Assessment for Course Placement

Saint Paul College is dedicated to supporting student development and success. The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System requires each college to implement a course placement policy that addresses how student knowledge and skills shall be assessed for course placement decisions, per Minnesota State System Procedure 3.3.1 Course Placement. Saint Paul College has established an assessment for course placement process to evaluate student preparedness for college-level coursework for all students seeking a degree, diploma, or certificate program. Students can be placed using a variety of measures.

Additional assessments may be necessary for admission into selected programs or placement into certain courses. Assessment for course placement results may indicate a need for developmental coursework in reading, writing, and/or math prior to entering the program major and/or prior to completion of specific courses in that program.

• Minnesota State Board Policy 3.3 Assessment for Course Placement
• Minnesota State Board Policy 1B.4 Access and Accommodation for Individuals with Disabilities
• Minn. Stat. § 120B.31 System Accountability and Statistical Adjustments
• Minn. Stat. § 136F.302 Regulating The Assignment of Students to Remedial Courses
• 2017 Session Law Chapter 89. Article 2. Section 25. Developmental Education Reform

Part 1. Purpose

To establish the College’s practices and procedures for assessment of students’ knowledge and skills for course placement.

Part 2. Definitions

ACT
A national standardized test designed to measure knowledge and skills in four areas: English, mathematics, reading and science. The test is offered by ACT Inc., is taken by an individual/student, and generally used by colleges and universities for college admissions.

ACCUPLACER
An adaptive test designed to measure knowledge and skills in reading, writing, and mathematics and used to assess student preparedness for introductory college-level courses. The test is offered by the College Board, is taken by an individual/student, and generally used by colleges and universities for course placement purposes. The term “ACCUPLACER” refers to the classic ACCUPLACER test while NGA refers to the Next-Generation ACCUPLACER test.

College-level courses
A college or university course that meets college-level standards. Credits earned in a college-level course apply toward the requirements of a certificate, diploma, or degree.

Developmental-level course
A course designed to prepare a student for entry into college-level courses. Developmental-level course credits do not apply toward a certificate, diploma, or degree. Developmental-level courses are numbered under 1000. 

Developmental models
Various models of curricula and student support approaches of delivering developmental education. Examples of models include, but are not limited to, traditional model of sequenced courses; co-requisite, where students are enrolled in a college-level introductory course and concurrently enrolled in a developmental-level course that provides additional support or receives additional supplemental support to the college-level course; a stretched college-level course that is extended over a longer period of time that allows for additional academic curricula and support; models that combine multiple developmental education levels into a single course; or models that compress the course content over a shorter period of time so that two levels of developmental education courses can be completed within one semester.

Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA)
The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCAs) and alternate assessments (MCA-Modified and MTAS) are the state tests designed to measure student progress toward Minnesota’s academic standards and meet the requirements of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The MCAs are administered in grades 3-8, 10th and 11th in the subject areas of reading, mathematics, and science. The MCA applicable to System Procedure 3.3.1 are the Grade 10 MCA Reading test and the Grade 11 MCA Mathematics test. Parents may opt out of MCA testing, pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 120B.31.

Placement
The upper limit of the coursework in a particular discipline a student is qualified to enroll in based on pre-identified measures and cut scores. Additional factors may increase the placement, such as the consideration of additional measures, campus appeals process, etc. Students must be given the opportunity to enroll in the corresponding college-level or developmental-level course based on their placement. Students cannot be required, but have the option, to enroll in a course lower than their placement.

SAT
A national standardized test designed to measure knowledge and skills in three areas: reading, writing, and mathematics. The test is offered by the College Board, is taken by an individual/student, and generally used by colleges and universities for college admissions.

System-endorsed placement instrument or measure
The course placement instrument or measure identified by Minnesota State as the instrument or measure used for course placement purposes at the colleges and universities.

Validation period
The period an acceptable placement score is valid for purposes of course placement.

Part 3. Placement Instruments

Subpart A. Acceptable placement measures
For students who present subject area test scores from the ACT, SAT, Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA), and the system-endorsed placement instrument (ACCUPLACER), Saint Paul College must use them to determine student course placement. When a course or program requires a specific level of reading, writing, or mathematics skill, the subject area test scores from these measures must be used to determine student placement in courses.

Saint Paul College shall not require students to have taken the ACT, SAT or MCA tests for course placement purposes. For students who have not taken these tests, or do not meet the exemptions in Part 6, Saint Paul College shall require students to take the system-endorsed instrument (ACCUPLACER) in the appropriate subject area.

Subpart B. System-endorsed placement instrument 
Effective July 1, 2016, the College Board ACCUPLACER is designated as the system-endorsed placement instrument. Saint Paul College shall evaluate students with the ACCUPLACER as specified in this procedure.

Subpart C. Assessment for course placement in a higher-level course 
Saint Paul College may use additional assessment measures in reading, writing or mathematics for placement into a course above the introductory college level only if the acceptable placement measures do not assess for placement into the higher-level course. These additional assessment measures must be administered at no cost to the student and be available as an opportunity to all students.

Subpart D. Assessment of students who are non-native speakers of English
A student who self-identifies as a non-native speaker of English must be evaluated for college readiness in the area of English language proficiency using one or more parts of the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) version of the system-endorsed placement instrument (ACCUPLACER). Saint Paul College may use additional measures (e.g., writing samples, oral interviews) to supplement the use of the Accuplacer ESOL tests for course placement purposes in ESOL.

Subpart E. Additional assessment measures 
For purposes other than placement in reading, writing, mathematics, or ESOL, Saint Paul College require additional measures (e.g., computer literacy, study skills inventories, occupational-related tests, or readiness for online courses) for advising and placement purposes. These additional assessment measures must be administered at no cost to the student and be available as an opportunity to all students.

Subpart F. Multiple measures for course placement
When a student does not meet college level scores on the acceptable measures, Saint Paul College may use additional measures to determine placement in reading, writing, or mathematics. These additional measures must be administered at no cost to the student and be available as an opportunity to all students.

Subpart G. Pilot Programs
Pursuant System Procedure 1A.1.2 – Pilot Programs, Saint Paul College may identify alternate measures or approaches in place of or in addition to the measures described above for purposes of an approved pilot. These measures and approaches may include—but are not limited to—cumulative high school grade point average and guided self-placement. Specific information about these pilot measures and/or approaches will be posted on the Saint Paul College website.

Part 5. ACCUPLACER Administration

Subpart A. ACCUPLACER testing and retesting process
Prior to testing, Saint Paul College shall inform students how their test score(s) will be used for course placement. When taking the ACCUPLACER for the first time, a student will be provided with a reasonable opportunity and time to review ACCUPLACER test materials, including a sample test. When course placement requires the student to take a developmental-level course, the student must be provided the opportunity to retest at the earliest time determined by the student when testing is available, including retesting during or after a student has taken a developmental-level course. Saint Paul College allows students to retest on the ACCUPLACER once in a calendar year. 

Subpart B. Student fees ACCUPLACER 
A student must not be charged a fee for the ACCUPLACER tests. Saint Paul College may charge a fee to a student who requests a retest of an ACCUPLACER subject area test.

Subpart C. Common background questions for collection of demographic data
Saint Paul College shall incorporate a set of System-established student demographic background questions into the assessment process.

Subpart D. Accommodations for ACCUPLACER testing
When requested in advance by a student through an authorized reasonable accommodation process, Saint Paul College shall provide students reasonable accommodations for ACCUPLACER testing.

Part 6. Criteria for Student Exemptions

Colleges and universities shall exempt students from course placement requirements under the criteria identified below.

Subpart A. Exemptions from course placement requirements
Students are exempted from submitting documentation of test scores from the ACT, SAT, or MCA or from taking the ACCUPLACER subject area tests based on;

1. enrollment exclusively in non-credit courses, or
2. documentation of successful completion of a college-level course in the area for which the course placement score is used, or
3. documentation of completion of an associate’s degree, a baccalaureate degree, or higher degree.
   
   Students may be exempted from submitting documentation of test scores from the ACT, SAT, or MCA or from taking the ACCUPLACER subject area tests based on;

1. documentation of completion of a diploma or certificate,
2. documentation of completion of postsecondary courses that indicates a high probability of success in the introductory college-level course for which a course placement score is required, or
3. documented participation in a System-endorsed course placement pilot utilizing alternate measures or approaches.

Subpart B. Exemptions from the ACCUPLACER
A student who does not obtain the minimum course placement subject area scores from the ACT, SAT, or MCA is required to take the ACCUPLACER tests for course placement purposes when a course, program, or college/university policy indicates a requirement for a specific level of reading, writing, or mathematics skills. However, a student must be exempted from taking all or portions of the ACCUPLACER based on documentation of:

1. Reading and writing subject area ACCUPLACER scores from any college or university, within five calendar years, inclusive of the current calendar year.
2. Mathematics subject area ACCUPLACER scores from any college or university, within two calendar years, inclusive of the current calendar year.
   
   A student may be exempted from taking all or portions of the ACCUPLACER based on documentation of placement scores from an alternate instrument, providing that placements can be determined by using the placement levels of the alternative instrument, within the validation period.

Subpart C. Course Placement Decisions
A student may be exempted from course placement decisions that are based on assessment scores according to institutionally-based criteria. In addition, students may request a re-evaluation of their initial course placement decisions once in a calendar year. Students looking to request a re-evaluation of their initial course placement should work with their Pathway Advisor to determine their eligibility and next steps.

Part 7. System Minimum Course Placement Scores
Saint Paul College students who obtain the minimum subject area test score from any of the acceptable measures as indicated in the following subparts and are within the acceptable measures validation period must be given a placement into the corresponding college-level course(s) when a course, program, or college policy indicates a requirement for a specific level of reading, writing, or mathematics skills.

Subpart A. Placement based on ACT subject area test scores
A student who obtains the following minimum ACT subject area scores or higher based on documentation of subject area test scores on the ACT test taken within five calendar years, inclusive of the current calendar year, for reading, writing, and mathematics must be given a placement of college-level that allows for enrollment in the corresponding college-level course(s). The student must not be required to take all or the associated portion(s) of the ACCUPLACER.

1. Reading. A student who presents a reading subject area test score of 21 or higher must be given a placement of college-level that allows for enrollment in courses that designate college-level reading skills as a prerequisite.
2. Writing. A student who presents an English subject area test score of 18 or higher must be given a placement of college-level that allows for enrollment in a college-level writing course and in courses that designate college-level writing skills as a prerequisite.
3. Mathematics. A student who presents a mathematics subject area test score of 22 or higher must be given a placement of college-level that allows for enrollment in College Algebra.

Subpart B. Placement based on SAT subject area test scores
A student who obtains the following minimum SAT subject area scores or higher based on documentation of subject area test scores on the SAT test taken within five calendar years, inclusive of the current calendar year, for reading, writing, and mathematics must be given a placement of college-level that allows for enrollment in the corresponding college-level course(s). The student must not be required to take all or the associated portion(s) of the ACCUPLACER.

1. Reading: A student who presents an evidence-based reading and writing (ERW) subject area test score of 480 or higher must be given a placement of college-level that allows for enrollment in courses that designate college-level reading skills as a prerequisite.
2. Writing: A student who presents an evidence-based reading and writing (ERW) subject area test score of 480 or higher must be given a placement of college-level that allows for enrollment in a college-level writing course and in courses that designate college-level writing skills as a prerequisite.
3. Mathematics: A student who presents a mathematics subject area test score of 530 or higher must be given a placement of college-level that allows for enrollment in College Algebra.

Subpart C. Placement based on MCA subject area test scores
A student who obtains the following minimum Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments (MCA) subject area scores or higher based on documentation of subject area test scores on the MCA test taken within five calendar years, inclusive of the current calendar year, for reading and mathematics must be given a placement of college-level that allows for enrollment in the corresponding college-level course(s). The student must not be required to take all or associated portion(s) of the ACCUPLACER.

1. Reading: A student who presents an MCA Reading score of 1047 or higher must be given a placement of college-level that allows for enrollment in courses that designate college-level reading skills as a prerequisite.
   1. Additional college readiness measures will be needed for a student who presents an MCA Reading score ranging 1042-1046 to determine appropriate course placement.
   2. A student who presents an MCA Reading score of 1041 or below must be placed in courses that designate developmental education level unless additional information indicates differently.
2. College-Algebra: A student who wants to take College Algebra and presents an MCA Mathematics score of 1158 or higher must be given a placement of college-level that allows for enrollment in College Algebra.
   1. Additional college readiness measures will be needed for a student who presents an MCA Mathematics score ranging 1152-1157 to determine if the student can be placed into College Algebra.
   2. A student who presents an MCA Mathematics score of 1151 or below cannot be placed in College Algebra unless additional information indicates differently.
3. Statistics: A student who wants to take college-level statistics where the course is offered and presents an MCA Mathematics score of 1148 or higher must be given a placement of college-level that allows for enrollment in an introductory college-level statistics course.
   1. Additional college readiness measures will be needed for a student who presents an MCA Mathematics score ranging 1146-1147 to determine if the student can be placed into college level statistics.
   2. A student who presents an MCA Mathematics score of 1145 or below cannot be placed in college-level statistics unless additional information indicates differently.
4. Liberal Arts Mathematics: A student who wants to take Liberal Arts Mathematics where the course is offered and presents an MCA Mathematics score of 1150 or higher must be given a placement of college-level that allows for enrollment in an introductory college-level liberal arts mathematics course.
   1. Additional college readiness measures will be needed for a student who presents an MCA Mathematics score ranging 1146-1149 to determine if the student can be placed into Liberal Arts Mathematics.

A student who presents an MCA Mathematics score of 1145 or below cannot be placed in Liberal Arts Mathematics unless additional information indicates differently.

Subpart D. Placement based on ACCUPLACER (a.k.a. classic) and Next Generation ACCUPLACER (NGA) scores
As of March 1, 2018, the following course placements based on the NGA or the ACCUPLACER subtest scores indicate that a student is ready for introductory college-level courses. A student who obtains the minimum score or higher on either the NGA or the ACCUPLACER within five calendar years, inclusive of the current calendar year, for reading and writing and within two calendar years, inclusive of the current calendar year, for mathematics must be placed in the corresponding college-level course(s). Students who score lower than a college-level score must be given a preliminary placement of developmental-level in the respective discipline area, which may be revised based on consideration of additional measure(s). Students who receive placement in college-level courses may choose to enroll in developmental-level courses.

1. Reading: A student who scores 250 or higher on the NGA Reading test, or a student who scores 78 or higher on the ACCUPLACER Reading Comprehension test, must be given a placement of college-level that allows for enrollment in courses that designate college-level reading skills as a prerequisite.
2. Writing: A student who scores 250 or higher on the NGA Reading test, or a student who scores 78 or higher on the ACCUPLACER Reading Comprehension test, must be given a placement of college-level that allows for enrollment in a college-level writing course and in courses that designate college-level writing skills as a prerequisite. However, if a college or university chooses to use the ACCUPLACER Sentence Skills test as an additional placement measure, a student who scores 78 or higher on the ACCUPLACER Reading Comprehension test and 86 or higher on the ACCUPLACER Sentence Skills test must be given a placement in college-level writing courses.
3. Mathematics:
   1. College Algebra: A student who scores a 250 or higher on the NGA Advanced Algebra and Functions test must be given a placement of college-level that allows for enrollment in College Algebra. Placement into College Algebra on the ACCUPLACER mathematics tests must be based on two test scores. A student must score 76 or higher on the ACCUPLACER Elementary Algebra Test and also must score 50 or higher on the ACCUPLACER College Level Mathematics test. A student attaining the minimum scores on both ACCUPLACER tests must be given a placement of college-level that allows for enrollment in College Algebra.
   2. A college or university may use a course placement score from the ACCUPLACER Intermediate Algebra test for placement into College Algebra.
   3. A college or university may establish lower minimum score(s) for both the NGA and ACCUPLACER tests for placement into introductory college-level mathematics courses other than College Algebra and for developmental mathematics courses.

Subpart E. Course placement scores for developmental-level courses based on ACCUPLACER (a.k.a. classic) and Next Generation ACCUPLACER (NGA) scores

1. Reading and Writing: A student who scores in the range 225-239 on the NGA Reading test, or a student who scores in the range of 38-59 on the ACCUPLACER Reading Comprehension test, must be given a placement of reading and writing 1. A student who scores in the range 240-249 on the NGA Reading test, or a student who scores in the range of 60-77 on the ACCUPLACER Reading Comprehension test, must be given a placement of reading and writing 2.
2. Mathematics:
   Each college and university may set course placement scores lower than the minimum scores established in Procedure 3.3.1 for developmental-level courses. Students who score lower than a college-level score and are given placement into developmental-level must enroll in developmental courses or models.

Subpart F. Course placement scores for advanced courses
Each college and university may set course placement scores higher than the minimum scores established in Procedure 3.3.1 for college-level courses that are beyond the introductory college level.
 
Part 9. Ongoing Reporting on Course Placement

Subpart A. Entering data
Saint Paul College shall enter placement data into the student information system according to the standards of Minnesota State, including the following:

• Placement test results,
• Course placement, and
• Student responses to system-approved and required demographic questions asked at the time of assessment.

Subpart B. Annual report on additional measures or evidence used
Saint Paul College shall report on an annual basis the use of additional measures or evidence to supplement the use of the acceptable placement measures for course placement in reading, writing, or mathematics as indicated in Minnesota State Procedure 3.3.1 Part 4, Subpart F and Part 6, Subpart C. Upon request, colleges and universities shall provide additional data on course placement to the Minnesota State system office.