Assessment Day an opportunity to reflect on learning
By Olivia Latimer
Assignments Editor
Each year on a Tuesday in February, Waynesburg University holds its annual Assessment Day. The day is designed for students in varying classes to take surveys, comprehension tests in different subjects and any additional activities planned by the students’ department of study.
This year, Assessment Day will fall on Tuesday, Feb. 18. Classes will not resume until 6 p.m., making room for students to follow their assigned assessment day schedule.
Dr. James Bush, professor of mathematics and computer science, who is in charge of organizing Assessment Day and making it run smoothly, has finalized the master schedule that directs students for the day.
His biggest suggestion to students partaking in Assessment Day, especially first year students who are unfamiliar with the process, is to stick with what the schedule says.
“As long as you follow the schedule, you will be just fine,” said Bush. “No one will get hurt.”
During Assessment Day, freshmen are scheduled to take the freshmen survey, which helps the university get the student’s opinion of all aspects of the school. This survey allows them to act on some suggestions where they see fit.
Sophomore students will take the math assessment tests. Math and science majors will take what is called a Quant-Q exam, while everyone else will take the general math assessment exam, which consists of basic arithmetic and algebra.
“Students tend to fear the math test the most during Assessment Day,” said Bush. “Just relax with it.”
This year, Bush intends to make a study guide for the general math assessment test available for any student who wishes to prepare. The study guide will be available with the assessment day schedule, which students can access through the shared drive on MyConnect.
According to Bush, the Quant-Q exam has only been given to math and science students for the past three years.
“The test is a standardized instrument that measures quantitative thinking skills for math and science majors,” said Bush. “We decided to use this test instead of the general assessment because all the math and science students were acing it without being challenged.”
Junior students will take the critical thinking assessment exam, and senior students will follow varying schedules.
On Assessment Day, students are categorized based on their class year, not by the number of credits they have.
Depending on a student’s department of study, more events and activities could be required throughout the day.
Assessment Days are not something that all colleges and universities are required to have, but something that Waynesburg believes is beneficial to both students and faculty.
“It’s a great opportunity for students to reflect about their learning,” said Bush. “It’s also a great opportunity for departments and faculty to get feedback from students. We learn a lot from them and we have definitely acted on some of that feedback in the past.”
Bush encourages all students to be on time to each scheduled activity, to know their schedule and to just relax with the whole day as it is a beneficial opportunity for everyone involved.
Students are asked to bring their student identification to each scheduled activity. Students taking math assessment tests may bring a calculator for the exam and are required to bring a pencil.