Selection on Noncognitive Traits: Possibilities for Community College Students

• In Event: Innovative Approaches to Developmental Education

Abstract

We explore possibilities for placing community college students in math using non-cognitive measures, such as indicators of motivation or students’ college plans. We first evaluate student outcomes in two large urban community colleges in California where non-cognitive measures were factored into placement rules. We then use data gathered during placement testing in nine colleges to assess whether utilizing non-cognitive measures can improve placement accuracy. Preliminary results show that using non-cognitive measures in addition to traditional placement tests broadens access to higher-level courses without compromising the likelihood of success.

Authors

• Federick Joseph Ngo, University of Southern California

• Elizabeth Park, University of Southern California

• W. Edward Chi, University of Southern California