Reports

Implementing and Scaling Multiple Measures Assessment in the Context of COVID-19

Bickerstaff, Susan E.; Kopko, Elizabeth Mary; Lewy, Erika B.; Raufman, Julia; Rutschow, Elizabeth Zachry

State systems have played an increasingly prominent role in encouraging community colleges to implement effective developmental education reforms, and some states have begun to recommend or require multiple measures assessment for placement. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic unexpectedly created opportunities for state systems to facilitate institutional adoption of multiple measures assessment. In spring 2020, as large numbers of colleges across the nation moved to remote learning and work, it was often infeasible to continue offering in-person, proctored placement tests. Institutions sought out new ways to assess and place students. This brief discusses four states—Indiana, Virginia, Texas, and Washington—that supported large-scale changes to placement practices, with greater emphasis on multiple measures.

Based on interviews with system leaders and college administrators, faculty, and staff in these states, the authors of the brief present four short case studies that summarize how each state changed its placement policies and supported colleges in reaction to the pandemic. The brief addresses common multiple measures assessment implementation challenges such as facilitating buy-in; providing implementation support; combatting initiative fatigue; and establishing data-informed evaluation processes.

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More About This Work

Academic Units
Community College Research Center
Publisher
Community College Research Center, Teachers College, Columbia University
Series
CAPR Reports
Published Here
October 1, 2021