ETS Launches Assessment Tool To Improve Retention
Educational Testing Service (ETS) has launched SuccessNavigator, an assessment tool designed to help improve retention and graduation rates among incoming college students.
The Web-based self-assessment takes 30 minutes to complete. Reports are then delivered to the student and their advisor, and an aggregate institutional report is also created. Advisor Reports include information on academic skills, commitment, self-management, and social support, and provide "next steps," suggestions for improvement that range from tutoring to health to career counseling.
"When paired with traditional cognitive placement exams, the SuccessNavigator assessment identifies those students who are candidates for acceleration through a developmental education sequence, or those who can bypass the final level of developmental coursework and be placed directly in credit-bearing classes," according to an ETS news release.
"The unique SuccessNavigator Advisor Reports will be pivotal in supporting our students' success," said Kevin Li, dean of instruction at Wilbur Wright College, City Colleges of Chicago, in a prepared statement. "Paired with City Colleges' placement examinations, the SuccessNavigator assessment has the potential to help us more accurately place — and when appropriate, accelerate students — to optimize our retention and graduation rates."
For more information about SuccessNavigator, visit ets.org.
About the Author
Joshua Bolkan is contributing editor for Campus Technology, THE Journal and STEAM Universe. He can be reached at [email protected].