Towards a new framework for measurement in higher education admissions decision-making

Session Type: Coordinated Paper Session

Abstract

Postsecondary admissions is a process whereby schools determine what they value (i.e., the desired skills and traits of their student body), and measure applicants accordingly. In the U.S., the admissions process is experiencing two major paradigm shifts affecting how students are evaluated; the recent Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action joins the pandemic and accompanying escalation of test-optional and holistic approaches to admissions in greatly changing what schools can measure about applicants, and how. With these shifts comes the opportunity to reflect on the changes that are occurring and to consider the best way forward for higher education admissions – how can schools measure in ways that meet their goals fairly and equitably? In this session, we explore student and admissions professionals’ perspectives on testing in admissions and examine the evidence that has been collected so far on the effects of test-optional admissions. We also explore the well-used but less well-defined term “holistic admissions,” bringing this concept and associated practices into focus and laying out best practices for the holistic measurement of applicants to higher education institutions. Discussion will center on measurement insights for admissions practices, and potential innovations for the new admissions landscape.

Sub Unit

• Individual Papers, Innovation Demonstrations, Coordinated Sessions, or Organized Discussions

Session Organizer

• Marisol Kevelson, Educational Testing Service

Chair

• Sara Haviland, ETS

Individual Presentations

• Graduate School Admissions Professional, Applicant, and Faculty Perspectives on Admissions Tests - Sara Haviland, ETS; Marisol Kevelson, Educational Testing Service; Michael E. Walker, HumRRO; jose de jesus sotelo, Educational Testing Service (ETS)

• Is Test-optional Enough for Equity? - Reginald M Gooch, Educational Testing Services; Vinetha Belur, vbelur@ets.org; Sara Haviland, ETS; Ou Lydia Liu, ETS

• Unlocking Holistic Admissions: Scan of Criteria and Procedures used in Graduate Degree Programs - Teresa Ober, ETS; Olasumbo Oluwalana, Educational Testing Service; Huidi Yang, NYU; Reginald M Gooch, Educational Testing Services

• In theory and practice: Exploring how admissions officers define and experience holistic admissions - Sara Haviland, ETS; Vinetha Belur, vbelur@ets.org

Discussant

• Joseph Paris, West Chester University