1. Retention Project 2009 – 2011: Joint Academic Upgrading/Test Centre Assessment Pilot Lynne Eagan, Academic Upgrading Cindy Thuswaldner, Academic Upgrading Jeff Agate, Test Centre

2. Purpose of Pilot Update promotional criteria and assessment methods for AU - Communication courses. Review language skills and proficiency levels for course promotion. Adopt new assessment tools – Use of current assessment technologies – Align assessment tools with post-secondary admission practice

3. The Academic Upgrading Program Poor English and Math skills are known barriers to post-secondary success. The AU – Comm courses develop English skills necessary for success in all post-secondary programs. The tools used to assess English skills in AU – Comm now line up with assessment tools (i.e., Accuplacer) currently used for admission to Algonquin.

4. Implementation Process Step 1: Gain consensus among faculty on the Performance Level Descriptors necessary for promotion between the 5 courses of AU Comm. Reading Writing

5. Implementation Process Step 2: Identify suitable Accuplacer tests. 8 language skills tests available A hybrid of Accuplacer tests and professor- scored writing samples were adopted for promotion criteria.

6. Implementation Process Step 3: Identification of corresponding test scores for the Performance Level Descriptors necessary for promotion between each course. Collaborative process Accuplacer service

7. Implementation Process Step 4: Scheduling and implementation Custom AU Comm Accuplacer site. Automatic scoring with placement recommendations. Results delivered to professors by next class.

8. Observations Increased student retention – no longer a barrier. Promotion assessment more relevant because it mirrors the college admission process Un-timed - reduces examinee stress Fewer students getting stuck Re-test period shortened from 90 to 30 days Current and culturally unbiased assessment Reflects Algonquins commitment to use of current technology Data is readily available for analysis

9. Evaluation 173 AU – Comm students have completed assessment Increase in number of students promoted from course to course Speeding up of the promotional process – student success is accelerated