Evaluating the Use of Statewide Summative Assessments in College Admissions: Insights from a Case Study

Authors

Yen Vo, University of IowaFollow
Stephen Dunbar, University of Iowa
Catherine Welch, University of Iowa
Jeongmin Ji, University of Iowa
Xiaoting Zhong, University of Iowa

Abstract

The impact of COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing discussions around social inequality have significantly reshaped traditional college admission practices. This study explores the potential of using statewide assessments that are accessible to all students and aligned with curriculum standards as an alternative to college admission tests. Hierarchical linear modeling further revealed that statewide assessment scores contributed an additional 9% of the variance in admission scores above and beyond high school GPA and core coursework. Logistic regression and random forest analyses indicated that high school GPA and statewide assessment scores were the most contributing factors to admissions decisions, followed by core coursework. Moreover, using statewide assessment scores in place of traditional college admission tests yielded the same admission classification for approximately 91% of students in the sample. These findings support the use of statewide assessments as an alternative for college admissions, potentially broadening access and opportunity for more students.

Recommended Citation

Vo, Yen; Dunbar, Stephen; Welch, Catherine; Ji, Jeongmin; and Zhong, Xiaoting (2025) "Evaluating the Use of Statewide Summative Assessments in College Admissions: Insights from a Case Study," Journal of College Access: Vol. 10: Iss. 4, Article 6.
Available at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/jca/vol10/iss4/6