Placement exams need replacement

TOPIC | Pierce College placement tests

OUR VIEW | Placement tests are outdated and their results don’t always place people in the correct classes.

All incoming students are required to take assessment tests that will determine which math and/or English class they can register for.

During the writing section, you will be asked to read a short statement followed by a related question. Here is an example:

Statement: The assessment tests should be updated because they are ancient and obsolete, and they result in the most preposterous placements.

Writing Question: Do you agree or disagree with this opinion? In an organized essay of several paragraphs, explain why you agree or disagree.

The purpose of the exams is to “assess” the student’s needs and skills, and place the student in a class where he or she is most likely to succeed.

With placement results putting you in a class level below your abilities, the exams and the Assessment Center might find themselves on the endangered species list in the near future.

If the student wanted a review class on the basics of math and/or English, they should have applied to public elementary or high school, where the student wouldn’t have had to dish out a week’s pay for the same class.

We shouldn’t have to climb the little ladder if we could jump over it and climb the bigger one.

The assessment tests should be updated in a way that will ensure relevant placements, filled with questions that will separate the students who are in dire need of remedial classes from those who are starving to be challenged by new lessons.

College is supposedly hard because of the higher level of performance teachers expect from us.

It is where we should go to be challenged and get prepared for the work force.

We shouldn’t be given less than that.

(Jessie Lomeli)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *