Pre - Post Testing

PRE-POST TESTINGDefinition: Tests administered upon an agreed upon "entry point" and "exit point." These tests can be standardized or locally-developed and test for broad general education learning or within a specific discipline or course. These might also be performance-based. Examples: Any standardized or locally developed test which is given at an agreed upon entry point, or exit point. Costs: If using a standardized test, costs will include the purchasing, administering and scoring of the tests (see costs associated with standardized tests). If using locally developed tests then the costs will include development, validation, and scoring for the tests (see costs associated with locally developed one-shot items). Advantages:
Useful method for measuring the "value-added" by a program of study
The "after-only" design of documenting learning is a weak approach because positive change cannot necessarily be attributed to the effectiveness of a program.
Pre-tests serve several purposes: knowledge of the current status of a group may provide guidance for future activities as well as the basis of comparison for a post-test results; administering a test of entry behavior can determine whether assumed prerequisites have been achieved. Disadvantages:
Hard to discern if the positive change charted in a pre-post test is due to learning in the classroom or simply natural maturation.
Due to students dropping out, the post-test results may be higher because those who remain are more successful or persistent.
Problems with statistics: if the control group scored so low that they can only go up, or the control group that scored so high little improvement will be indicated in the post-test scores.
If using the same test for both the pre- and post-test, some argue that students will absorb knowledge just from taking the test and will attend more readily to the content.
Concentrates on value-added rather than outcomes assessment.
Tendency to teach to the post-test. Implementation Suggestions:
Use alternative approaches to pre-post tests:
non-equivalent control group design;
Time-series design;
Causal modeling.
Divide student sample randomly into two subgroups. Give one subgroup test form A at the pre-test and give the other subgroup test from B at the pre-test. Then switch for the post-test. This could provide two independent measures of gain.
The post-test mean for the second subgroup (on test form A) minus the pre-test mean for the first subgroup (on test form A).
The post-test mean for the first subgroup minus the pre-test mean for the second subgroup-both on test form B. An unbiased estimate of the average gain is the average (or weighted average if the sample sizes are different) of these two differences.
Pre-tests are useful in identifying the course of action necessary to achieve the desired outcomes, but it isn't necessary to then match the post-test to the pre-test. Recommendation: Research indicates that the pre/post-test concept is wrought with problems. The main question to be asked is whether we want to assess value-added, or assess learning outcomes. References/Examples: Krumwiede, Robert. "Pre and Post Tests" Online posting. 26 Aug. 1996. Assess-Assessment in Higher Education. assess@lsv.uky.ed. Micceri, Ted. "Pre and Post Tests" Online posting. 20 Aug. 1996. Assess-Assessment in Higher Education.assess@lsv.uky.ed. "Pre/Post Assessment." Institutional Effectiveness. Assessment. University of Kentucky. July 19, 2002. http://www.uky.edu/Assessment/mpre.shtml "The Pros and Cons for Pre and Post Testing."http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/ae/pdf/ie_prepost.pdf (file size 8K)You must have the Adobe Acrobat Reader software to access this page Whitney, Douglas. "Pre and Post Tests" Online posting. 20 Aug. 1996. Assess-Assessment in Higher Education.assess@lsv.uky.ed.

Make a Diffeence

SUCCESS is not a matter of CHANCE; It's a matter of CHOICE. This line has always been injected in my mind since I first began to think for my future. My parents stood up for our future but they can hardly supply our daily needs since we belong in the needy family. My father's little income will not even bought food for us so we have to sell cellophane, papers, etc., in the market just to help, at times. I told myself to stop schooling because we don't have money to buy my needs in school. There are times that I cannot find PEACE of mind in our home because my father is alcoholic and gave only a little amount of his salary to my mother that's result to quarrel. I almost lost HOPE , but it always in my mind to pursue just to make a difference.

JOHN FOPPEPersonal Improvement ExpertBorn without arms, John Foppe has had to break down and re-engineer every aspect of day-to-day life. He learned that the inability to do something didn’t rest on the lack of resources or vision. Instead, it has more to do with one’s subconscious perception to meeting a challenge head on.In the field as part of John Foppe's master’s degree in social work, John saw this scenario play out repeatedly. To his surprise, he discovered that many people subconsciously substitute personal improvement with systems to support their perceived limitations. As a speaker, John Foppe also witnessed this resistant mindset operate in all sort of companies. He repeatedly heard leaders complain about how difficult is to motivate their people. John has addressed this common challenge through years of research, clinical study and field testing, which ultimately led to the discovery of the primary cause of failed vision execution. In light of this important, personally-significant discovery, John Foppe has developed a variety of solutions to help individuals and leaders overcome their exasperation and translate their visions into outcomes. John Foppe's compelling story and methods caught the attention of the legendary Zig Ziglar, who broke his long-standing rule of promoting from within and recruited and mentored John.In 1995, John Foppe launched a successful training business that has taken him to 15 different countries, pro-football organizations like the Miami Dolphins, and to Fortune 500 clients such as Boeing, GE, and State Farm. John’s insights on how the biggest vision can be derailed by the smallest bit of resistance are now being used to orchestrate the missions of visionaries and change agents around the world.

A Bend In The Road
When we feel we have nothing left to giveand we are sure that the song has ended,When our day seems over and the shadows falland the darkness of night has descended,Where can we go to find the strengthto valiantly keep on trying?Where can we find the hand that will drythe tears that the heart is crying?There’s but one place to go and that is to God,and dropping all pretense and pride,We can pour out our problems without restraintand gain strength with Him at our side.And together we stand at life’s crossroadsand view what we think is the end,But God has a much bigger vision,and He tells us it’s only a bend,For the road goes on and is smoother,and the pause in the song is a rest,And the part that’s unsung and unfinishedis the sweetest and richest and best.So rest and relax and grow stronger –let go and let God share your load.Your work is not finished or ended –you’ve just come to a bend in the road.
Helen Steiner Rice

Put Your Problems In God's Hands
Although it sometimes seems to usour prayers have not been heard,God always knows our every needwithout a single word,And He will not forsake useven though the way is steep,For He is always near to us,a tender watch to keep...And in good time He'll answer us,and His love He'll sendGreater things than we have askedand blessings without end.So though we do not understandwhy trouble comes to man,Can we not be contentedjust to know it is God's plan?
Helen Steiner Rice

Climb Till Your Dreams Come True
Often your tasks will be many,and more than you think you can do-often the road will be ruggedand the hills insurmountable too-
but always remember, the hillsahead are never as steep as they seem,and with faith in your heart start upwardand climb 'till you reach you dream.
For nothing in life that is worthyis ever too hard to achieveif you have the faith to believe-
for faith is a force that is greaterthan knowledge or power or skilland many defeats turn to triumphif you trust in God's wisdom and will-
for faith is a mover of mountains, there's nothing that God cannot do.So start out today with faith in your heartand "climb 'till your dream comes true"!
Helen Steiner Rice

Within You Is The Strength To Meet Life's Challenges
You are stronger than you think -remember to stand tall.Every challenge you encounterstrengthens your mind and your soul.Every trouble you overcomeincreases your understanding of life.When all your troubles weigh heavilyon your shoulders,remember that beneath the burdenyou can stand tall,because you are never givenmore than you can handle -and you are strongerthan you think.