Support Centralized Assessment Instrument with Local Cut Scores for Placement

Fall
2011
Resolution Number
13.03
 
Contact
Assigned to
Noncredit, Pre-Transfer, & Continuing Education Committee
Category
General Concerns
Status
Completed
Status Report

Chair to provide a description for website prior to removal to remove from the spreadsheet.

Whereas, California community colleges use an array of assessment for placement instruments, potentially resulting in duplicative costs and the needless retesting of students;

Whereas, The use of a standardized assessment for placement instrument for all community colleges would ensure the portability of assessment scores, yet permit local determination of cut scores, application of multiple measures, and additional assessment measures (e.g., a written component for an English placement);

Whereas, Increased interest in innovative approaches to basic skills curricular offerings highlights the importance of allowing course placements to be determined at the local level in support of local curricular practices; and

Whereas, California community colleges must identify appropriate ways to leverage resources in a manner that better serves students and increases the spending power of the state’s dollars, and a centralized common assessment is a viable option for accomplishing this goal;

Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges maintain the importance of faculty primacy with respect to the use of assessment for placement scores and the application of multiple measures; and

Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges support the establishment of a centralized standard assessment as an option provided there is a local determination of cut scores for placement and encourage local academic senates to support selection of this assessment option for local use.

MSC