The University of Guam’s english placement test team has seen significant improvements in student placement scores within the past 8 years. According to Teresita Perez, Professor and english placement test coordinator, college readiness initiatives have definitely played an influential role in score improvements.

History
Placement tests are utilized to sufficiently place students at their ideal academic skill level. UOG has traditionally used human scoring to grade the english placement tests which consists of two parts. Students are required to construct an essay in response to a given prompt under the essay portion within and fill in the blanks under the clozed section.

“One size does not fit all” says Sharleen Santos-Bamba, Ph.D, and UOG CLASS associate dean. Standardized placement tests may be a good test but is it the best test for our local population aks Santos-Bamba. The prompts that are used for the UOG placement tests are written by locals who can relate to students in a way that standardized tests lack.

Because prompts are formed around cultural issues, students have more leeway to respond with clear examples that they are familiar with. This allows students more confidence to write a well written essay and score higher explains Santos-Bamba.

“We try to have topics that our students are familiar with and can relate to because that’s the best way to get someone to write about something. Those are things they can respond to with confidence and that’s really important when we look at assessments” said Santos-Bamba.

Human Scoring
Essays are graded by a carefully selected team that looks at how effective the writer structured and supported their thesis with evidence.

“Its a lot of work to do human scoring. You need a body to go in and read the 600 essays. And it is more expensive but our administration continues to support it as long as we can sustainably do so” shares Santos-Bamba.

The tests go through a double blind grading system where two members read over the essay and default to a third party if the concluding placement differs.

“Open enrollment will always have placement benefits of human scoring. They treat the test taker as a human with all the complexities that come with writing and critical thinking” says Perez “With artificial intelligence you can’t have that.”

Online
The English placement team has piloted an online version of the English placement test last Fall 2017. With these results the team plans to refine the test and make it a viable option for students from neighboring islands. Local students will also have the opportunity to test online if they reserve a slot.

College Readiness Initiatives
The UOG english composition team has conducted college readiness programs and outreach at local high schools since 2010.

“These initiatives started around the time teachers from the high schools reached out to us asking what they could do to help their students place into the college level.” says Chris Garcia, Professor of english composition.

Professors from the UOG composition department spoke to instructors on college writing expectations. They explained to teachers what their students could expect on the placement exams and how they can better prepare them for it.

“Because of that interest [from teachers], we got to see the quality improve over time. More and more students placed higher within the past 7-8 years.” said Garcia.

EN109
EN085 and EN100 have been eliminated as a result of higher placement scores, creating EN109 in their place. This four credit course allows students to refresh basic english skills. If students excel through EN109, they have the opportunity to go straight into EN111.

EN109 focuses on developing thesis driven essays and studying the types of evidence that are used to support those claims. They also work on composing sentences that use academic conventions says Garcia.

Looking Forward
College readiness initiatives can positively influence placement scores as we have seen within recent semesters. The University of Guam continues to cultivate a relationship with local high schools. The English department has already administered placement tests at the schools and spoke of opportunities such as dual enrollment and writing camps said Perez. Getting students familiar with higher education expectations will better prepare them for college success.