Examples of Guided Self Placement

This section provides examples of components of GSP. The content has been divided up to make it more manageable  beginning with an overview and local college description of GSP, then looking at ESL/English placement, followed by Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning placement. Because the ESL memo came out later than the English and Mathematics information, many colleges did not include detail of the placement changes for ESL.

GSP Introductions and general Placement Surveys from Various Colleges

The examples linked below show the diversity of strategies colleges have used to customize placement to their needs. Some have GSP for limited populations (those without HS GPA) and others have self placement available for a students after going through a student survey. Some colleges have separate assessment tools for English/ESL and Mathematics, other colleges use on survey with decision trees to place students in a variety of courses. Some colleges have automated much of the placement process, others direct students to start with a counselor. Some colleges require a counseling appointment prior to registration for courses, others do not.

These colleges are not provided as best practice, clearly some colleges provide guidance that is more comprehensive and follows the research-based suggestions discussed in this models, some colleges have isolated placement to a formula. You must decide what works best for your local student populations and programs and you must collect data to substantiate that the placement benefits students and does not increase equity gaps.

The ASCCC resolution supports making Guided Self Placement available to all students to strengthen student self-agency, engagement and success. Resolution 18.01 F2018 - Links to an external site.Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges urge local senates to implement policies that give all students access to the local guided self-placement process for English and mathematics as well as the appropriate assessment tools for credit English as a second language.

Irvine Valley College Initial Instructions for Placement (requires an IVC ID)Screen shots

Ohlone College  Introductory GSP Survey Powerpoint storyboard for Placement

Bakersfield College GSP Placement - intended for those without a recent high school transcript

DeAnza Self Guided Self Placement -  (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site.for students without a recent U.S. high school transcript

Santa Ana College Guided Self Placement (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site. - separate English, Reading and Math Guided Self Placement only for those students without HS transcripts and foreign students

Santiago Canyon College - Introduction to placement and specific information about GSP and placement results  (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site.

College of the Desert Guided Self Placement -  (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site.occurs with a counselor

West Valley College Guided Self Placement-  (Links to an external site.) Links to an external site.automated through to course placement open to the public

Glendale Community College Placement Workflow

English and ESL Placement Examples

Some colleges have combined the ESL and English placement trees, other colleges have included reading competencies. Overall, English placement is less complicated but it helps to see the description of the coursework and the flow chart in addition to the GSP survey tool used. Below you will find these components organized with links that allow you to easily view the various examples. Again, none of these may serve you college, but a broad set of examples may help you examine you own colleges needs.

Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning Placement Examples

Mathematics and Quantitative Reasoning are more complicated due to the shear number of courses required for specific programs and the diversity of skills. 

Comments About Examples

Implementation of AB 705 occurred over a short period of time when considering the number of curricular changes and institutional processes as well as technology changes. The ASCCC encourages research to ensure we are placing students where they can be successful. These examples provide a variety of strategies. Each has areas that can be improved. Plan to evaluate the results of your placement and to improve the placement methods you currently use. You can also review nationwide research and consider how other systems and institutions are implementing multiple measures placement.

Click Here to go to the Final Section Containing Resources