Prior to fall 2019, KC used a traditional placement model: Admitted students were directed to take a standard assessment (Accuplacer). Students’ scores were evaluated by designated HFA English faculty; faculty used cut scores, which were occasionally supplemented with SAT scores and high school GPAs. Once placement was determined, the HFA Chair and Program Manager worked with the Registrar to register students in writing courses.

Upon WPD recommendation (2018), use of Accuplacer as placement tool was discontinued in favor of implementing a “guided self-placement” (GSP) model (authored by the WPD). The GSP procedure (implemented in 2019) is anchored by 

  1. a literacy history survey (Guided Self-Placement for Writing @ KC), which concludes with students self-selecting writing courses, and 
  2. the solicitation of a writing sample (Entrance Letter), which is delivered to students’ writing instructors at the beginning of the fall semester for placement verification and/or intervention.

The WPD oversees GSP components, evaluates (validates) student self-placement, and coordinates course placement with the Registrar. The HFA Chair and WPD monitor course/section/seat availability and, if necessary, work with the Registrar to adjust course offerings to match enrollment needs.

For additional information regarding the implementation of the GSP procedure and its efficacy, see KCWP Assessment Report 2020-2021.

GSP Operational Procedure

Procedural Timeline

The Guided Self-Placement Cycle “starts” with GSP Survey deployment via the New Student Portal in the Spring prior to New Student Orientation and student arrival on campus in the Fall. The deployment date is determined by Student Development. The GSP Cycle “ends” (for students) after placement is confirmed by instructors during the first week of the fall semester.

Spring >(April)GSP Survey is deployed (as a “Step”) via the New Student Portal.
Spring > Summer >(April – July)Students complete the GSP Survey on a rolling basis. Students directed to complete writing sample > Entrance Letter. Samples are not collected until the start of the Fall semester. WPD monitors survey results in Slate, begins verifying students’ self-placements, assesses trends in course selection. WPD periodically evaluates transfer equivalencies and/or exemptions.
Summer >(June – July)Admissions and Registrar monitor GSP survey to follow up with students who have not yet completed it. WPD continues to verify self-placements, monitor trends; alerts HFA Chair should course offerings/schedule need adjustments.
Summer > Fall >(End of July / Early August)WPD communicates placements / status to Registrar’s Office, monitors and assists with registration when necessary.In consultation with HFA Chair, WPA suggests course changes to meet registration needs. “Last minute” transcript evaluations and/or placements occur up until the Fall semester starts. WPD also works with the Registrar to place students who neglect to complete the GSP Survey.
Fall >(August)Students submit Entrance Letters to their writing instructors during the first week of classes. Writing instructors assess samples using basic criteria (2 Point Rubric) and alert WPD if they identify writers who have been improperly placed. WPD reads and assesses the samples in question, confers with instructors; if the instructor and WPD agree that the student would benefit from being placed in a different course, then the WPD works with the student to make the appropriate adjustment. However, students retain the right to remain should they disagree with the WPA’s decision.
Fall > Winter >(September – March)WPA assesses GSP Survey data and points of procedure, makes adjustments if necessary.

Student Self-Placement

Simply put: Students pick which writing course they will take in their first semester at Keuka College, and the GSP Survey is the means by which students make their choice. 

Because the writing faculty and WPD are not able to meet with each student individually, the GSP procedure includes steps designed to “guide” students toward informed decisions. In addition to collecting basic demographics, the survey asks reflective questions about students’ literacy histories; these questions prompt informal self-assessment of reading and writing abilities. At the end of the survey, students are presented with information regarding the General Education writing requirement and then are asked to consider three options: ENG 100 + ENG 100L, ENG 110, and “Transfer Credit.” Students then make their selection.

Verification of student self-placement occurs through two additional measures: 

  1. The WPD “verifies” self-placement through assessment of GSP survey results.
  2. Writing faculty assess student writing samples during the first week of the term.

The KCWP verification process results in either a) support of student decision (and registration in self-selected course), or b) intervention.    

WPD Verification of Self-Placement

The WPD “verifies” self-placement through assessment of GSP survey results, which may include additional, holistic assessment of survey results along with high school GPA, transcripts, and/or prior college coursework.

Most of the questions on the GSP Survey are for the students’ benefit—to prompt reflection, which then leads to  more informed decisions. For this reason, the WPD often does not review large portions of the students’ responses.

The WPD verification process generally follows these steps: 

  1. Monitor GSP Survey through Slate.
    Admissions and Registrar also have access to survey results; they monitor WPD verifications and track the number of students who have completed/not completed the survey.
  2. Review student self-assessments throughout the summer (rolling).
    WPD targets specific questions for review:
    1. Final course selection
    2. Reasoning for selection (student-written responses)
    3. Reading comprehension questions
    4. Standardized tests (have they taken the SAT, for example)
    5. AP credit / test
  3. Preliminary verification of students who select “Transfer Credit.”
    WPD reviews student files and/or transcripts; make notes. If/when a student selects “Transfer Credit” prior to transcript processing and evaluation by Registrar’s Office, WPD carefully considers student’s written response and attempts to anticipate final placement; makes notes for Registrar.
  4. Verification of student selections of ENG 100 and ENG 110.
    WPD generally approves student self-selections (@ 85-90%), but will adjust if…
    1. a student makes a mistake in selection (compare Final Choice with written reasoning; if the student references one course but selected another, then the WPD places them in the course they describe in their written reasoning).
    2. a student incorrectly identifies transfer credit (some students misunderstand what will equate; some students receive credit even though they select 100 or 110).
    3. student reasoning indicates a misalignment in self-selection (student’s reasoning reveals high/low fluency; student expresses being unsure about which course to select).

WPD verification is primarily driven by comparing students’ “Final Choice” with their course selection reasoning. The survey concludes with this question: 

  • In a few sentences, please provide your reasons for the option you selected above.
    PLEASE NOTE: Your answer needs to be at least 140 characters long. *

While students’ responses are only required to be 140 characters long (a couple short sentences), this small sample of writing provides a number of markers the WPD can use for verification:

  • explicit references to ENG 100 benefits (smaller class size, additional assistance),
  • identification of a lack of writing/reading confidence
  • references to prior struggles with writing and/or poor grades
  • extensive editing errors and/or nonstandard usage (lack of capitalization, fragments, run-ons, misspellings, abbreviations, etc.)
  • reference to one course with “final choice” of another (ie: explains how small class size and additional assistance will help, but selected ENG 110)
  • writing demonstrates clear fluency and advanced abilities but is overly self-critical (WPD often validates these self-placements despite apparent need)
  • additional concerns: extensive misunderstandings of the process, anticipation of transfer credit without reason, behavioral red flags, etc. 

Final Verification: Instructor Assessment of Writing Samples

The measures leading up to the course start date are such that, by the time students enter class sessions, their placement is set (correct). However, since all placement measures have margins of error, the GSP process solicits writing samples (in the form of the Entrance Letter) from students. This sample provides instructors with evidence of student writing that they can quickly assess for intervention markers. In short: While the survey effectively automates the placement of large numbers of writers, it does not explicitly include writing assessment (aside from the WPD’s cursory review of course choice reasoning). By requiring students to produce samples, the WP is able to verify across multiple measures and thereby ensure students are in the courses that are right for them.

Instructor verification process (sample assessment):

  1. Students submit Entrance Letters to their writing instructors during the first week of classes. 
  2. Writing instructors assess samples using basic criteria (2 Point Rubric).
  3. Placement is verified if the sample meets criteria; no enrollment changes are made.
  4. Intervention occurs if the instructor deems a sample does not meet the criteria for the course.
    In the event that intervention is needed, the instructor…
    1. alerts WPD and shares the sample in question.
    2. WPD reads and assesses the sample, and then
    3. confers with the instructor.
    4. If the instructor and WPD agree that the student would benefit from being placed in a different course, the WPD contacts and confers with the student.
    5. After speaking with the student, adjustments are made to course enrollment. 
    6. However, students retain the right to remain should they disagree with the WPA’s decision.

Adjustments to placement after final verification

As standard policy, the WP does not consent to course changes after the final verification process has been completed. Should students or instructors wish to make changes after final verification, they need to immediately contact the WPD and provide suitable justification(s). 

For a course change after verification but before the Add/Drop date:  

  • The WPD will work with the student to test the validity, feasibility, and suitability of their request; WPD adjudication will involve consultation with the student’s instructor; ultimately, the WPD will concede the final decision to the student, as it is the student’s right to make course changes prior to the Add/Drop date. 
  • The WPD will work with the instructor to test the validity, feasibility, and suitability of making a change; WPD adjudication will involve consultation with the student; ultimately, the WPD will make the decision to proceed with a change, informing the HFA Chair, or deny the request. If the request is denied, the faculty member is welcome (and will be encouraged) to seek HFA Chair approval.

If either a student or faculty member wishes to seek a course change after the Add/Drop date, all parties should immediately consult the WPD, who will assess the reasons for the change request and will proceed according to policies outlined in the student and faculty handbooks. WPD may request an “Exception to Policy” should a change be deemed the right solution.