Moria Dailey
Published: January 25, 2006
There is a form of grade 14 assessment in place already, the College Level Skills Assessment Test (CLAST). To graduate, community college students are required to either take the test or meet one of the exemptions as outlined in PJC’s course catalogue.
“The CLAST was originally placed as an exam to predict the performance of community college graduates and university sophomores in the university setting,” Dr. Tom Delaino, PJC president, said.
He feels there is no need for another form of testing as it is clearly evident that community college students, including those from PJC, perform at the same level as native university students.
“The validity of this college lies in its faculty, its classes, and the grades the students receive,” Delaino said.
Delaino explained that there are two types of exams that the proposed testing program could take: high impact or low impact.
The CLAST is an example of a high impact test because it is of major importance to the future of students; if they pass, they’re allowed to continue with their education, but if they fail, they are unable to continue, Delaino said.
“It [CLAST] is a deterrent to graduation, even to the point that some students will never attempt it [the test], and therefore never graduate,” Delaino said.
“We’d just as soon it go away,” Bracken added, in reference to the CLAST.
Even though there are several ways in which students can be granted an exemption from the test, Bracken feels it is “still a problem.”
Charles Allen, a PJC student said, “I think if people can pass their classes they should be able to get out of school.”
The other form of exam, low impact, would be ineffective as to measure the real skill level of community college students because, as a low impact test, it would have no bearing on their education and therefore, Delaino theorizes, students would not make the required effort.
And students agree.
“If it doesn’t matter, why take it? I have pride, I mean I’d try. But I think it’s stupid to have to take an exam to get out of school,” Allen said.
Liandethza Ramirez, a student at PJC, pointed out the fact that students are already subjected to large standardized tests throughout high school, culminating with the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT).
“We’re in college; shouldn’t we be rewarded for something we’ve already earned,” Ramirez said. Every high school graduate doesn’t have the same objective, Delaino said, adding that there is far more logic in having a standardized test for those coming out of grade 12 than those in grade 14.
“For those continuing on to the junior year after getting their A.A. [Associate of Arts] degree, the only purpose is to start working for a baccalaureate degree,” Delaino explained.