Assessment Information

Student assessment is an ongoing part of the College Assessment Plan. Student participation and input is vital in evaluating individual academic progress, academic programs, and faculty.

Assessment Program

Educational institutions are required by their accrediting bodies to provide evidence of student learning and overall institutional performance. The College Assessment Plan provides the basis for assessment of both institutional effectiveness and student academic outcomes.  Students are required to participate in academic assessment activities as outlined. Students participate in evaluation of the academic program and faculty through end-of-semester course evaluations.

Academic assessment activities include those required in the nursing and general education courses such as tests, projects, papers, presentations, care plans, case studies, and clinical performance.  Additional measures include standardized tests given at the end of selected nursing courses.

Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) is an assessment and remediation company serving schools of nursing nationwide. ATI specializes in Internet based, nationally standardized assessments in entrance screening; critical thinking; clinical content mastery and the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX©) preparation. ATI provides tools for immediate, focused remediation and reassessment as well as a complete NCLEX review and preparation course available on DVD.

ATI Policy is found in the current catalog.

Description of Criterion Referenced ATI Proficiency Levels

ATI test results are reported as follows:

Performance meeting proficiency level 3 indicates student:

• Is very likely to exceed NCLEX standards for content area

• Demonstrates higher than expected level of knowledge in content area that confidently supports academic readiness for subsequent curricular content.

• Exceeds most expectations for performance in content area.

• Demonstrates achievement of a level of competence needed for professional nursing practice in content area that exceeds most expectations.

• Students are encouraged to engage in continuous focused review to maintain and improve knowledge of this content.

Performance meeting proficiency level 2 indicates student:

• Is fairly certain to meet NCLEX-RN standards for content area

• Demonstrates a level of knowledge in content area that more than adequately supports academic readiness for subsequent curricular content.

• Exceeds minimum expectations for performance in content area.

• Demonstrates achievement of a satisfactory level of competence needed for professional nursing practice in this content area.

Performance meeting proficiency level 1 indicates student:

• Is likely to just meet NCLEX-RN standards in content area.

• Demonstrates the minimum level of knowledge in this content area required to  support academic readiness for subsequent curricular content.

• Meets the absolute minimum expectations for performance in this content area.

• Demonstrates achievement of a minimal level of competence needed for professional nursing practice in this content area.

Performance below Proficiency level 1  indicates a need for thorough review of this content area. Students are required to develop and complete an intensive plan of focused review and follow process for remediation.

Academic Improvement Process

The student will be notified when one of the above has occurred.  The student and course instructor/coordinator will meet to discuss the situation, and to develop a plan to help the student become successful.  The course coordinator will complete the academic improvement plan form and the student and course coordinator will both sign it.   Three copies will be made (one for the student, one for the course coordinator, one for the student’s file in the Records Office, and one to be sent to the student’s faculty advisor).  The student will also meet with his/her assigned faculty advisor for further guidance and support.  The student’s academic progress will be monitored on an ongoing basis.  Ultimate responsibility for mastery of nursing course content and demonstration of satisfactory clinical performance rests with the student. The student will remain in the program until the completion of a semester in which academic performance meets or exceeds the parameters indicated above. A student on academic probation will remain in the Academic Improvement Program until completion of the nursing program.

NCLEX-RN Success Program:

The NCLEX-RN Success Program supports and promotes student success in the classroom and clinical arena plus helps prepare them for the NCLEX-RN exam.  Students are required to take and pass at proficiency level 2 or 3, the corresponding computerized ATI proctored Assessment.

Any student who scores proficiency level 1or 0 on any proctored ATI Assessment must participate in the NCLEX-RN Success Program .  The instructions and requirements for individual remediation will be outlined in detail in correspondence received from the Director of Assessment. All remediation work must be completed by the required due date in order to continue coursework and progress in the program of study.  Failure to comply with this policy may have ramifications for those petitioning for re-admission (see Readmission Policy).

Student Responsibilities

To adhere to the Guidelines and Policies of the ATI Process, the student will:

TAKE SPECIFIC COURSE PROCTORED ASSESSMENT:

• Present a copy of a non-proctored assessment with a score of >90% as a ticket to take the scheduled ATI proctored exam.

• Take the proctored assessment.

• Print 1 copy of the Individual Performance Profile.

  Students scoring a Proficiency Level 2 or 3 do not need to remediate. However, it is still highly recommended that student independently create 3x5 note cards on the Topics to Review and develop a plan for remediation.

  If the score is Proficiency Level 1 or below, remediation is necessary. See Student Handbook for information explaining non-proctored assessment testing, use of ATI DVDs, books, and skill modules. 

   

• Print 1 copy of Individual Performance Profile to direct remediation efforts

• From Topics to Review section, students need to create one 3x5 index card for each topic listed, listing the topic and review information pertaining to each topic.  

Develop a plan for remediation: which may include, but is not limited to use of corresponding ATI Book and DVD  (if applicable), course textbooks, ATI focused med-surg reviews, NCLEX-RN 3500 questions, ATI skills modules, Critical Thinking entrance exam results, Self Assessment Inventory results.

 

• Clarify the significance of your results and plan for remediation by meeting with your course coordinator, clinical instructor, mentor, or academic advisor. Students will leave meeting with a list of goals and an individualized plan for remediation.

TAKE NON-PROCTORED ASSESSMENTS:

• First, review individual results of the Proctored Assessment to identify specific weak areas (i.e.:  topics to review, outcomes, and NCLEX-RN Blueprint which requires remediation).

• For identified areas needing remediation:
• Review Content Mastery Module Booklets, focused reviews, and skill modules.
• Review course textbooks, course materials, and applicable media materials.
• Meet with course coordinator and/or clinical instructor.
• Take focused questions from NCLEX-RN 3500 available through LCN.
• Seek faculty guidance (during office hours) for further clarification of content as needed.

 

• Internet-based Non-Proctored testing may be done repeatedly as a mechanism to ensure level of competency and mastery of content.

• Non-Proctored testing should be repeated until a 90% correct or better score is achieved in order for the student to be successful at the time of final.  (The student must wait 48 hours between attempts if 90% is not achieved.)

• Submit a “Student Transcript” to the course coordinator/clinical instructor as the “ticket” to take the final exam.

DEFINITIONS

Proctored Assessments

A scheduled, timed test administered in the computer lab with an instructor supervising. Proctored test codes will be provided during login process.

Non-Proctored Assessments

Non-proctored assessments are available with unlimited access. These may be taken from home without instructor supervision, at your convenience, using practice codes provided.

NCLEX Blueprint Information

On each individual performance profile report, is a listing indicating student individual score pertaining to the current NCLEX-RN blueprint.  Students are encouraged to note this information.

Remediation Tests

A practice test available with unlimited access. Students are required to remediate to a score of >90% by date designated in e-mail announcements. Remediation codes are also called “practice codes” but are different from those used for practice tests.

Remediation Scores

After completing the above remediation measures, students will take (and possibly retake) the Non-Proctored/Unsecured assessments until obtaining a 90% score.

Review Modules/Content Mastery Series

Soft-covered booklets which are unit-based, teaching guides covering nursing topics via concise summaries and key concepts in the format of: critical thinking exercises using a case study approach, open-ended questions with rationales for clinical decisions, and clinical application scenarios.

Ready-Set-RN:  Preparing for the NCLEX RN (Booklet)

A booklet that includes NCLEX test-taking skills and testing procedures.  It is to be utilized throughout the program. There are no assessments associated with this module.

RN Comprehensive Predictor

A comprehensive assessment written directly from the most recent NCLEX blueprint that evaluates the student’s preparedness for the NCLEX-RN and directs student’s remediation efforts in areas of identified weaknesses.  This assessment also provides national percentile rankings and “cut score” information.

Percentage Score

Number of items answered correctly divided by the total number possible. A student must achieve a percentage of 90 in non-proctored assessments during the remediation phase.

ATI Books

To access the 2010 versions of the book:

Go to the homepage that you see when you log on to ATI.  Down at the bottom, under resources, you will see the label RN Review Modules.  Click on that + sign and you will see the list of the available versions of the book.  Scroll down to 2010 editions, and click on that.  You will then see the listing for all available books and have access to those books.