Success is in the Details

1
Success is in the Details

• College Readiness
• Testing Programs in the
• High Schools

Innovations 2009 Conference Reno, NV March 16,
2009
2
Presenters

• Kathie Montognese
• Director of Testing Services
• Hennepin Technical College
• Kay Lambert
• Director of Testing Services (Retired)
• El Paso Community College

3
But first, A Test for Smart People
4

• Q 1 How do you put a giraffe into a
  refrigerator?
• Correct Answer Open the refrigerator, put in
  the giraffe, and close the door.
• This question tests whether you tend to do simple
  things in an overly complicated way.

5

• Q 2 How do you put an elephant into a
  refrigerator?
• Correct Answer Open the refrigerator, take out
  the giraffe, put in the elephant and close the
  door.
• This question tests your ability to think through
  the repercussions of your previous actions.

6

• Q 3 The Lion King is hosting an animal
  conference. All the animals attend except one.
  Which animal does not attend?
• Correct Answer The Elephant. The elephant is
  in the refrigerator. You just put him in there.
• This question tests your memory.

7

• Q 4 There is a river you must cross but it is
  used by crocodiles and you do not have a boat.
  How do you manage it?
• Correct Answer You jump into the river and
  swim across. Havent you been listening? All
  the crocodiles are attending the animal
  conference.
• This question tests whether you learn quickly
  from your past experiences.

8
Q 5. Mary's father has five daughters
1. Nana, 2. Nene, 3. Nini, 4.
Nono.What is the name of the fifth daughter?
If you answered Nunu you were wrong!Correct
Answer Her name is Mary.
This question tests your ability to see what is
right in front of you!
9
Some Details About Minnesota State Colleges
Universities (MnSCU)

• Formed in 1995 by Minnesota State Legislature
• Consolidated three systems community colleges,
  technical colleges, state universities
• 25 two-year colleges, 7 state universities (54
  campus sites)
• 5th largest public higher education system
• in the U.S.

10
Some Details About El Paso Community College
District (EPCC)

• Established in 1969 doors opened 1971
• 25,454 enrolled - Spring 2009
• 5 campuses throughout the District
• 1 campus on Ft. Bliss military installation
• One of the fastest growing community
  
  colleges in TX
• 1 in associates degrees awarded to
  Hispanics

11
Program Goals for Success

• Establish an effective HS to college
  collaboration
• Promote early awareness of college programs and
  requirements (especially for those who may not
  have considered college as an option)
• Provide HS students with information about their
  current academic skills (reading, writing and
  math)
• Encourage students to take HS courses that will
  prepare them for college

12
Success Really is in the Details

• Identify HS to be targeted in your outreach
  programs
• Meet with superintendents, principals, and
  counselors
• Outline goals and objectives of your programs
• Gain their support
• Identify students (10th, 11th, 12 grades)

13
Details (About Testing in HS)

• Who will administer the tests (HS or college
  staff)?
• Who pays for test costs (student, HS, college)?
• What information will you give to
  students/parents?
• When will you test (dates, times)?
• Where will you test (HS, on campus, other
  locations)?
• How will students be notified of test
  arrangements?
• Who will provide/discuss test results with
  students?
• Who will provide post test intervention follow
  up?

14
Steps To Improve Course Placements For MnSCU
Institutions

• Selected a single instrument ACCUPLACER
• Set common cut scores for placement in
  introductory level college courses in writing,
  mathematics, and courses with a reading
  prerequisite
• Implemented common cut scores for students
  beginning Fall Semester 2008
• Developed upload process for test scoresand
  background questions

15
Further Refinements

• Evaluate the first year data for validity of the
  scores (2009-2010)
• Possible use of the Writeplacer or Ready or Not
  Writing Program to evaluate a student who appeals
  the placement decision
• Expand testing in the high schools and set
  guidelines

16
Why is it important for us to work together to
determine college readiness?

• Taking ACCUPLACER while still attending High
  School helps students know where their skill
  levels are in relation to what they need to meet
  their future educational goals
• Encourages students to continue to develop skills
  required for college success
• Helps students stay focused and more prepared
  when entering post-secondary education

17
Hennepin Technical College College Readiness
Testing Program

• TOUR Hennepin Technical College for career
  exploration What programs are available to me?
• TEST Take ACCUPLACER Placement Test at HS,
  proctored by college testing staff
• TALK Receive individualized test interpretation
  with HTC counselors/testing staff at HS, Parent
  evenings
• TARGET Target area for improvement if needed,
  sign up for Advancer
• Admission Representatives are available to give
  follow-up presentations, i.e., financial aid,
  application, program information
• Partnering HS and College Faculty
• Developing a tracking system

18
Success really is in the details!!
19
This graph is attached to every students test
scores as a visual tool to help explain test
results in one on one meeting with advisor.
20
We complete this form for every student and it is
kept in their HS file to help with course
selection for future planning.
21
Sample of Results and Recommendations from
Testing at HS
22
EPCC ACCUPLACER Details

• Began limited use of ACCUPLACER CPT (1997)
• ACCUPLACER Online introduced (1999)
• ACCUPLACER Online was one of four THECB approved
  alternative tests (2001)
• ACCU Online offered immediate scoring of essays
• ACCUPLACER became sole test of choice (2003)
• Expanded use to College Readiness Initiative
  where HS became ACCU test sites (2006 -07)
• University of Texas at El Paso also uses
• ACCUPLACER Online

23
EPCC Pathways from HS to College

• El Paso Area College Readiness Initiative
  (2006)
• Dual Credit Programs (2001)
• Early College High Schools
• Early Admissions options

24
College Readiness Initiative

• ACCU orientation (two weeks prior to test date)
• Joint admissions application (prior to test
  date)
• ACCUPLACER testing (in junior or senior year)
• Interpretation of test results
• Interventions for those testing in developmental
  areas
• ACCUPLACER retesting in areas needed
• ISD transfers scores to secure server at EPCC
• CRI research activities

24
25
(No Transcript)
26
Visit us at www.epcc.edu/testingservices
27
ACCUPLACER i3 Online

• When the College Board first introduced
  ACCUPLACER Online (1999) it was unmatched by any
  other online testing program.
• The ACCUPLACER New Platform (2007) took
  enhancements to an entirely new level in response
  to users needs.
• ACCUPLACER i3 Platform (2009)

28
ACCUPLACER Whats New Details

• New Vendor (Pearson)
• New Platform (i3)
• Updated Item Banks
• Integrated Computer Skills Placement (CSP)
• WritePlacer Scoring Rubric Updated

• New WritePlacer Prompts
• New WritePlacer ESL Prompts
• New COMPANION Forms
• New Diagnostic Tests to be developed (o/a 2010)
• I3 Transition happening now (Feb Jun 2009)

29
ACCUPLACER i3 General Features

• Robust platform engineering
• Updated look and feel
• Intuitive user interface
• Compatible with Windows Vista and Firefox
• Over 100 system updates recommended by users
• No training or certification required
• Enhanced system security
• Consistent sorting of lists/reports

30
i3 Details that Facilitate Testing in HS

• Student friendly, adaptive tests
• Easy to set up, control and manage Sites/Users
• Easy to create Test Branching Profiles
• Easy to create Placement Rules
• Easy to create Custom Messages
• Easy test administration
• Broad variety of Reporting options

31
More i3 Enhancements Features

• Verify Branching Profiles (dont have to use test
  units to test if placements are correct)
• Copy function available in BP, Test Settings, PR,
  BGQ groups etc
• Calculator - Use scratch paper provided or
  calculator is available, if turned on in test
  settng
• Show All feature on lists
• BGQ-print Text or Name on Student Score Report
• Companion manual online
• Demo site
• Print batch Individual Score Reports
• View test scores while student is still testing
• New User Permission Levels

32
For More Information About Our HS Testing
Programs

• Kathie Montognese
• Hennepin Technical College
• Ph [phone]
• Email Kathie.Montognese_at_hennepintech.edu
• Carolyn Buntyn
• Director of Testing Services
• El Paso Community College
• Ph [phone]
• Email cbuntyn_at_epcc.edu
• Kay Lambert
• Ph [phone]
• Email kayl_at_elp.rr.com