Dr. Priscilla Palmer, Testing Specialist
Richland Community College
One College Park
Decatur, IL 62521
To Whom It May Concern:
It gives me great pleasure to tell you how Richland Community College is utilizing the Accuplacer Online Course, which is a Longsdale Publishing Company product. We began using this program in 2015. The reason I decided to try the program was that many of our students were testing into the developmental reading, writing and math courses on their first testing session. We only allow students two testing sessions and what I discovered is that most of the students who placed in developmental the first try, did not do any better the second time around. One of the reasons why they did not do as well included, testing anxiety, lack of skills in those particular areas and having been out of school for a long period of time. Although we had test prep websites on our testing portal, students were not availing themselves of these tools. I decided to purchase the Accuplacer Online Course because it was a program that actually mirrored all of the areas on the actual Accuplacer test.
In our first year of using the program, I had my proctors refer those students who wanted to retest, to me. I sat down with each individual and helped them to set-up the username and password and gave them a demonstration of how to use the program. My suggestion to them was that they use the program at least for one month before coming in to retest. This was dependent upon their initial test score. Some students needed fewer weeks of practice. What I discovered was that students who took this seriously and actually went through the program modules, were able to test out of the developmental courses and into the credit bearing courses. The advisors were so excited about the testing results that they requested permission to sign-up their students prior to them taking the test. That has now become our routine. When students come to the Testing Center to take their first test or retake the test, the first thing we ask them is whether or not they have used the Accuplacer Online Course. If they say “no” then we suggest that they do and the proctor gives them the information. I was working at the Testing Center desk one day and I made that suggestion to a student and helped her to access the program. She came back several weeks later and thanked me for suggesting that she use the program. She admitted that she really learned a lot and it helped her to pass out of the developmental class and into the class she needed to take. We get a lot of testimonials like that from many of our students who use the Accuplacer Online Course. I really like the administrative tool as well as it allows me to see the students progress. I have had students who did not score well on the second test tell me that they used the program and still did not do well. I was able to go into the administrative site and pull up their account and tell them that according to my records, they never used it and that generally ends the discussion.
We have used the Accuplacer Online Course here at Richland Community College for over six years and we couldn’t be happier with the results that we have been able to achieve. I believe that using this program has also helped with our retention efforts here at the college. When students are not stuck in developmental classes, they have a better chance of finishing their program of choice and graduating from college. Richland Community College will continue to provide this valuable program for all of our future students.
Kind regards,
Dr. Priscilla Palmer
