ADMINISTERING THE

VIRGINIA PLACEMENT TEST (VPT)

VPT READINESS TOOLKIT FOR STUDENT SUCCESS

FEBRUARY 19, 2013Presented by:

Chris Porter - Learning Technology Center ManagerBrooke Ferguson – Coordinator of Developmental EducationMelissa Williams – LTC Remote Testing Site Liaison

Funding provided through the VCCS Chancellor’s Innovation Fund 2013

Welcome! Logistics Payment Forms Why are we holding this workshop?

ADMINISTERING THE VPT

Developmental Education Task Force, 2009◦ Reduce need◦ Reduce the time to complete◦ Increase the students graduating, transferring, or completing a

credential Developmental English & Math Redesign

Teams◦ Recommended structure for courses

Developmental English & Math Curriculum Teams◦ Created Curriculum Guide containing Student Learning

Outcomes for courses Placement Test Team

◦ Worked with test vendor to create new assessment

HISTORY AND BACKGROUND

Computer-based adaptive/diagnostic placement test Used to determine college readiness and course

placement Separate Mathematics and English tests

◦ English - two sections Essay: choice of two prompts; electronically scored Multiple Choice: 40 integrated reading & writing questions

◦ Mathematics – Adaptive/diagnostic for nine (9) levels and Calculus

More specific and accurate placement = less developmental coursework

End of Compass

WHAT IS THE VPT?

New students in a program of study or taking a course that has a Math or English prerequisite

Includes Dual Enrollment students (same as any other student)

Students interested in applying to the CCAP program

Exemptions

WHO NEEDS TO TAKE THE VPT?

EXEMPTIONS Math Testing Exemptions

◦ 520 SAT- Math within 2 years◦ 22 ACT- Math within 2 years

English Testing Exemptions◦ 500 SAT-Critical Reading AND 500 SAT- Writing◦ 21 ACT- English AND 21 ACT- Reading

Provide documentation to◦ Debbie LaRocca (Admissions Office) for Dual

Enrollment◦ Becky Kraemer or Allison Dooley for CCAP

WHO NEEDS TO TAKE THE VPT?

Before meeting with advising specialists to select courses

Students enrolling in Fall Semester before Discover Orientation

Dual Enrollment - before the course begins CCAP – before application deadline (March 29,

2013)

WHEN DO STUDENTS NEED TO TAKE THE VPT?

At Virginia Western’s Learning Technology Center - hours info on web page http://virginiawestern.edu/services/ltc

For CCAP and Dual Enrollment - At their home High School (if possible)

Support from LTC – technology much easier Training and support provided

WHERE DO STUDENTS NEED TO TAKE THE VPT?

PURPOSE To get the most accurate course placement

possible Avoid unnecessary developmental coursework Avoid placing students in courses for which

they do not possess the requisite skills and abilities

Qualify for CCAP program

WHY THE VPT?

Two Components◦ Essay◦ Multiple Choice: 40 integrated reading & writing

questions Essay Scoring

◦ Electronically scored from 1-6 on five(5) diagnostic components1. Organization2. Focus, Development, and Support3. Vocabulary4. Sentence Structure5. Mechanics

VIRGINIA PLACEMENT TEST (VPT)- ENGLISH

Adaptive & Diagnostic

Precise placement

VIRGINIA PLACEMENT TEST (VPT)

MATHEMATICS•D0 Whole Numbers

(Non-credit)Unit 0

•D1 Fractions•D2 Decimals•D3 Pre Alg•D4 One Var Alg•D5 Two Var Alg

Units 1-5

•D6 Exp & Factoring•D7 Rationals•D8 Radicals•D9 Quadratics

Units 6-9

Maintaining Test Integrity◦ Secure web browser (LDB)◦ Verifying Identity◦ Personal Belongings (e.g. phones, calculators etc…)◦ Scrap paper & pencils

One retest is allowed in one year period since first test

No calculators allowed (one is provided by test) Students may start and stop the test (except

English Essay) Can restart anytime, saved up to two months

ADMINISTERING VPT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

McCann and Associates: College SuccessSite Administrator accounts– District levelProctor accounts – Building level

Usernames and Passwords Please secure these!!!

ADMINISTERING VPT WEB BASED TESTING

McCann and Associates: College Success

ADMINISTERING VPT WEB BASED TESTING

Automatic upload to VWCC SIS Printing individual Score Reports from College

Success◦ Decide based on your needs (protected academic

information)◦ Instructions included

Scores remain in CS for 1 year but are valid for two years

VPT PLACEMENT RESULTS

SCORE REPORTSTotal TimePlacement ResultsLists MTE units that were passed in BOLD

Lists eligible college-level mathematics courses (if any)

Lists English placement recommendation

English Essay Pending Results◦ Some essays are deemed “un-scoreable”◦ Generate a “Pending” message on score

report◦ Essay is sent to McCann for grading; must

be manually reviewed◦ Score updates within approx. 24 hours

VPT ENGLISH RESULTS

Adult Basic Education VPT- English◦ Students do not meet admissions criteria for any

developmental or college-level courses◦ Score report reads “ABE English”◦ Non-credit : EDUC 2151 or ESLA 2665

Adult Basic Education VPT - Mathematics◦ Students do not qualify for developmental or college-

level mathematics courses◦ Score report reads “Advise ABE or BSK”◦ Non-credit: MATH 2140

ADULT BASIC EDUCATION

SCORE REPORTSSamples

Why Prepare for the VPT? http://vccsblogs.com/math/?p=16

Sample Test on Log-in page for College Success

Preparatory materials Practice Test with Diagnostics

PREPARING TO TAKE THE VPT

Sample Test on Log-in page for College Success https://college.measuredsuccess.com

Not actually based on the VPTFeeling of testing web site and the testing experience in general

PREPARING TO TAKE THE VPT

Preparatory materials◦ Handout and LTC Web Pagehttp://virginiawestern.edu/services/ltc

Upcoming Student Workshops - Flyer

PREPARING TO TAKE THE VPT

VPT Practice Test with DiagnosticsFollow specific Login instructionsNo English Essay available

PREPARING TO TAKE THE VPT

Thank you for your time!!!!!!!!! We are here to support you …. A survey will be forthcoming

Contact Info

WRAP UP

Chris Porter - Learning Technology Center Manager 540-857-6697

porterc@virginiawestern.edu

Brooke Ferguson – Coordinator of Developmental Education 540-857-6323bferguson@virginiawestern.edu

Melissa Williams – LTC Remote Testing Site Liaison 540-857-7250

mwilliams@virginiawestern.edu