Change is the order of the day in higher education. This is now truer than ever in the area of standardized assessments. Whether the change is being mandated by a state or federal agency or by your faculty, there is an impact to the Testing and Assessment Office. Therefore, it is imperative that Testing and Assessment is included as a key stakeholder in the decision making and implementation planning of any new assessment. Testing and Assessment's expertise is vital to the success of the implementation process. The presenters will discuss the process employed by Miami Dade College to identify, select, and implement a new standardized ESL placement test. It will include key factors from the academic and administration sides to consider when selecting a new instrument. They will also discuss ACCUPLACER ESL, a holistic instrument that accurately assesses students and allows for additional features and functionality which meet the customization needs of an institution.

Conference Track: Professional Development

Excited about today's keynote presentation on the role of distance education in re-imagining testing? This session provides an opportunity to continue the conversation with our keynote speaker. Come join Rhonda and your fellow NCTA colleagues in an informal setting to ask questions, exchange ideas, and broaden your understanding of distance learning and its intersection with the world of testing.

Conference Track: Professional Development

With the implementation of Florida's performance funding model, student retention and completion rates in Florida's public postsecondary institutions are now tied directly to their state funding. To address this challenge, strategic enrollment management (SEM) plays a vital role as Florida institutions endeavor to manage these mandates. SEM requires all areas at an institution to focus their initiatives and area goals on meeting the institution-wide goals of retention and completion. Testing and assessment areas should play a vital role by providing key institutional stakeholders with information and data to make informed decisions. Since assessment is an integral component in determining the success of programs and initiatives, the testing and assessment area is ideally equipped to assist with this vital assessment service as well as assist students with options and services to promote persistence. We will discuss the methods and strategies used by Testing and Assessment at Miami Dade College and which can be applied at any postsecondary institution.

Conference Track: Professional Development