Assessment Placement and Remediation with ALEKS By Roger

Assessment, Placement, and Remediation with ALEKS By Roger M. Goldwyn

Assessment • ALEKS assessment for “first time in college” students – Cover from Intermediate Algebra to Calculus 1 – 8 elements of the PIE (sub-scores) – For each element of the PIE, what score should be required to enter a particular course • Permit multiple attempts for assessment • “Learning” available for College Algebra and Preparation for Calculus

The Process • Student access ALEKS through My. FAU • Record in Banner – Results for each element of the PIE – Total score – Time spent • Multiple attempts recorded – Highest score used for placement – ALEKS must be current • Within the last 5 months

Taking the Tests • Over 5000 assessments – Around 1% tried to improve their scores using the Learning modules – About 10% took the assessment more than once • Over 98% of these took it 2 times • 50% of the retakes were within a week • ALEKS total score improved by 20 points – Not reasonable! – Less improvement for exponents-logs and trig elements of the PIE

Placement 2008 -2009 • Determined an ideal score for entrance to a particular course – Sub-score objectives – Validated with course coordinators – Used 70% of this total score as minimum for entrance – Anticipate increasing this gradually as we analyze outcomes – Input for registration system

Registration • Registration for a course requires – Meeting course prerequisites OR – Having acceptable ALEKS placement score • We “suggest” that all students take ALEKS assessment before registering • Detailed results on ALEKS available for guidance – Including which questions a student took for the assessment and the student response on each

Outcomes • Increased ALEKS => Lower DFW • Lower “cut-score” => Less prepared => Higher DFW – So, adjust “cut-score” • Need to look at the time to take assessment • Need to look at the sub-scores

Remediation • Calculus 1 for Engineers (MAC 2253) – Allowed to register if >= 50 on ALEKS – Must reach 80 within 1 week • Ensures must know “something” about exponentials-logarithms and trig • Essentially the first chapter in the calculus book • Counts in their grade (e. g. an exam) • Most students perform • Calculus 2 for Engineers (MAC 2254) – Must reach 90 within 1 week