RE: Placement exams

["Cozzens, Christine" <ccozzens@agnesscott.edu>]

We have instituted an interesting substitute for placement exams for the
developmental course that works well for our size and mission.  The tests
were a pain to mark, and some students resented the idea that "one shot"
determined their class placement.  I was tired of having some students in my
course who resented being placed there while others who also needed the help
weren't placed in it but wanted to be.  Noticing over the years that the SAT
scores for the most part did tend to predict students who would need help
with writing, I decided to abandon our writing sample type placement test.
Instead, we sent letters to the 60 students with the lowest SAT scores (and
ACT and TOEFL) inviting them to be in the course.  I made it sound inviting
but I also realistically described it as the "extra help" course.  55 out of
60 sent reply cards back saying they wanted in (the course has a no credit
lab, so it requires extra hours of their time); we hade 18 places at best!
This year we sent out 35 invitations and got about 30 yesses.  I took the
neediest, which I determined after reviewing their admissions files.  But
the key to all of this is that I got a class full of 18 students who both
needed the help and wanted to be there.  The dynamics of the class and my
outlook on teaching have changed dramatically for the better.  The course
has the reputation of being a great and fun alternative for those who really
want to get  this writing thing straight--that's what I want them to see it
as, not a "punish lesson."  I realize this might not work for other schools
and situations, but I strongly recommend adding some element of student
choice or selection to the placement process.  It makes all the difference
in attitude for some of the students--the ones who can make your life
miserable with their resentment, even though I am always happy when (if. .
.) I finally break through.  

Christine S. Cozzens
404-471-6221 (for ASC ext. 6221)
Center for Writing and Speaking
Department of English
Agnes Scott College
141 E. College Ave.
Decatur, GA 30030

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	cabrown@UTARLG.UTA.EDU [SMTP:cabrown@UTARLG.UTA.EDU]
> Sent:	Thursday, September 10, 1998 6:26 PM
> To:	ccozzens@agnesscott.edu
> Subject:	Placement exams
> 
> 
> 
> The First Year English Program here at the University of Texas at
> Arlington is considering the efficacy of implementing a placement exam in
> order to identify students who would be better served in a developmental
> course, an ESL course, or an advanced course.  The First Year English
> committee (of which I am a member) asked me to ask those of you who have
> been involved with placement testing to give us a general sense of the
> pros and cons.  Any and all advice welcome. . . .
> 
> Cheryl Brown
> Writing Center Director
> UTA