Assessment + retention = student success.

Retention. It's the word that has a stronghold on the focus of faculty and administrators in community colleges everywhere. As these institutions continue to exhibit a genuine commitment to designing programs meeting the needs of the educational community, this word shows up time and again at the top of the priority list.

Part of the challenge associated with maintaining a high-retention rate stems from the diverse manners in which education is now being delivered. Not only are students walking through the door on campus, but they are also showing up onscreen or in other manners as a result of innovative distance education programs that are being implemented. In addition, when asked to describe your typical student, this is no longer something that can be done in 10 words or less. As a result of your ability to truly meet the educational needs of an expanded community, access to an even greater number of students from a variety of backgrounds and with a diverse resume of experiences has been extended.

With the ever-changing face of the community college, the need to ensure personal success early in a student's academic career remains critical to the retention of that student. Accurately placing a student into a course well matched to his or her capabilities is the first step on the road to retaining this student. By carefully evaluating each student and having a clear understanding of the abilities required for each of your courses, you will empower students to succeed academically with their first step and in the many steps to follow. Once students realize they can be successful in a single course, students will be more inclined to move forward on a personalized academic path and will have the confidence needed to meet the established goals.

In order to assess all of your incoming students, it is important to find a single program that can be personalized to the standards of your institution and meet all of your needs. ACCUPLACER, an Internet-based assessment program, can aid your institution by efficiently and effectively matching each student with the course best-aligned to his or her capabilities.

Whether you need to assess a student overseas enrolled in your distance-education program or a traditional-aged student on the main campus, ACCUPLACER will meet the challenge. As long as there is a qualified proctor and an Internet connection, you can administer these assessments anytime, anywhere. The results are immediate and support instant advising. These tests, in the areas of math, reading, English and writing, along with equivalent tests for your ESL students (including a listening piece), are adaptive and assess the full range of abilities, thereby providing accurate placement.

Retention rates will continue to be linked to success. Each individual's retention translates into a story of academic progress and more importantly, student success. Making sure your institution is well-prepared to empower-these students is the best thing you can do to increase or to maintain an already high retention rate. ACCUPLACER will prove to be a valuable partner in this process.

MICHELLE OVERSTREET

THE COLLEGE BOARD