Math Placement Project Grant

Math & English Placement Project

The Project

Washington community and technical colleges continue to work towards more equitable placement practices. This includes moving away from standardized testing and focusing on high school transcripts evaluation and implementing guided self-placement models designed for students to reflect on prior experiences with reading, writing and math. Although colleges have made significant strides in placement assessment, inequities still exist, especially for historically underserved student populations and BIPOC students. The placement project aims to remove these barriers and build a consistent, transparent system used across all 34 colleges.

Project Highlights and Accomplishments

2025-2028 System Implementation

• Expand the CTC Mathematics Placement GRID and launch the English GRID pilot.
• Use student outcome data to strengthen equity and accuracy.
• Create guidance for students not placed through transcripts.
• Align systemwide implementation with ctcLink and statewide policy.
• Support colleges through training and collaboration.

2024–2025: Refinement and Expansion

• Refined the CTC Mathematics Placement GRID using student data and equity outcomes.
• Gathered feedback to prepare for English placement work.
• Built momentum for broader system alignment.

2023–2024: CTC Mathematics Placement GRID Pilot Launch

• Piloted the CTC Mathematics Placement GRID with 9 colleges.
• Expanded transcript‑based placement and reduced reliance on standardized tests.
• Strengthened partnerships and improved access to consistent placement data.

2022–2023: Understanding the Landscape

• Identified inconsistencies in placement policies, transcript use, and ctcLink workflows.
• Documented equity impacts and began cross‑college collaboration.
• Elevated high school transcripts as a key placement tool.

Overall Goal
A unified, equitable placement system used consistently across all 34 Washington community and technical colleges. This system is designed to support student success, reduce barriers, and promote educational equity from the start.