To. . 

?

SENATE ? 

. ................ 

..........From...DANIEL 

...

R. BIRCH, CHAIRMAN 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON UNDERGRADUATE 

STUDIES 

PARTICIPATION 

.. ,D . 

ENGLISH PLACEMENT 

?

FEBRUARY 

.

TEST 

By action of Senate in October 1976, Simon Fraser 

University has agreed to participate in the English Placement 

Test during the two year developmental-period, 1977-78 and 

1978-79. 

Recommendations: 

1.

That all students entering first year at Simon Fraser 

University be required to write the English Placement 

Test (usage and composition). 

2.

That all students entering Simon Fraser University on 

the basis of graduation from a B.C. secondary school 

in 1977, 1978 or 1979 be required to write the 

English Placement Test. 

The University will cooperate with the Educational 

Research Institute of B.C. in the collection of Grade 

12 English grades, English Placement Test scores, and 

grades in 100 level English courses for purposes of 

evaluating and developing the English Placement Test. 

3.

It is understood that the information to be obtained 

from the English Placement Test is not to be used as 

a basis for admission or compulsory placement of new 

or continuing students during the two year development 

period. 

P

articipation in the English Placement Test implies 

commitment by Simon Fraser University in developing 

program(s) to meet the needs identified, e.g. the 

teaching of composition skills to non-native speakers 

of English. 

(Strong support for this last statement was expressed 

in SCUS but no motion was considered within the time 

limit of the meeting.) 

Daniel R. Birch 

BAG(XJNJ 

Over a period of several years groups such as the 

English Department of each public university, the English 

Articulation Committee, the English Teachers' Group (Colleges 

and Universities), and the Senate of at least one university 

expressed concern about English usage and composition skills 

of students entering post-secondary education. Several such 

groups conveyed their concerns to the Ministry of Education 

and in September, 1976 the Deputy Minister convened a meeting 

of college, university, and ministry personnel to discuss the 

desirability and feasibility of developing a province-wide 

English Placement Test. A ministry representative indicated 

the Minister's interest in providing such a service should a 

majority of universities and colleges indicate their commit- 

ment to participation. ? 

Explicit in the meeting was the 

importance of providing opportunities for students to develop 

these skills, i.e. an interest in identifying differential 

needs implied an interest in developing differential programs. 

Simon Fraser University was represented at that meeting by 

D.Birch, H. Evans, A. McMillan, and B. McDaniel. 

At the Senate meeting of October 4th, 1976, the 

following motion was approved: 

.

?

"That Senate approve the participation of Simon 

Fraser University in the development and possible 

implementation of the English Placement Test 

proposed by the Department of Education." 

Several implications were specified. 

After obtaining a commitment to participation from 

each university and each college but one, the ministry engaged 

the services of the Educational Research Institute of B.C. to 

develop and pilot the English Placement Test. President Jewett 

named Dr. Messenger of the English Department to a committee 

charged with refining the objectives of the test and Mr. H. 

Evans to an advisory committee charged with guiding the develop- 

ment and implementation. 

THE TEST 

The test will consist of two sections. First, an 

"objective" section designed to identify errors in English 

usage common to native speakers of English and errors in English 

usage common to non-native speakers. A score out of twenty will 

be provided on each Of these two scales. The second, and more 

major, element in the test is an essay with a structured approach 

to marking designed to reveal major asspects of skill in composition. 

.2

Marking will be undertaken by teams of secondary 

and post-secondary teachers of English working under highly 

structured conditions. For example, each essay will be read, 

by four markers and two marks will be obtained on each of 

four scales. The overall score for the essay section of the 

test will be out of a possible eighty. Scores on the two 

usage scales and the composition section will not be summed 

but will be treated as separate scores relevant to particular 

areas of skill. 

The calendar for administration of the test is 

shown on a separate sheet. 

IMPLICATIONS 

It should be noted that all student members of the 

Senate Committee on Undergraduate Studies voted against recommend- 

ations one and two although they clearly supported recommendation 

three and spoke strongly in favour of program development designed 

to meet the needs diagnosed. Students were not alone in concern 

about potential misuse of data obtained from a testing program. 

The Committee was informed that scores on the test 

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will be provided only to the individual who takes the test and 

it will be that person's responsibility to provide information 

to the institutions to which he applies. In addition, there is 

no limit on the number of times a person can write the test. 

SCUS was unanimous in commitment not to use information from the 

test for purposes of admission or compulsory placement. It can 

not be stressed too strongly that members believed the value of 

the test to be two-fold: 

1.

To enable students to make better decisions 

regarding their needs and programs, and 

2.

To enable the University to engage in program 

development better designed to meet the needs 

of students attending it. 

Daniel R. Birch 

February 23, 1977 

ENGLISH PLACEMENT TEST - PROPOSED ADMINISTRATION 1977-78, 1978-79 

1.

May 3, 1977 ? 

In all B.C. Secondary Schools enrolling 

Grade XII - primarily for enrolled students. 

2. Mid-May 1977 

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In post-secondary institutions other than 

Universities - primarily for mature students 

and others who may require it. 

3.

Early August 1977 

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In all post-secondary institutions - for any 

students who may require it, including a 

further writing by students who may wish to 

take a second attempt. 

4.

Early September 1977 In post-secondary institutions for their 

students who require the test but have not 

taken it (for local institution marking only). 

5.

Early November 1977 Expected to be in secondary schools and post- 

secondary institutions admitting for January 

1978 - primarily for students requiring the 

test for January 1978 admissions. 

6.

Early January 1978 In post-secondary institutions for their 

students who require the test but have not 

taken it (for local institution marking only). 

7.

May 1978 ? 

As in 1. above, and likely as in 2. above. 

8.

Early August 1978 

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As in 3. above. 

9.

Early September 1978 As in 4. above. 

10.

Early November 1978 As in 5. above. 

11.

Early January 1979 As in 6. above. 

12.

May 1979 ? 

As in 1. above. 