This brief presents a review of research and current state practices as they relate to measures that Iowa might consider for its federal accountability indicator of school quality or student success--specifically, for inclusion within a composite index of postsecondary readiness. Section 1 of this brief introduces a framework for evaluating and…

This paper explores the factors of freshman year college retention by using a unique data set tracking the participation of a cohort of 1,800 students in a public state college system through 2011 from their freshman enrollment at a community college in 2006. The focus is on prevalent factors in the college retention literature, including…

Describes a study examining the relationship between scores on a Sentence Skills component of an English placement test and final course grades in a community college marketing course. Finds a significant positive correlation between scores and final grades, but one not strong enough to be used for predictive purposes. (13 citations) (BCY)

Presents an analysis of the correlation between computerized placement test scores and subsequent academic performance for 74 2-year college students. Finds a low correlation between scores and course pass rates. Suggests that other qualitative measures be employed in addition to computerized testing to assess students. (12 citations) (BCY)

This paper recounts the use of a computerized multiple-measures placement model at Yuba College in Marysville, California. Yuba began using computerized placement tests in 1994, based on suggestions from faculty and student assessment staff. Two years later, a set of multiple measures criteria, consisting mainly of self-reported high school…

This report outlines the program structures and faculty/staff roles of a developmental learning community (LC) initiative at Hillsborough Community College, Ybor Campus (Florida). The program consists of educational structures that link existing developmental courses and curriculum materials to a central theme: the importance of technology…

This study examined the effects of high school course choices, grades, and Grade Ten Assessment Test scores (GTAT) in math and reading, along with race and gender, on student performance on a computerized placement test (CPT) administered upon entry to community colleges in Florida. The sample consisted of 19,736 African-American, white, and…

Concerned with the failure of multiple choice tests to measure composition--as opposed to grammar and usage--skills, college researchers studied the value of using writing samples to place students in composition classes. Evaluating the writing samples of 300 incoming freshmen, they did not find a high correlation between sample scores and…

Transcripts of 19,736 students who consecutively attended Florida high schools for four years and graduated in the spring of 1994 were analyzed to determine how course choice, grades, tenth grade standardized test score results, race, and gender affected performance on a computerized placement test (CPT) administered upon entry to community…