Use multiple measures, not single test cut scores, to determine eligibility for dual credit courses¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · 1 claim (1 for) · 1 study (1 review), q2 · 0 of 1 report an effect size · 1 claim rests on one study

Description¶

The brief argues cut scores "should be a floor, not a ceiling," because a single TSI score disproportionately limits access for Black, Latino, and low-income students who are less likely to meet TSI standards. During pandemic testing disruptions, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board allowed colleges to use multiple measures of eligibility when TSI status was unknown. The brief cites research that high school GPA is a more reliable predictor of preparedness for entry-level college courses than standardized exam cut scores.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Institutions must define which alternative measures (e.g., STAAR, ACT, SAT scores or GPA) demonstrate readiness for specific DC course loads

Constraints¶

• Little data exists on how colleges chose eligibility measures or whether expansive measures broadened access for students typically excluded by cut scores

Target Learners¶

• High school students seeking dual credit, particularly Black, Latino, and low-income students

Target Learning Goals¶

• Access to college-level dual credit coursework

Claims¶

• Contextualized high school GPA had a stronger relationship with college success than contextualized standardized test scores (Bastedo et al., attributed) [+W]

Related Strategies¶

• State policy package to expand equitable access to advanced coursework: credit transparency, automatic enrollment with opt-out, fee removal, disaggregated data reporting, and belonging supports
• Automatically enroll high-performing sixth graders in advanced math, with parent opt-out, to circumvent educator bias in referral
• Adopt automatic (opt-out) enrollment policies placing qualifying students in advanced coursework

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Kristen Hengtgen, Hector Biaggi. (2024). Increasing Access to Advanced Coursework in Texas. EdTrust. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED641978