David Thornton, Associate Professor of Computer Science, Jan Case, Distinguished Professor of Mathematics, and Courtney Peppers, Director of Learning Services authored an article detailing Jacksonville State University's transition to low-stakes placement for the Journal of National Testing Association.

From the article:

Students at the public four-year institution Jacksonville State University were underprepared for college math and were stalled by a repetitive cycle of failure with remedial math courses and discontinuity from being sent back to the beginning the following semester without regard for academic progress. By replacing the classic high-stakes testing and traditional course structure with a simple, well-mapped placement and study path model, JSU students are moving on to their credit-bearing math courses in less time, at lower cost, and with significantly higher success rates in their subsequent math courses.

Key Takeaways

• Because students could improve their readiness and placement using EdReady, the number of students taking developmental courses declined by over 70%, saving most students substantial time and money.
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• EdReady had a particularly big effect on student success in STEM courses, reducing the failure and withdrawal rates to be equal to the rates normally seen in non-STEM courses.
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• Students who used EdReady passed their college-level math courses (STEM and non-STEM) at significantly higher rates and with higher grades overall.