Grant Recipient: MDRC
Principal Investigator: Dan Cullinan, MDRC
Term: 2024 – 2028
Funding: $499,908
Summary: This project will evaluate the effectiveness of development course referral using Multiple Measures Assessment (MMA) on successful gateway course completion and on degree completion or transfer to a four-year college. MMA is an alternative method to place students in college-level courses; placement is generally based on just student standardized test scores, or TSIA2 scores. MMA placement uses a more comprehensive suite of academic measures, including TSIA2 scores, high school GPA, and math and English course-taking history.
Prior evidence suggests that MMA increases college-level course completion for students whose referral process used MMA; however, the proposed study will be the first to evaluate MMA across multiple community colleges in Texas and will provide further insight for long-term outcomes.
Under the project, researchers will randomly allocate approximately 24,000 students going through placement for the Fall 2024 semester to the MMA referral process or the status quo process. The analysis sample of approximately 3,600 will be determined using pre-randomization measures, including HS GPA, TSIA2 test score, and math and English course-taking history to identify students whose placement would be affected when placed by MMA. Researchers will evaluate two primary outcomes: (1) successful completion of gateway math or English courses within one semester of random assignment, and (2) credential completion or transfer within three years of randomization.
The study’s pre-specified analysis plan is linked here.
