Prior to admitting a student into your educational program, there are many questions that can only be answered by assessments. Here are four reasons why testing should be a key part of your admissions and placement process.
Today we'd like to share with you four reasons why
student assessment prior to admittance and placement into your training program is vital to a successful educational experience for both the student and your school.
First, doing a student assessment before they are admitted into your program means you can confidently identify individuals that have the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to be successful in a particular training program and occupation. If students are admitted who cannot meet the program requirements, they will likely have a poor experience and place an additional burden on instructors and school resources. With today’s technology, students can self-administer the assessment early in the admissions process, allowing your team to quickly identify any areas that need further discussion.
Second, assessing a potential student before they are admitted will allow you to provide direction with confidence when considering placement options. Knowing each student’s skill level and learning potential can help you determine an educational plan designed specifically for them. Together, you can set goals that are appropriate to their learning style and enroll them in courses that fit their needs.
Third, pre-admissions assessments do more than just measure cognitive ability, basic math, and basic verbal skills. Understanding the risk factors that can impact a student’s ability to successfully complete the program gives schools the opportunity for early intervention, which can be the difference between failure and success. Knowing things like—have they dropped out of school before? Do they have a support structure? Do they have the ability to work independently? How many hours do they expect to spend on school work each week?— will help you identify students who are more likely to drop out, not show up for class, or default on their student loan. By identifying these behaviors before admission, you can ensure that students who are truly committed to their education and fully intend on reaching their goals are filling your classrooms.
And finally, if you know exactly where your students are academically when they start, you have a starting point which you can compare them to as they move through their education. You will know exactly how much progress they’ve made over time, where they need more work, where their strengths are, and evaluate measures to help them reach their goals.
