Assessment Center expands services
By the Apache editorial staff
IVCCs Assessment Center is settled into its new and larger facility in C-108, offering expanded services and extended hours.
The center handles testing for placement, telecourses, online courses, other colleges and universities, and make up exams for classes. GED testing is a responsibility the center assumed in July. The center was responsible for nearly 1,000 tests during September and over 400 in October.
Previously located in the Reading, Writing and Study Skills Lab in building B, the center moved to the lower floor of C in May and now occupies a room formerly used for library processing.
The new location is not only larger, it provides a quieter environment for test taking, according to Cathy Bangert, Assessment, Placement & Tracking specialist, who has headed the center since April. She has two part-time Assessment Center Assistants, Marj Verplaetse and Brenda Hartman, to help handle the expanded services.
"We had 96 individuals take GED tests in October," Bangert said. "Each person will spend five to nine hours testing."
The biggest task for the center is placement testing, primarily in reading, math and English. Last spring the center administered about 1,800 placement tests.
Bangert explained that all first-time full-time students and any students enrolling in English and math courses have to take placement tests.
The center is currently in the process of pilot testing computer based placement tests. The English exam in use for many years includes a writing sample graded by members of the English faculty, and the math exam is a test developed by the IVCC math faculty and Scantron scored. Currently, the Nelson-Denny is used to determine reading placement.
Bangert explained that scoring those placement exams takes a lot of time. Computerized testing would allow for a quicker turnaround of scores to the student so they can register in the appropriate classes.
"The purpose is to improve the student registration process, while maintaining the validity of the placement," Bangert said.
Additionally, she said, computerized placement testing is adaptive and not timed while the current tests all have time limits.
"Taking away the timing takes away some test anxiety," Bangert said.
Phase II of the pilot testing of ACCUPLACER is currently being conducted in the English area, and additional pilot testing in math courses will be conducted early in the Spring semester.
The center is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday. Testing begins at 9 a.m., and students should call in advance to schedule a testing appointment. Students need to bring a photo ID.
The center currently has ten computer stations with five more on the way. Two additional computers have been supplied by the nursing department, loaded with special software to help the nurses prepare for state board exams.
In spring, the center will have to move, temporarily, out of its new facility when building C is closed for renovations. Bangert said she wasn’t sure where the center would be relocated, but they want to be moved and organized before spring placement testing starts, typically in March.
Grant funding has allowed the center to expand its services and staff. At one time, assessment services were handled through the Reading, Writing and Study Skills Lab. As a result of a five-year Title III grant, a Division of Academic Enrichment was created, and the center is a part of that division.
Before taking the position with the Assessment Center, Bangert spent nine and a half years with the Dislocated Workers Center in various positions including Director. She has a bachelor’s degree in math education and has taught in high school.