ii. Assessment and Placement
1.
Describe the target student audience, including an estimate of the annual number of students to be
assessed, and a description of who will be required to be assessed. Describe the methods by which
assessment and placement services will be delivered. Describe any partnerships among colleges or with
high school districts, workforce agencies, or other community partners that assist with providing
assessment and placement. Describe at what point(s) in the student’s academic pathway assessment
and placement are provided (while still in high school, summer, during registration, etc.).
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Los Angeles Valley College assesses approximately 4,000 students annually in English and math.
Our target student audience is new incoming and returning students.
The students required to assess will new students. This may include students outside of the Los
Angeles Community College District.
LAVC would like to create future partnerships with LAUSD through the Advance College
Enrollment (ACE) program. We also have a partnership with STEM grant students.
LAVC provides the assessment pathway on a year-round basis. We assess high school students’
off-campus at their high schools. We have our highest volume just before registration.
Assessments/placements are proctored on-site for all students or off-site at our local high
schools or community centers using our computerized assessment tool. This will enable
students with immediate assessment results.
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2.
Identify the staff providing assessment services, including the number of positions, job titles and a brief
one-sentence statement of their role. Include staff providing direct assessment related research
services.
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3.
Assessment Coordinator (Student Services Specialist)
o Responsible for the overall administration and coordination all assessments
and manages the office. Sits on SSSP committee and works with the
Assessment Workgroup on improving students’ assessment experience.
Senior Exam Proctor
o Proctors’ English and math assessments.
Career Guidance Counseling Assistants
o Assist in scheduling and proctoring English and math assessment at our local
high schools for new incoming students.
Program Assistants
o Assist, monitor and check-in students at the assessment center.
Research Analyst
o Helps validate assessment cut scores along with the English and math
departments.
Identify any assessment test(s) used for placement into English, mathematics, and ESL courses. For
second-party tests, be specific about the versions and forms used. Describe which tests and services are
offered online, in person, individually or in groups, etc.
 If using a test, describe what other measures are used and how they are used to meet the multiple
measures requirement.
 If not using a test, describe what other measures are used to assess students and describe how
students are placed into courses.
 Describe how these measures are integrated into the assessment system (as part of an algorithm
included in the test scoring process, applied by counselors, used on their own without a test, etc.)
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4.
LAVC uses The College Boards ACCUPLACER online for English, math and ESL
placement.
LAVC has also implemented multiple measures for all three tests.
The assessments are online but proctored in our Assessment Center or if prearranged off-campus.
Multiple Measures are incorporated through our Educational Planning
Questionnaire or Background Questions. These questions are provided at the
beginning prior to beginning the assessment. The questions posed are regarding
students’ academic standing and their knowledge in the subject. An algorithm is
included in the scoring process that takes the points allotted to each question and
incorporates them to the final test score.
Describe the college’s or district’s policy on the acceptance of student assessment scores and placement
results from colleges within a multi-college district, if applicable, and colleges outside of the district.
Los Angeles Valley College accepts placements from any college in the state of California. Out-of-State
placements must be evaluated by counselors.
5.
Describe college or district policies and practices on:
a. Pre-test practice - Describe what type of test preparation is available, how it is delivered, how
students are informed of and access materials, including sample test questions, and how students
are notified of their pre-test performance.
Los Angeles Valley College is dedicated to helping students be successful in their educational endeavors
and helping them out of basic skills courses. We plan to implement workshops and online courses that
will prepare students for the English and math assessment. Students will have the opportunity to refresh
their skills in either subject matter.
b.
Re-take - How often may a student re-take a test after taking it the first time? What is the waiting
period? Is the waiting period consistent with publisher guidelines or more restrictive? Are there
conditions that must be met such as completing a subject-matter workshop before being allowed to
take the test again?
LACCD will align their re-test policies to once a year. Students who wish to re-test must participate in a
bridge program that includes a 3 week course in English and/or math.
c.
Recency - How long are test scores, high school grades, etc. accepted before the student is required
to reassess?
Placements and or grades must not be older than 2 years.
6.
Describe what externally-administered third-party test results are accepted for placement. Does the
college accept an Early Assessment Program (EAP) result of “college ready” to exempt students from the
college placement test in English? In math?
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LAVC accepts the EAP.
LAVC is also interested in adopting a more robust multiple measures such as high school analysis.
7.
Include in the Budget Plan all staff costs (salaries and benefits) for each position and the direct cost to
purchase, develop or maintain assessment instruments or other technology tools specifically for
assessment.
Student Services Specialist= $72,000
Senior Proctor= $16,000
CGCA= $20,000
Programs Assistant=$31,795.00
Research Analyst= $60,000