League for Innovation in the Community College January 2019 | Page 33

conversation that a college has with a student. Thus, it is critical so aligns with recommendations from organizations such as
that this conversation be well-informed, supportive in nature, and ACT and the College Board.
guided toward a student’s best path to success.
However, models such as these still prioritize the academic
There are three key points that, in my opinion, shape the next components of college readiness. Several years ago, Terry
wave of innovation in placement. O’Banion and I (2014) wrote a piece on noncognitive factors,
the research supporting their relevance in student success,
1. Distinguishing between multiple measures and holistic
and the need to more appropriately address and support
assessment. Shifting from a single placement test to these areas in placement, advising, and other student
multiple measures can happen in many ways, including the success efforts. While multiple measures help to address
consideration of high school grades or providing additional concerns about placement tests, they fail to provide key
assessments for students who score close to college level. information about the behavioral, motivational, emotional,
Multiple measures, as operationalized in this way, are a and social components of student success.
definite improvement over a single-test system. In fact, doing
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