September 3, 1998

Leslie Hitchcock
News Editor

Classes will be canceled on Sept. 15, not only for the convocation ceremony, but for the inaugural “Focus Day.”

Students who enrolled in fall 1998 will be administered tests in writing, critical thinking or reading.

The testing should assess the learning outcomes of students, said Acting Director of Assessment Dr. Randy Swing.

Students will be randomly selected to take either the reading or math and science tests, Sept. 15.

The reading tests will be the standard ACT that will compare students nationally.

According to Swing, the math and science test is unique in that it was devised by professors in the math and science departments.

“We want to know if (students) learned what we wanted to teach them,” Swing said.  That is why a standardized test was not used, he said.

Assessment testing is growing in need in the surrounding states, Swing said.

Universities in Virginia and South Carolina are receiving funding based on assessment performance, and that will make its way into North Carolina, Swing said.

The Southern Association of Schools, which accredits Appalachian State, “expects us to show that we are assessing students’ learning to meet the standards of quality,” said Swing.

Students who take the tests will earn the right to register early for spring semester.

Swing urges all freshmen to take the tests.  “Unless we have high participation, we can’t determine the results,” he said.

There will be three make-up tests for those who miss the original date.  According to Swing, students only need to show up at the site.

Additional information on the time periods will be sent to students through campus mail.

“Students need to watch their mail boxes in the next few days for admit tickets,” Swing said.  The ticket will tell the student where to take the test.

Testing will occur from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Another Focus Day will be held on January 21.  Students who entered Appalachian in fall 1997 will receive tests similar to ones they took during phase one orientation, Swing said.

“The students will take the same test, but in a different version, to see if college has changed their answers,” said Swing.