Forming a State College Testing Association – Why and How

1. Forming a State College Testing Association – Why and How Presented by Janet Martindale, Eastern Wyoming College Margo H. Perry, Casper College

2. Where is Wyoming?

3. Diverse Geography

4. Challenges • 97,914 square miles, 9th largest state in area • 563,626 population (2010 Census) • 91% of land is classified as rural • Estimated population of antelope is greater than the human population

5. Only One University University of Wyoming • Land-grant university • Located in Laramie, Wyoming, situated on Wyoming's high Laramie Plains • An elevation of 7,200 feet, between the Laramie and Snowy Range mountains • Serves approximately 13,000 students

6. Seven Community Colleges • Limited to seven by state statute • Governed by the Wyoming Community College Commission • Common course numbering

7. Casper College • Established in 1945 as Wyoming's first junior college • Located in Casper, the geographic center of Wyoming • Campus consists of 28 buildings on more than 200 acres • Serves approximately 5000 students

8. Outreach Centers – None

9. Central Wyoming College • Founded in 1966 by a county-wide vote • Located near the confluence of the Big and Little Wind Rivers in Riverton • Home of Wyoming PBS, the state's only public broadcasting station • Serves approximately 2300 students

10. Central Wyoming College - Outreach Centers in Jackson, Lander, Thermopolis, Dubois, and the Wind River Reservation

11. Eastern Wyoming College College • Established 1948 as an extension of the University of Wyoming • In 1956 became an independent college • Located near the Nebraska border • Serves approximately 1500 students

12. Eastern Wyoming College Outreach Centers – Chugwater, Douglas, Glendo, Glenrock, Guernsey, Hulett, LaGrange, Lusk, Moorcroft, Newcastle, Sundance, Wheatland, Upton

13. Laramie County Community College • Established in 1968 • Located in Cheyenne • Campus on 271 acres with 22 buildings • Serves approximately 4,500 students

14. Laramie County Community College – Outreach Centers in Laramie, F. E. Warren Air Force Base and Pine Bluffs

15. Northwest Community College • Established 1946 as an extension of the University of Wyoming • 1953 is became an independent college • Located in Powell, 70 miles from Yellowstone • Serves approximately 2200 students

16. Northwest Community College Outreach Centers – Cody, Worland

17. Sheridan College • Founded in 1948 as the Northeast Agricultural Junior College • Located in the northeast corner of the state • Serves approximately 4000 students

18. Outreach Centers - Gillette, Kaycee, Wright, Buffalo

19. Western Wyoming Community College • Established in 1959 • Located in the Rock Springs, the southwestern part of the state • Serves approximately 1800 students

20. Outreach Center – Green River

21. What We Wanted to Achieve • Bring testing personnel together to discuss issues that affect our institutions • Create a state organization to enhance communications between colleges • Standardize testing practices within the colleges • Support distance education within the state

22. Wyoming Distance Education Consortium • Standing advisory committee for the council of Academic Vice Presidents of the Wyoming Community College Commission • Representatives from all seven Wyoming community colleges and the University of Wyoming • Coordinates distance education opportunities which are cost-effective and innovative

23. NCTA Grant • Applied for an NCTA grant to fund • Travel to and from the conference • Lodging for one night for the participants • Meals for the participants • Miscellaneous items, such as printing and mailing costs

24. Research • Contacted NCTA members from other state organizations • Compiled information on how these groups were organized • Acquired copies of mission statements and by-laws to use as examples

28. Accomplishments One representative from each of the community colleges and one from the University of Wyoming met at Casper College on April 20-21

29. Agenda

30. Mission Statement Mission: To promote testing integrity, communication, collaboration, and community access and support, in accordance with the standards set by the National College Testing Association. Purpose: • Enhance professional testing practices; • Provide opportunities for professional development; • Advance collaboration among testing professionals, testing companies and state policy making agencies; and • Provide support activities and technical assistance for information sharing, best practice resources, and program enhancement efforts. Membership is open to all Wyoming college personnel interested in learning and applying best practices for test administration. WyoCTA recommends college testing centers waive test administration fees for distance learning classes delivered by any Wyoming college.

31. Future Conference • To be held at Central Wyoming College in Riverton • Spring 2013

32. Web Site • To be hosted by Casper College • Included links to all of the other colleges

33. Listserv • To be hosted by Casper College • To include all testing personnel from the colleges, including those at Outreach Centers

34. Issues • Budget cuts • Lack of central testing centers • New IT at Casper College

35. Future Plans • Implement Web site and listserv • Meet again in 2013 • Increase membership in the state organization • Promote NCTA membership

36. Checklist – Before Meeting • Seek other interested test administrators • Gain administrative approval at your institution • Contact NCTA State or Regional representative to find more information • Apply for an NCTA grant, if necessary

37. Checklist – Before Meeting • Set convenient date and time for meeting • Invite other testing personnel • Include a tentative agenda • Explore resources

38. Checklist – At the meeting • Determine purpose of organization • Choose formal or informal organization • Set up ways to communicate • Schedule a future meeting

39. Questions?