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Collaboration Adds NOCTI Assessment Data to Classlink Classmate^TM

Collaboration Adds NOCTI Assessment Data to ClassLink ClassMate™
Career & Tech Ed Educators Requested this Data and ClassLink Answered

CLIFTON, NJ, April 27, 2010 - ClassLink has collaborated with NOCTI to add NOCTI assessment data to its industry leading ClassLink ClassMate solution. This collaboration now gives ClassMate users the ability to import and analyze student NOCTI scores and create a multitude of different individualized and summary reports. Reports can be created at the student, class, or school detail. Pie charts, bar graphs, and tables can be made to visually analyze student scores in both the written and performance components of the test.

“Both ClassLink and NOCTI are avid supporters of career and technical education nationally, and by working together, we are helping schools to make better data-driven decisions about how to improve instruction, and ultimately, student performance in the classroom,” said Kathy Warke, Vice President of Career and Tech Ed, ClassLink. Dr. Robert Lees, Administrative Director of Berks Career & Technology Center in Leesport, PA, added, “We are very pleased that ClassLink created a solution for importing the student assessment scores from NOCTI into ClassMate. Now our teachers will have instant access to both pre-test and post-test scores on their students. This will enhance their ability to analyze both written and performance components of the NOCTI assessment. They can determine where learning gaps exist and which areas of instruction will need to be reinforced. Having this type of data will direct curriculum renewal and help our teachers improve instruction. This ClassMate solution also provides our school with the ability to more efficiently measure our overall progress in improving student achievement.”

Classlink Classmate™ is the only student administration and curriculum management software exclusively designed for Career and Technical Education. Developed in partnership with career and technical administrators, teachers, and counselors, ClassMate features a wide array of functionality to help establish standardized policies and procedures within an organization. ClassMate provides CTE schools the ability to organize and analyze student performance, assessment, and curriculum mapping data. The new NOCTI score module now enables CTE schools to import NOCTI assessment data for even more detail.

“Career and tech educators are being held to a higher degree of accountability than ever before in terms of technical assessment and the data resulting from the use of technical assessments. It makes sense for NOCTI to be working closely with ClassLink and its student information system to better communicate student achievement results to CTE educators. This collaboration converts very detailed information regarding CTE student competence and transforms it to an essential tool for instructional improvement,” said Dr. John Foster, CEO, NOCTI.

About NOCTI
NOCTI provides curricular and instructional improvement tools for secondary and postsecondary institutions. In addition to over 75 standardized assessments, NOCTI also works with customers to create customized solutions. Services include job and task analysis, assessment construction, assessment delivery, score reporting, score interpretation and professional development workshops. The Whitener Group, a subsidiary of NOCTI, addresses the needs of business/industry by offering customized solutions to enhance workplace productivity.

About ClassLink
Founded in 1998, ClassLink’s mission is to empower educators to improve learning through innovative systems and services. ClassLink solutions provide administrators tracking and usage information to allow for informed decision making which lowers the overall cost of technology. For more information, visit www.ClassLink.com, call 888-963-7550 or email info@ClassLink.com.

SME Spotlight: Ron Pasqualetti

Every new assessment development and every assessment revision that NOCTI conducts involves teamwork. We have been privileged to work with hundreds of tremendous subject matter experts (SMEs) over the years. SMEs must have at least three years of recent full-time experience in the particular subject area involved, although most of our SMEs have impressive and extensive histories in the field. These are dedicated people who take a personal role in contributing to technical education improvements. Our test revision or test development process takes some time and hard work, but these individuals create space in their already busy schedules to come together and drive the process of assessment revision or development.

NOCTI wants to honor our SMEs by featuring one of these individuals in our “SME Spotlight” section of the newsletter. We think you will agree that these people are dynamic and inspiring individuals, and we want to offer our sincere appreciation to these spotlighted team members and to all of our excellent SMEs!

This edition of the SME Spotlight shines the light on Mr. Ron Pasqualetti from New York. Ron has worked with NOCTI on the following test revisions and many other testing projects over the years. Ron has also been a much relied on “go-to” person for technical questions that require a quick and dependable response.

Architectural Drafting (2010)
Building Construction Occupations (2010)
CAD (2006)
CAD/CAM (2006)
Construction/Architecture Pathway (2009)
Education and Training Cluster (2008)
General Drafting and Design (2010)
Pre-Engineering/Engineering Technology (2007)
Precision Machining (2008)
Technical Drafting (2006)

Ron Pasqualetti – Our Featured SME Hero! In his own words…

I learned about drafting during high school using traditional tools. Like many kids, I chose it because it was an elective course that I liked. I never thought I would grow to love it and make it a career. I earned an Associate’s Degree in mechanical drafting and was hired by an engineering firm at the beginning of my senior year of college. I worked during the day and finished my degree at night. Later, I recognized the need to further my education and started working on my four-year degree in mechanical engineering. Once again, I was working during the day and continuing my degree at night. I became a mechanical designer, and was thrilled to be part of my company’s design team.

I participated in a revolution of sorts! In 1988, the company I worked for purchased several new computers and a software called AutoCAD. My co-workers and I struggled and taught ourselves this frustrating and/or promising new tool.

In 1995, I began working towards my teaching certification. I attended class at night and continued with the same company earning a living working on mechanical systems for industrial clients.

I was hired by the Erie 2 Chautauqua Cattaraugus BOCES in 1997, have been a SkillsUSA advisor for 7 years, mentor teacher, and am a member of the Buffalo Niagara Solid Works Users Group. During my time off from teaching in the summer, I have worked as a designer for several local engineering firms. I have also provided CAD software training to local manufacturing companies. I feel lucky to participate in the mechanical design, teaching field and SME program at NOCTI.

I administered NOCTI tests to my students for three years. I had no idea that there was a revision process. I started as an SME based on a suggestion from my Career and Technical Education director.

I asked Ron the following questions about his longstanding relationship with NOCTI and the assessment revision and development process:

Question: Please elaborate on some of the more interesting or positive aspects of your associations with NOCTI.

Ron: You are a member of a dedicated team that together creates an assessment that is well balanced. When you participate in a test revision I don’t think you can help become a better question writer. The diverse background and input provided from each SME easily allows you to appreciate the student’s perspective when they take the test. You can understand how businesses, colleges, and high schools as well as different geographic locations perceive the test. Each SME has a personal interest in student achievement. It is a professionally rewarding responsibility to provide input on tests that impact our students and trades.

Question: Would you recommend becoming involved in a test revision or development team to other people?

Ron: I have explained the test revision process to several talented coworkers, friends and business associates. I always emphasize how dedicated and professional the people I have met through the test revision process are. Bonnie and the team at NOCTI are so good at what they do. Any reluctance that a new SME might have because of unfamiliarity with the process will disappear when they interact with the people at NOCTI.

If you are interested in participating in one of NOCTIs assessment revisions or new assessment developments, please contact Bonnie Newland at bonnie.newland@nocti.org.

Paper/Pencil Testing Important Reminders

Implementing the procedures listed below will ensure that your scores are processed as quickly as possible. Answer sheets sent to the NOCTI/Whitener Group with missing and/or with incorrect information may be returned to the site coordinator for corrections and a fee may be incurred. Before returning answer sheets, note the following:

An original Coordinator Cover Sheet is required when sending back answer sheets for scoring
Answer sheets should be sorted by test code
Performance ratings have been recorded (if applicable)
Answer sheets should be reviewed by the site coordinator before shipping to ensure all the required information has been filled out and bubbled in

Please refer to the Proctor Guide for a list of the required information and instructions for completing answer sheets.

Please contact NOCTI/The Whitener Group at 1-800-334-6283 if you have any questions.

Site Coordinator Training and Online Testing Demonstrations Schedule

Site Coordinator Training Schedule

NOCTI strongly recommends that new Site Coordinators plan to attend a Web teleconference Site Coordinator training session to help you feel comfortable in your new role. We welcome our “seasoned” Site Coordinators to join us and learn what’s new at NOCTI.

To participate, all you need is Internet access and a phone, preferably a land line with a speaker phone and mute feature. There is no cost to you. Those who are registered will receive instructions on how to connect a day or two before the session. Trainings last approximately 90 minutes and are scheduled for these times (Eastern Standard Time). We leave plenty of time for your questions.

Click here to Register today!

Site Coordinator Web Seminar Trainings
Tuesday, May 18 – 1 pm
Tuesday, June 1 – 3:30 pm
Wednesday, June 23 – 10 am
Wednesday, July 7 – 3 pm
Thursday, July 22 – 10 am

Online Testing Demonstrations

If your site will be using NOCTI’s online testing system, QuadNet™, we invite you to join a live, 30-minute, web-based demonstration session. Online Testing Demonstrations make a nice addition to your Site Coordinator Training.

Click here to Register today!

Online Testing Demonstrations
Thursday, May 20 – 10 am
Thursday, June 10 – 2 pm
Tuesday, July 13 – 10 am

Special Topics Web Seminar for Teachers

If you have not already registered for the Wednesday, May 19th, 2010
NOCTI’s Special Teacher Web Seminar,
there is still time . . .

How Can Data Improve My
Students’ Performance?

May 19, 2010
4:00 PM – 4:30 PM (eastern daylight time)

Learn how you can use your NOCTI data to improve student learning and improve curriculum. Key steps will be illustrated that teachers can use to document, identify, and deliver targeted instruction to meet a student’s specific learning needs.

Register Here