Tech Prep Competency Testing Online – Seamless Transition to Postsecondary Education Bob Phillips Dyersburg State Community College

On-Line Competency Testing In a Tech Prep Grant of $5,000 was obtained from the State of Tennessee Tech Prep Office to develop 10 Articulation Exams for courses that were taught at Dyersburg State and in our 14 local high schools. In a Tech Prep Grant of $5,000 was obtained from the State of Tennessee Tech Prep Office to develop 10 Articulation Exams for courses that were taught at Dyersburg State and in our 14 local high schools. Faculty were paid a stipend of $400 for developing the exams. Faculty were paid a stipend of $400 for developing the exams.

On-Line Competency Testing In FY students completed articulation applications, and 7 students enrolled and received college credit. In FY students completed articulation applications, and 7 students enrolled and received college credit. In FY students completed articulation applications, and 33 enrolled and received college credit. In FY students completed articulation applications, and 33 enrolled and received college credit. In FY students completed articulation applications. In FY students completed articulation applications.

On-Line Competency Testing Grading 622 articulation test by hand and returning the scores to the high schools is a big job. Grading 622 articulation test by hand and returning the scores to the high schools is a big job. A lazy man will always find an easier way of doing things! A lazy man will always find an easier way of doing things!

On-Line Competency Testing In Fall 2004 Dyersburg State received a Tech Prep Grant of $32,000 to develop and implement an On-line Articulation Testing System. In Fall 2004 Dyersburg State received a Tech Prep Grant of $32,000 to develop and implement an On-line Articulation Testing System. The remainder of this presentation demonstrates the steps used to develop and implement this new system and the initial results. The remainder of this presentation demonstrates the steps used to develop and implement this new system and the initial results.

Project Design Identified 21 courses that had similar competencies between our 14 high schools and Dyersburg State. Identified 21 courses that had similar competencies between our 14 high schools and Dyersburg State. Identified college faculty to begin design of a practice exam and a challenge exam for each of the 21 common courses. Identified college faculty to begin design of a practice exam and a challenge exam for each of the 21 common courses. Organized Design Team Organized Design Team

Design Team Design Team Composed Of: Design Team Composed Of: Grant Administrator Grant Administrator College Tech Prep Coordinator College Tech Prep Coordinator Web Site Designer Web Site Designer Database Designer Database Designer Test Administrator/Designer Test Administrator/Designer High School Faculty Member High School Faculty Member Technology Center Faculty Technology Center Faculty

Design Team Responsibilities Design Web Site Design Web Site Determine Database requirements for reports to schools/technology centers. Determine Database requirements for reports to schools/technology centers. Organize Testing Site Organize Testing Site Review Test Contents Review Test Contents Determine content for Web Site Determine content for Web Site Oversee implementation of the new program & publicity. Oversee implementation of the new program & publicity.

Design Team Results Series of meetings from Sept 2004 – April Series of meetings from Sept 2004 – April Input from users and designers resulted in satisfaction by all parties. Input from users and designers resulted in satisfaction by all parties. Web Site was completed and implemented on 15 April Web Site was completed and implemented on 15 April Within 5 weeks over 800 students had registered at the site and over 5,500 Practice & Challenge Exams were taken. Within 5 weeks over 800 students had registered at the site and over 5,500 Practice & Challenge Exams were taken.

Articulation Web Site

Web Site Publicity As part of the grant, three brochures were developed and distributed through each of our 14 high schools: As part of the grant, three brochures were developed and distributed through each of our 14 high schools: Parents Parents Teachers Teachers Students Students

Parents Brochure (Saving Money)

Teachers Brochure (Student /Teacher Benefits)

Student Brochure (Money/Time)

Database Reporting Capability Date specific Date specific School specific School specific Easy to distribute Easy to distribute Maintain confidentiality Maintain confidentiality Update easily. Update easily.

Database Entry Page

Sample Database Reports

Sample Report By School & Exam

Individual Student Report To High Schools

Practice & Challenge Exams Each Test includes 50 questions. Each Test includes 50 questions. Each test bank has over 100 questions. Each test bank has over 100 questions. Every test is randomly selected & sorted. Every test is randomly selected & sorted. Each test allows 60 minutes to complete. Each test allows 60 minutes to complete. Practice Test may be taken as many times as desired. Practice Test may be taken as many times as desired. Challenge Exams can only be taken once. Challenge Exams can only be taken once. Software in the test prevents copying. Software in the test prevents copying.

Sample Test View

Test Analysis

Teacher Resource Updating Using test question analysis we can determine which areas students are weakest. Using test question analysis we can determine which areas students are weakest. We can update the teacher resource area so high school teachers can expand instruction in those areas. We can update the teacher resource area so high school teachers can expand instruction in those areas. Goal is to have students obtain the same level of competency required at the college. Goal is to have students obtain the same level of competency required at the college. Saves time, money, and effort. Saves time, money, and effort.

HARD THINGS TO DO Getting brochures into the students hands! Getting brochures into the students hands! Getting agreement on common competencies! Getting agreement on common competencies! Making sure test are copy protected! Making sure test are copy protected!

CONCLUSIONS Great system that works easily! Great system that works easily! Creates communications between faculty! Creates communications between faculty! Students will use the materials! Students will use the materials! More students are actually seeking credit at the college and the Technology Centers! More students are actually seeking credit at the college and the Technology Centers! Fully articulated and has been adopted throughout the State of Tennessee! Fully articulated and has been adopted throughout the State of Tennessee! Maybe more students will go on to college! Maybe more students will go on to college!

THE CD Each of you will now receive a CD that contains the following: Each of you will now receive a CD that contains the following: Articulation Web Site in FrontPage Articulation Web Site in FrontPage Testing Site in WebCT Testing Site in WebCT Articulation Database and instructions. Articulation Database and instructions. Test Security Software Test Security Software Parents Brochure Parents Brochure Teacher Brochure Teacher Brochure Student Brochure Student Brochure Sample Database Reports Sample Database Reports Articulation Agreement Articulation Agreement THIS POWERPOINT THIS POWERPOINT