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Multiple Measures

Consider a variety of placement options that include high school grade point average to provide more ways for students to take a college-level class in their first semester.

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Holistic Student Assessment

The multiple measures strategy recognizes student readiness as multidimensional, using placement algorithms that consider various academic and non-cognitive factors to more accurately determine appropriate course placement and reduce unnecessary remediation.

Under-placement

Traditional single-test placement significantly under-places students, particularly those from marginalized groups

Completion Barriers

Single-measure placement creates unnecessary barriers to college-level coursework

Equity Gaps

Standardized tests alone perpetuate achievement gaps and limit student progress

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Proof Points

Multiple measures improve placement accuracy, increase access to college-level courses, and accelerate student progress while reducing equity gaps in educational outcomes.

  • Students placed using multiple measures were 10 percentage points more likely to complete gateway English courses
  • California’s Multiple Measures Assessment Project found students 30 percentage points more likely to complete transfer-level English within one year
  • SUNY study showed 15-percentage point increase in college-level English placement and 7-point increase in math
  • The North Carolina Community College System achieved 15-percentage point increase in gateway completion with 7-point reduction in racial equity gap

Long Beach City College implemented multiple measures algorithm incorporating high school GPA and specific course grades. Placement into college-level English increased from 13% to 59% and math from 9% to 41%, with students succeeding at equal or higher rates than traditionally placed students and equity gaps narrowing by 18 percentage points.

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Long Beach City College

Long Beach, CA

Benefits

Multiple measures assessment creates more equitable and effective placement systems that accelerate student progress while maintaining academic standards and improving institutional effectiveness.

Better Placement

More accurate assessment of student readiness using comprehensive data

Increased Access

More students placed directly into college-level courses with appropriate supports

Equity Improvement

Reduced placement gaps across demographic groups while maintaining success rates

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