Tests in Use in California Community Colleges: Standardized Tests Most Used for Placement in English, Reading, ESL, and Math.

In 1982, a survey of California community colleges was conducted to determine which standardized tests were being used at entrance to college for matriculation and/or placement and to ascertain how satisfied users were with the instruments. Surveys were sent to administrators or staff involved with entrance and assessment practices at 106 California cpmmunity colleges, asking them to indicate (1) which instruments were accepted op required for entrance, and which were used for placement into writing, reading, English as a Second Language (ESL), and math programs; and (2) their level of satisfaction with each instrument. Study findings, based on responses from 99 colleges, revealed: (1).general aptitdde tests were required at entrance for full-time students by only 20 colleges and were recommended by 19 schools; (2) the American College Test (ACT) and the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) were mentioned more often than any other tests for entrance assessment, though only,two of the colleges required ACT scores and only one required SAT scores from applicants; (3) assessment for English placement was required by 56% of the colleges, for reading placement by 32%, for math placement by 25%, and for ESL placement by 20%; and (4) the Comparative Guidance and Placement Test was the most used testing batteryand the one with which respondents were most satisfied. (NN) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from ‘the original document. *********************************************************************** REMEDIAL PLApEmEmT, p1 TESTS IN USE IN CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY COLLEGES: Standardized Tests Most Used for Placement in English, Reading, ESL, and Math Jeanine C. Rounds, Ed.D. Director, Special Projects/Contract Instruction Yuba College Dan Andersen, Ph.D. Association Dean, College of Education dERM15;10N TO HE PFIODUC’,E THIS. MATERIAL HAS EWEN GRANTED BY J. C.