Certification On My Mind

Why, What, When, and HowSteve Saladin, University of Idaho Joseph Fenty, Washtenaw Community College

Duane Goupell, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Kimberly Moody, Temple University

Theresa Scott, Florida Atlantic University Linda Trevarthen, Michigan State University

Jack Turner, University of South Carolina

A little background….

Idea of certifying centers goes back to before NCTA

Concerns about implications, costs, etc. Current initiative launched in 2007 Based on NCTA Standards & Guidelines Important to note that are certifying

Center’s, not people Process is developed, now in the

fine-tuning stage

So, how does it work?

CURRENT

PROCESS

Certifying that the Test Center meets established Professional Standards Which means that the Test Center has in place the facilities, resources, staffing, standards, policies, procedures, etc, as prescribed and published by NCTANot certifying how well the staff are applying professional standardsThat would require on-site observations and detailed analyses of the program’s performance and management---an audit.

The State Department of Motor Vehicles “certifies” your car is road worthy.

It does not certify how well you drive it!

PROPOSED

PROCESS

Mentor

How do I get started?

Provide basic identifying and contact information

Mission Statement

Physical Facilities

Physical Facilities continued

Physical Facilities continued

Test Integrity

Confidentiality

Staff Training

Program Evaluation

Contracts and Agreements

Staff

Services Provided

Public Relations

Appendices

What’s it like?

The Trailblazers!

Theresa Scott, Florida Atlantic University

Linda Trevarthen, Michigan State University

Joseph Fenty, Washtenaw Community College

Jack Turner, University of South Carolina

Theresa Scott – Assistant Director of Testing and Evaluation

Florida Atlantic UniversityOffice of Testing and Evaluation

Test Center Certification

Linda Trevarthen, Manager, Testing Services

Michigan State UniversityCounseling Center—Testing Office

Test Center Certification

Joseph Fenty, Director of Academic Testing

Washtenaw Community CollegeTesting Center

Test Center Certification

Jack Turner, Testing Coordinator

University of South CarolinaOrientation & Testing Services

Test Center Certification

Making a decision

Why should I certify? Am I ready to apply?

Application Process What was easy?

What was difficult? How much time was

involved? Did it cost you

anything? What required

additional information?

Any surprises?

Discussion & FAQ Post Certification

Was it worth it? What did you learn? Have you seen any

benefits from being certified yet?

Tips and Cautions

For Certification Program Information:

Go to: www.NCTA-Testing.org

Click on “About”

Click on “Committees”

Click on “Reference Documents”

Scroll down to: “Certification . . .”

http://www.ncta-testing.org/ncta/committees/files/index.php

Certification Program Information:

2007-08 and 2008-09 Project Objectives.doc

Cert Process Graph.doc

Certfication Tasks & Standards.doc

Certification-2008 Presentation Outline.doc

Current Committee Members.doc

Proposed Certification Standards.doc

Standards NCTA Self St. 3-Column Criteria June 2003.doc

Test Center Certification Presentation 2008 Conf.pps

FY10 Test Center Certification

http://www.ncta-testing.org/ncta/committees/files/index.php

Certification Program Information:

MEETING MINUTES

Test Center Certification Committee

Minutes from Sixty One Meetings

from February 2008 to the Present

http://www.ncta-testing.org/ncta/committees/files/index.php