CPTs Cut Scores

Shirley A. Dixon (SDIXON@SCPO.LV.SCHOOLCRAFT.CC.MI.US)
Wed, 18 Dec 1996 11:30:00 -0500

Hi MATHEDCC!
I heard that your list has recently discussed CPTs cut-scores. I am new to
the list and have missed the discussion. I am a researcher in Academic and
Assessment Services at Schoolcraft College (a community college in
Michigan). We are planning to review our CPTs cut-scores in the near
future, and we are eager to know what methods other colleges are using to
review their cut-scores.

We are considering a method that was presented at a national developmental
education conference (NCDE - Oct '96) where each faculty member is given a
list of CPTs-placed students in their class (around the 5th week of class).
Faculty could check off whether they felt the student was appropriately
placed, should be in a higher level class, or should be in a lower level
class. CPTs scores are compared between students deemed correctly and
incorrectly placed and cut-scores are adjusted slightly (if necessary) in
the appropriate direction. Has anyone been involved in this type of
evaluation?

I queried the McGill listserv system for archived files of MATHEDCC
discussions but could not find any. Has anyone saved some of the previous
postings regarding CPTs cut-scores? What is the prevailing opinion among
math faculty about the CPTs arithmetic, algebra and college-level math
tests? I would be grateful for any information you would be willing to
share.

Thanks.
Shirley Dixon
sdixon@schoolcraft.cc.mi.us