Public Relations

NWACC Testing Center adapts to growth, gets accolades

            BENTONVILLE (November 27, 2007) – At a recent state workshop sponsored by American College Testing (ACT), Don Pitchford, the regional ACT/COMPASS representative, recognized NWACC Testing Center as a best practices facility in Arkansas.

            Shannon Siebler, Coordinating of Testing Services at NWACC was asked to demonstrate how NWACC uses COMPASS.

            Additionally, Shannon had the opportunity to highlight and discuss her goal of forming a statewide testing association affiliated with National College Testing Association (NCTA)

            Currently, Shannon serves as the state liaison for the NCTA and noted that Arkansas is one of a only a few states without such an association.

            Shannon has made contact with institutions throughout the state and currently has 24 interested partners.

            Siebler commented, “I anticipate the interest in forming a state testing association will continue to rise.”

            Increased student enrollment and the number of distance education sections offered requiring proctored evaluations in the Testing Center stretches the ability to provide adequate testing services.

            A review of statistics over the last 2 years shows an increase of 200 percent in DL proctored tests from 2005 to 2007.

            To help address the crunch, the Testing Center was reconfigured with one side for computer testing and the other for pencil/paper workstations.

            Also, an additional 5 computer stations were added. This increases the capacity to 25 computer and 20 paper/pencil workstations available for student exams.

            “Shannon Siebler and Janie Todd continue to provide great customer service to students and faculty,” said Dr. Michael Kirk, dean of Learner Services. “I am amazed at the changes that we have been able to incorporate into our testing center over the last two years.

            “The growth of testing and the sheer volume of tests proctored have been phenomenal.”

CAPTION: NWACC students line up at the Testing Center, which has seen a 200 percent increase in DL proctored tests from 2005 to 2007.

For questions/comments on this content, please contact jhall@nwacc.edu