High School Factors Contributing to College Readiness as Measured by the ACCUPLACER Placement Test

• In Event: Poster Session 15
  In Poster Session: Poster Fair B: Data Use and Research in the Schools

Abstract

This study used Conley’s college readiness model to identify high school factors, academic and behavioral, that predicted ACCUPLACER scores for 2011 graduates in Maryland. The findings suggested that assessment-based predictors explained a greater proportion of variance of ACCUPLACER scores. The predictors were the ACCUPLACER Diagnostics test, High School Assessment, Grade 10 PSAT/NMSQT, and the Grade 8 Maryland School Assessment in Reading. Two other factors—high school course rigor and weighted grade point average—also were significant predictors of ACCUPLACER scores. Based on the study, researchers recommended the administration of ACCUPLACER Diagnostic test to students in Grade 11. This, along with monitoring multiple academic and behavioral measures, may address any college readiness deficiencies a student may have before entering college.

Authors

• Shihching Liu, Montgomery County Public Schools

• Julie Wade, Montgomery County Public Schools