Assessment Committee Meeting Minutes
November 6, 2009

Members Present:  Tom Phillips, Janet Fisher, Janice Ramsey, John Black, Jeramie Rick, and Trish Hayden, chairman

Members Absent:  Barb Coleman and Greg Goode

Minutes:    The minutes of the October 14, 2009 meeting were approved electronically and have been posted on the SATC website.

See: http://www.salinatech.edu/faculty_and_staff/assessment/assessment_committee.shtml

HVAC Pilot Project          

Trish Hayden reported on the pilot project to determine the relationship between ACT COMPASS scores and student success.  Students in the HVAC program took the ACT COMPASS reading test at the beginning of the fall semester and the results were compared to overall performance in the class.  There appears to be little or no correlation between reading scores and student accomplishment.    Trish has reported her observations to the SATC Board of Trustees and the HVAC advisory committee. 

The committee discussed discontinuing the COMPASS reading test for all students, except for the CNA and CMA programs, in which the test is used to document a minimum eighth grade reading level.  Trish proposes to continue the study next year before making such a decision.   No action was taken.    The study will be extended to math scores next fall.

Testing

Trish Hayden reported that an additional 1,000 COMPASS registrations have been received.
Although most schools are using the Internet version of COMPASS, Windows registrations can be converted into Internet credits by ACT.  Before switching to Internet delivery, Trish and John are conducting trial testing.  The results will be reported to the committee.

WorkKeys and NOCTI testing for December graduates have been planned.  Trish noted that there is a website (WIN) which is designed to help students prepare for WorkKeys. The December graduates have access to this website.

COMPASS Math testing

The committee discussed using COMPASS math test to place student in appropriate math class.  At present there are math classes offered, as follows:  Technical Math (pre-algebra); Intermediate Algebra (Algebra I, Algebra II and Trigonometry) and College Algebra.
Janet Fisher moved that the Assessment Committee recommend that the SATC Academic Affairs Committee evaluate the use of the COMPASS math test in placing students in math classes.     The motion was seconded by Tom Phillips and passed unanimously.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned by the chairman at 11:30 am.

Next Meeting

The next meeting is subject to call by the chairman.

John Black, Secretary