Course Placement Assessment
Stage 5

Assessment Activities

Assessment Methods

Comparative study of student placement testing data

Assessment DescriptionBased on findings of a study of English Placement Test cut-scores conducted by the English Dept and Assessment Coordinator in 2011-2012, the English Dept lowered cut-scores for student placement into 5 of 6 course levels, effective with the pre-Fall 2012 English placement process. In Sp 2013, the Matriculation Office (Assessment Coordintor) facilitated a follow-up study examining the comparative success rates of students who had placed into English courses of the basis of old vs. new cut-scores. The College Researcher produced a report comparing the grades and overall success rates per course placement level. His findings demonstrated that there were no significant differences in overall success rates per level, a positive outcome.
OutcomesA possible result of lowering the English placement test cut-scores could have been that a greater number of unprepared students would have been recommended to enroll in English course levels that they would not likely pass. This was not the case, however -- overall pass rates per placement level did not change significantly, though at the lower levels there were higher percentages of Cs and lower percentages of As & Bs. This was an appropriate change that we had hoped the lowering of cut-scores would produce. The English Department and Matriculation Office will conduct ongoing studies of the appropriateness of English Placement Test cut-scores. The Assessment Coordinator coordinates these studies for English, ESL and Math placement processes.
Number of Staff~3
Number of ConstituentsN/A

Data Analysis

Data Shared With
  • Employees within our department
  • Employees from related programs/departments
Data Sharing Methods
  • Face-to-face meetings
  • Email
  • Phone
Data SummaryPass rates of students placed by Old vs. New cut-scores. (The College Researcher did not find any differences to be significant):

ENGL 1A

Old: 71%

New 69%

ENGL 96

Old: 70%

New: 71%

ENGL 93

Old: 67%

New: 73%

ENGL 92

Old: 70%

New 69%

ENGL 91

Old 60%

New 57%
Data AnalysisIn June 2012, the English Placement Test received renewed approval from the State Chancellor's Office for use as a test in the CCSF Placement Assessment Process. A Spring 2013 study of the revised (lowered) cut-scores demonstrates appropriate placement recommendations. The Matriculation Office, English Department, and College Researcher have closed the loop on their assessment of the validity of the English Placement Test, the primary measure in the English course placement process. Evaluation of the validity of the English, ESL and Math placement processes is ongoing.
Next Steps Planned
  • Evaluation of the validity of the English
  • ESL and Math placement processes is ongoing. Documentation of studies examining validity, reliability, possible test bias and disproportionate impact is due to the State Chancellor's Office every six years, though local studies and analysis occur more frequently.
Learning Outcomes

Refer to previous answers.

Tentative Future Assessment Plans

Assessment TermFall 2013
Assessment Activities
  • Assessment (measurement) of outcomes
  • Analysis and discussion of assessment data and next steps
  • Implementation of planned changes and reassessment
Assessment DetailsData collection and analysis will occur to evaluate the validity, reliability, and any disproportionate impact of the credit ESL Placement Test. Documentation of the studies is due to the State Chancellor's Office in November 2013.

SLO Details Storage Location

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