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NMC looks at exit exams
The Northern Marinas College’s reliance on exit exams in remediation courses came into question during last week’s board meeting.
Regent William Torres said during discussion that students nationwide usually have trouble with math and English courses, and asked whether student competency is still determined by an exit exam or is it in addition to the progress of performance of the student within the semester.
“If students are developing those competencies, test them throughout. Especially in math [courses], when they reach those competencies, they move on to the next level, when they complete those, they move on to the next level,” explained NMC president Dr. Sharon Hart.
Hart said she intends to meet with NMC’s Academic Program and Services to discuss the concerns further.
She said during discussion that she believed that 40 percent of a class grade in remediation courses came from the exit exam score, which was “much higher” before, according to her.
“We are one of the few institutions that require students [to take] a series of developmental courses depending on where they place,” she said.
She emphasized the need to review and look at other options or approaches to remediation that other institutions have taken.
