Automation of placement testing transcript text notes

The Credit Evaluation Services (CES) Team automated the process of adding transcript text notes to the credit evaluation, which tell transfer applicants what placement tests to take after they are admitted. Tracy Mores, Scott Golueke, and Greg Mehlert developed logic that the Student Information System (SIS) uses to tell whether or not a student needs to take any of three different placement tests – the UW System English Placement Test, the UW System Math Placement test, and the English as a Second Language Assessment Test (ESLAT). This logic is based on the coursework and test credit a student is transferring in, any existing UW System placement test scores, and even credit they may have taken here as a special student. It also considers whether or not the Admissions office required a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score as part of the admissions application in order to determine which, if any, English test a student might need. A series of processes developed by Greg and tested by Tracy runs nightly to analyze and apply the correct notes to each applicant who had a credit evaluation completed that day. CES has also taken on a process that applies comment codes to each student based on which transcript text notes they have. These comment codes will be used to generate a personalized letter that goes out to each admitted transfer student with their testing requirements and instructions on how to register for any tests they are required to take. The transcript text processes began running successfully in February, and Fall 2023 applicants began receiving notification of their placement testing requirements in March after getting their admission decisions. Thanks also to Cheryl Wise and Leah Meicher, who provided major assists in getting the Comm Gen process up and running on a nightly basis, and to Kim Alling who assisted with innumerable security authorizations. This automation is another improvement to the office’s efficiency and advances a core value of committing to utilizing shared knowledge, creativity, and innovation to examine unique circumstances.