Assessing Incoming Students' Academic Readiness

Illinois Institutions of Higher Education Placement Processes

The following survey will ask you to provide information regarding your institution's placement processes. The purpose of the survey is to gather data from Institutions of Higher Education in Illinois to compare assessment processes and gather information about best practices. This data will be shared with participating institutions upon request. Please contact Carolyn Petsche (carolyn.pesche@highland.edu) or Kate Perkins (kate.perkins@highland.edu) with questions or for more information. Thank you in advance for your participation.

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* 1. At your institution, who is responsible for the assessment of incoming student skills? Why was this person/group chosen as the responsible party?

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* 2. Does this person/group also select instruments and determine cut scores?

Yes

If no, please explain who does select/determine them.

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* 3. What instruments or measures does your institution use to assess students’ math and literacy skills (ex: placement tests, diagnostics, etc.)? What are the cut scores for reading, writing, and mathematics for these measures?

Instruments/Measures

Reading Cut Scores

Writing Cut Scores

Mathematics Cut Scores

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* 4. Does your institution use the “Next Generation” version of Accuplacer?

Yes

If yes, will you please give your cut scores for reading, writing, and mathematics?

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* 5. What processes were used to determine the cut scores your institution uses for its placement instruments?

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* 6. How does your institution assess the validity of its cut scores?

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* 7. What type of assessment does your institution use to assess writing skills?

Produce a writing sample

Multiple choice testing

Other (please specify)

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* 8. How often are your institution's placement measures reassessed to address the frequently-changing literacy needs of students?

Yearly

Every 2-3 years

Every 4-5 years

Every 6+ years

Do you have any additional comments about this question?

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* 9. How are qualifying cut scores shared with prospective students, feeder schools, and other external constituents?

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* 10. How long do placement scores remain in effect?

1 year

2-3 years

4-5 years

6+ years

Other (please specify)/Additional comments

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* 11. At your institution, what opportunities are available to students who wish to prepare to take the placement exam?

Summer bridge programs

Prep sessions

Practice manuals

Mobile apps

Other (please specify)

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* 12. Do students have the ability to retake the placement exam at your institution?

Yes

If yes, how long must students wait to retake it?

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* 13. Are potential students charged a fee to take the placement exam at your institution?

Yes

Please explain. (What is the fee? etc.)

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* 14. Please describe the testing environment in which your students take their placement exam.

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* 15. Does your institution provide placement testing in its feeder schools?

Yes

If yes, please describe those testing environments.

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* 16. How does your institution explain the function of placement tests and their possible consequences to students prior to testing?

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* 17. After students at your institution take the placement test, when do they receive their placement results?

Right away

Within one week

Within two weeks

Within one month

Other (please specify)

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* 18. How are your students advised of the consequences of their resulting placement scores and by whom?

How are students advised?

Who advises students?

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* 19. How does your institution use placement data?

How is it used?

Who sees it?

How does it inform instruction, curriculum development, and/or program evaluation?

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* 1. At your institution, who is responsible for the assessment of incoming student skills? Why was this person/group chosen as the responsible party?

Question Title

* 2. Does this person/group also select instruments and determine cut scores?

Question Title

* 3. What instruments or measures does your institution use to assess students’ math and literacy skills (ex: placement tests, diagnostics, etc.)? What are the cut scores for reading, writing, and mathematics for these measures?

Question Title

* 4. Does your institution use the “Next Generation” version of Accuplacer?

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* 5. What processes were used to determine the cut scores your institution uses for its placement instruments?

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* 6. How does your institution assess the validity of its cut scores?

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* 7. What type of assessment does your institution use to assess writing skills?

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* 8. How often are your institution's placement measures reassessed to address the frequently-changing literacy needs of students?

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* 9. How are qualifying cut scores shared with prospective students, feeder schools, and other external constituents?

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* 10. How long do placement scores remain in effect?

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* 11. At your institution, what opportunities are available to students who wish to prepare to take the placement exam?

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* 12. Do students have the ability to retake the placement exam at your institution?

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* 13. Are potential students charged a fee to take the placement exam at your institution?

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* 14. Please describe the testing environment in which your students take their placement exam.

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* 15. Does your institution provide placement testing in its feeder schools?

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* 16. How does your institution explain the function of placement tests and their possible consequences to students prior to testing?

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* 17. After students at your institution take the placement test, when do they receive their placement results?

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* 18. How are your students advised of the consequences of their resulting placement scores and by whom?

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* 19. How does your institution use placement data?

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* 20. What is the name of your institution?

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* 21. How large is your institution (how many FT students enrolled)?

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* 22. What is your role in your institution?