Entry Level assessments include information provided to the University through the application process and initially entered into our Student Information System. These assessments include college entrance exam scores (ACT, SAT), high school GPA, class rank, and demographic data. The University College is the academic unit responsible for monitoring student performance on entrance examinations and placement in developmental courses designed to remove academic deficiencies. Section 19 of Act 1052 of the 1987 Arkansas Legislature requires all state-supported colleges and universities to institute a Freshmen Assessment and Placement Program.
In early 2018, the Office of Assessment recommended that the ETS Proficiency Profile replace the discontinued CAAP exam as the institution’s mid-level assessment (i.e. rising junior exam). The Proficiency Profile was first administered during spring 2018. The ETS Proficiency Profile tests the same skill areas as the CAAP exam, including reading, writing, math, natural sciences, humanities (i.e. arts & literature), and social sciences. Unlike the discontinued CAAP exam, the Proficiency Profile also provides an assessment of Critical Thinking
Learning outcomes related to discipline-specific knowledge are assessed with Senior Assessments. Comprehensive Examinations are administered within Departments or degree programs. Scantron answer sheets, along with a key, are brought to the Assessment Office. Answer sheets are scored, and the data, in electronic format, are returned to the degree program or Department. The Comprehensive Examination is divided into sections related to knowledge, skill, or competency areas, such that performance on the exam can be traced back to mastery of specific competency areas. Some academic units are using standardized tests generated by accrediting agencies or other professional entities in place of a Comprehensive Examination. For example, the School of Education is using the ETS® Praxis II exam and the School of Business is using the Peregrine Academic Services standardized exam in Business Administration and Accounting. These types of standardized exams serve the same purpose as the Comprehensive Examination. The Assessment Office receives electronic scores from these standardized exams, which could be linked back to performance at other transition points using the Student ID as the common database element. A Senior Assessment can also take the form of a Senior Project. Departments must construct a rubric with 4 levels of accomplishment for each knowledge, skill, or competency demonstrated by the Senior Project. The Senior Project will be assessed according to the rubric, using a Scantron sheet. Scantron assessment sheets are brought to the Assessment Office. Assessments are scored, and the data, in electronic format, are returned to the degree program or Department.
Follow up assessment takes the form of a satisfaction surveys of alumni. Satisfaction surveys assess alumni’s preparation for life, the world of work and/ or graduate studies. They measure programs and extra-curricular activities and their effects on the achievement of learning outcomes vital to a student’s complete development. Although satisfaction surveys are a transition point assessment, they are not tied to the other transition point assessments through a student ID. Nevertheless, they are an integral part of assessing whether academic units are producing graduates competitive in the job market and in graduate school.
During the Fall 2019 term, UAPB contracted for Watermark’s Field Experience Management (FEM) add-on. FEM is a tool used to manage assessments of learning outcomes during internships, field experiences, and student teaching. FEM allows assessment of learning outcomes by a Mentor (such as principals or teachers in a school district or the direct report at the field site), a Supervisor (a UAPB instructor for the course associated with the field experience), or even the Intern (student undertaking the internship or field experience). For the Supervisor and the Intern, assessments are conducted in their existing LiveText account. Mentors receive, via email from support@watermarkinsights.com a username, password, and login instructions for an account where assessments are conducted. Assessment rubrics unique to each type of field experience are created and shared with the Mentor, Supervisor and Intern, and archived within LiveText.
Field experiences are managed within degree programs by Placement Coordinators. The Placement Coordinator is responsible for updating a database of site data, Mentor data (especially the mentor’s email address), and subject data. This is done using templates provided by the FEM Administrator (Mr. Arthur Thomas). Templates are Excel files with standardized fields, required for setting up FEM in LiveText. Placement Coordinators send updates of these templates to Mr. Thomas each semester. Placement Coordinators are also responsible for assigning an Intern to a site and to a Mentor at the beginning of every field experience.
The Office of Assessment takes responsibility for administering FEM, while Placement Coordinators and degree programs themselves are responsible for providing Mentor and Site data, via the FEM Mentor and FEM Sites templates, and for generating assessments for various actors in the field experience.
Click training session for Placement Coordinators to review the session for Placement Coordinators held on August 20, 2019.
How do I access LiveText for my use?
You will need Internet access and a LiveText Standard Student Membership. The menu on the left provides a link to the LiveText Website.
How much does it cost and what do I get for it?
It has already been paid for by the University.
The LiveText Student Membership – Standard Edition – offers you full access to LiveText Solutions for the entire time you are enrolled in a program. Renewal rates to extend services after LiveText membership expiration are available for one, two, and three-year periods.
Where can I get help learning how to use LiveText?
The LiveText website has a number of training resources for your use. In addition, the LiveText Help Center provides additional training and information.
Does it matter which browser I use to access my LiveText account?
Yes, FireFox is the recommended FREE Internet browser for use with LiveText, But Chrome and Safari work just fine.
Why use LiveText when students already use Blackboard?
Students can create and store documents in LiveText for long-term access even after graduation.
LiveText allows the college to align student work with professional standards for program accreditation purposes.
LiveText also allows the College to aggregate student assignment data for reporting purposes.
I forgot my username and/or password. What should I do?
Contact LiveText and they will email you your information. Also the popup menu under login has a “Forgot Password” link.
I recently got married and changed my name. Should I update it with LiveText?
Yes! keeping your contact information up to date with LiveText will prevent unnecessary delays and confusion.
To change your name in LiveText, log into your current account and submit your request to support@livetext.com.
Arthur Thomas, LiveText Administrator
Office of Assessment
thomasa@uapb.edu
870-575-8173
Steve Lochmann, Director
Office of Assessment
assessment@uapb.edu
870-575-8170
