The Multiple Measures Placement System

Research shows that using only test scores to place students in remediation—the typical method—is correlated with over-placement, which can lead to unnecessary time and expense spent on the pursuit of a degree. To combat this, researchers from the Center for the Analysis of Postsecondary Readiness (CAPR) and staff from seven State University of New York (SUNY) community colleges collaborated to develop a data analytics system for making remedial education placement decisions using multiple postsecondary and high school measures.

 Barnett and colleagues (2018) conducted a study that examined the initial effects of the multiple measures placement system on college credits earned and students initially enrolling in and passing a course with a grade C or better. This is an interim report and additional, long-term outcomes will be described in future reports.

Study findings. The study found that, after one semester, use of the multiple measures placement system had statistically significant positive impacts on credit hours earned, the percentage of students who pass a course with a grade C or better, and the percentage of students who subsequently enroll in a course. Based on the interim report, the WWC was able to confirm that the impact on percentage of students who pass a course with a grade C or better was statistically significant. This early evidence suggests that the new placement system leads to better placement decisions within participating community colleges.    

WWC study rating. The study used a randomized controlled trial design and meets WWC standards without reservations. Access the full study review here,