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As research continues to suggest that students placed more than one level below college level rarely succeed in completing their degree math requirements, and a persistent opportunity gap for students of color remains evident, colleges have begun to recognize the significant impact of their placement practices on student success. In response, many colleges are moving away from traditional math assessments and instead adopting alternative placement measures. These new methods often incorporate high school transcript information, ACT and SAT scores, GED scores, guided (or directed) self-placement, and other additional criteria.
Guided-Self Placement (GSP) or Directed-Self Placement (DSP)
Guided-Self Placement (GSP) or Directed-Self Placement (DSP)
Guided self-placement (or directed self-placement) is an approach where students assess their own readiness for college-level courses. Instead of relying solely on test scores, students receive information about course content and expectations, then use self-assessment tools and advisor guidance to choose appropriate courses. This method aims to reduce anxiety and improve success by placing students in courses that match their abilities.
Platforms Used at Washington Community and Technical Colleges
Platforms Used at Washington Community and Technical Colleges
Bates Technical College, GSP via Canvas
Bellingham Technical College, GSP via Canvas
Cascadia College, GSP allows placement 1 level above Accuplacer recommendation
Centralia College, GSP via WAMAP
Clover Park Technical College, DSP via Qualtrics
Columbia Basin College, DSP via Microsoft Forms
Green River College, DSP via Formstack
Highline College, Informed Math Placement (IMP) via SurveyMonkey
Lake Washington Institute of Technology, GSP via WAMAP
North Seattle College, DSP via Formstack
Pierce College Fort Steilacoom, GSP via program developed by David Lippman
Pierce College Puyallup, GSP via program developed by David Lippman
Renton Technical College, DSP via Qualtrics
Seattle Central College, DSP via Formstack
South Puget Sound College, GSP via WAMAP
South Seattle College, DSP via Formstack
Spokane Falls Community College, DSP via Online Form Developed in-House
Tacoma Community College, DSP via Formstack
Walla Walla Community College, GSP via Formstack (previously Microsoft Forms)
Yakima Valley College, GSP via WAMAP
*NEW* DSP Editing Tool
*NEW* DSP Editing Tool
SBCTC is contracting with David Lippman in the creation of a new openly-available web-based Directed Self-Placement (DSP) tool for math. This user-focused tool is currently under development with end-user collaboration and accessibility as top priorities.
Go the Math Initiatives page to learn more!
Additional Placement Resources
Additional Placement Resources
College Course Placement Based on Multiple Measures Assessment, December 2024
Updated Preparatory Pathways and STEM Calculus Completion: Implications of the AB 1705 Standards, June 2024
Inequity by Design: How College Placement Policies Perpetuate Institutional Racism, June 2021
Maximizing Math Throughput of Students Who Did Not Complete Algebra 2 in High School, August 2021
Presentations on Placement
Presentations on Placement
Fall 2021 Placement Series
Fall 2021 Placement Series
Washington CTC staff and faculty met for a three part webinar series focused on Placement. These webinars asked colleges to reflect on what they have learned from the changes that they have already made, what it would mean to default to college level placements and what to consider when implementing multiple measures.
Summer 2020, Rethinking Mathematics Placement
Summer 2020, Rethinking Mathematics Placement
A four-part series of webinars focused on helping colleges thing broadly about their use of placement
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