Course placement

Regardless of whether or not a placement test is used, programs still must place their students into classes. Tables 22 through 24 highlight various parts of the placement process. Note that most respondents indicated a combination of procedures for any given facet of the process. It is interesting to note in Table 22 that very few programs placed students exclusively on the basis of test scores. Of course, the extent to which advisor and teacher recommendations are influenced by test scores is not seen. It is also important to note, as can be seen in Table 24, that only in a very small number of programs were course changes not allowed once instruction has begun. Some programs commented that changes of level were not allowed, but students were free to switch languages or drop language courses.

Table 22: Final course placement determination

Placement decision	Responses
Teacher's recommendation	64
Previous semesters of study	44
Advisor's recommendation	44
Student self-selection	40
Placement test scores	13
High school transcripts*	2
Combination of factors*	1

*Write-in response

Table 23: Determination of cut scores

Cut score setting method	Responses
Piloting on current students	59
Based on proficiency level	48
Test-maker's recommendation	31
No specific cut-scores*	5
Past experience*	3
Language faculty*	3
Colleague's recommendation*	2
Combination*	2
Students make final choice
based on recommendation*	1
Tracking of placed students*	1

*Write-in response

Table 24: Class changes allowed after instruction commences

Course change policy	Responses
Changes allowed during add/drop period	112
Changes allowed only with special permission	37
Course changes not allowed	2
Change to other language only*	1
Changes allowed up to week six*	1
Class change only, no level change*	1
Change allowed if prerequisites met*	1

*Write-in response