A Longitudinal Follow-Up of Students Who Failed the CLAST in Fall, 1984. Research Report No. 86-20 / Marcia J. Belcher.

In fall 1984, the first group of potential Miami-Dade Community College (MDCC) graduates took the College Level Academic Skills Test (CLAST) as a requirement for obtaining an associate degree or being admitted to the upper division at a state university. Of the 997 first-time test takers, three quarters passed the test. A study was conducted to follow 246 students who did not pass the CLAST through the following year to see if they reached their goal of passing the CLAST, and to assess the impact the test had on these students. A short survey was mailed to all 246 students, requesting information on their educational activities and goals; perceived reasons for not passing the CLAST the first time; subsequent success on the CLAST; reactions to failing the CLAST; and ways students would prepare better for the test. Study findings, based on a 41% response rate, included the following: (1) students failing the CLAST differed from those who passed in several ways, including the number of English as a second language credits, performance in English courses, and performance in math; (2) 162 students (66%) retook the CLAST, and 53% of these students passed; (3) of the 158 students who reenrolled at MDCC, 26% were still at the college in fall 1985; (4) 23% of the group reported having changed their goals as a result of the test; (5) students' responses to their failing scores varied from "upset," to "surprise," to "angry"; and (6) students' reasons for their failing the CLAST were also varied, with some students stating that they did not take the test seriously, while others judged the test as "unfair." The questionnaire and student responses are appended. (EJV)

Microfiche. [Washington D.C.]: ERIC Clearinghouse microfiches : positive.