Examining Factors Associated With Student Choice of Assessment Subtest in Determining Developmental Math Placement

• In Event: 60.084 - Roundtable Session 20
  In Roundtable Session: 60.084-10 - STEM Issues in Higher Education

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to investigate the factors related to students’ choice of assessment sub-test, and the extent to which this choice is related to their math placement and success in their initial course of the math sequence. We use data from a single community college using the Mathematics Diagnostic Testing Project (MDTP) assessment test and that allow students to choose their sub-test. The sample includes 8,838 students who were assessed and enrolled in the college between summer 2005 and spring 2008. Results indicate that students’ past academic experience are strongly associated with choice of sub-test. Findings also suggest that choice of sub-test has a direct relationship with students’ placement and success in their referred course.

Authors

• Kristen Erin Fong, University of Southern California

• Tatiana Melguizo, University of Southern California