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The GSI Oral English Test (GSI-OET) rating is determined by a team of evaluators composed of at least two ELI staff members and a faculty representative from the department where the student may be teaching. Multiple evaluators are used to enhance both the validity and reliability of the ratings.
Typically, within 1 to 2 days, the written report of a test is sent to the University department in which the graduate student might be employed as a graduate student instructor. Reports are distributed by the department to those approved for instructional duties. Students not approved for instructional duties are notified to make an appointment with the ELI GSI training coordinator to obtain a copy of their test report, to review the results of their test, and receive guidance about enrolling in ELI courses. Students are not scheduled to retake the GSI-OET until they have had the opportunity to improve their language and communication skills. When students have completed their designated language course(s), they can then be scheduled to retake the GSI-OET. There is no limit to the number of retests on the GSI-OET, but a program/course of language study should have been completed prior to each retest.
Appeal Process
Students who want to retake the GSI-OET before completing the recommended program of English language study need to appeal the results of their test. There are two categories of GSI-OET appeals.
- Appeals resulting from irregularities in test procedure and/or exam conditions.
Appeals can be made if there were irregularities in the test procedure or exam conditions that could have influenced the exam results. Examples of "irregularities in the test procedure or exam conditions" include problems such as: one of the evaluators was not present at the exam; the equipment used in the test was not working properly; or there were loud noises or disruptions that were disturbing to communication in the testing room. Within one week of the meeting with the ELI GSI training coordinator to receive the test report and review the results of the test, a student who wants a retest because of exam irregularities must contact the associate director for testing at the ELI and request a retest. The student should report to the associate director the particular problems that occurred. The associate director will determine if a retest is warranted and, if so, will notify the student's department that the department should schedule another GSI-OET for the student. Retests because of test irregularities can also be initiated by any of the evaluators who were involved in such a test.
- Appeals resulting from disagreement with test results.
If students believe that their rating does not accurately reflect their performance on their GSI-OET, they may appeal the test results. In this situation, students who wish to appeal the rating judgment of the GSI-OET evaluators must do so within one week of the meeting with the ELI GSI training coordinator when they received the test report and reviewed their test results. A student who wishes to initiate such an appeal must submit a request for a retest in writing to the director of the ELI and the chairperson of the department that scheduled the test. The request must indicate the reason for the appeal and the expected outcome. The ELI director and the department chairperson or designee will decide whether another evaluator should review the recording of the student's performance on the GSI-OET. If they decide that a review of the performance is not warranted, the appeal process is concluded. If they decide that a review is justified, the recording is given to an experienced UM GSI-OET evaluator who is not ELI staff. This evaluator will determine whether or not a retest is justified. The evaluator may decide that a retest is not warranted, in which case the appeal process is concluded. If the evaluator determines that a retest is justified, the student, the department and the ELI are notified that a retest must be conducted. The outcome of this retest is not open to appeal.
If it is decided that a retest should be conducted, it is the responsibility of the department to schedule the retest. It is the responsibility of the ELI to notify the student and department of decisions made during the entire appeal process.
If students have followed the guidelines of this appeal process and are not satisfied with the outcome, they may wish to discuss their situation with the graduate dean of their college. If, for any reason, a student cannot follow this process, she/he may contact the ELI GSI training coordinator as a first step.
ELI staff referred to in the appeal process:
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