Collegian (Hurst, Tex.), Vol. 2, No. 15, Ed. 1 Wednesday, February 28, 1990 Page: 8 of 15
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8 Collegian / TASP
Wednesday, February 28, 1990
TASP / Collegian 9
r * 1 TASP test demythicized
By Karen Douglas
Reporter
Students heard about it, took it, and are still unsure of the
requirements of the Texas Academic Skills Program Test
(TASP).
Texas public college and university students’ capabilities
are tested in reading, writing and mathematics through TASP.
The test was mandated bytheTexas Legislature because
of growing evidence that students lack basic academic skills
needed to succeed on a college level.
Students without at least three semester hours of college
credit prior to last fall are required to take TASP.
"Their intent of TASP is to get the students
identified with their specific problem areas."
- Don Richard
Don Richard, South Campus coordinator of testing and •
associate professor of psychology, said test sections may be
retaken, but students must pass all three TASP test sections
before they exceed 60 semester hours of college-level work.
T est results cannot keep students from attending college,
and students are not limited to the number of times he may
retake a test section.
“The intent of TASP is to get the students identified with
their specific problem areas, so they can be remediated and
become successful on higher-level college work,” Richard
said.
Students who had a minimum of three credited semester
hours last fall are exempt, as well as hearing-impaired or
blind students. However, by September 1991, blind or hearing-
impaired students will no longer be exempt from TASP.
“A specially designed test equivalent to TASP will be
available to help students with disabilities,” he said.
Though TASP is still in an early stage, future plans are
fortest results to be reported to high schools, Charles E. Bay,
district director of admissions and records, said.
“I think the TASP test is an idea whose time has come.
Based on the transcripts over the years, something needed
to be done,” he said.
No changes are planned for testing in the areas of
reading, writing and mathematics, Horace E. Griffitts, district
director of admissions and records, said.
“I think TASP is an excellent program. We have a real
interest in how well scores on the pre-TASP have helped in
student placement,” he said.
A direct correlation is evident between the scores on the
PTT and the TASP, Griffitts said.
After accumulating more test scores, plans are to send
an analysis back to the high schools, he said.
Students required to take TASP should register as early
as possible. For the registration fee of $24, copies of test
results are mailed to the students as well as to three colleges
of their choice.
Students can also order TASP test study guides from
their college testing center for $15.
Students also may register late by telephone, which
costs an additional $20. Call (512) 926-8746.
Students comment on TASP experience
By Kim Hatley
NW Campus News Editor
Students enrolled in remedial classes last fall found
confusion at the end of the semester when they discovered
they must again take the pre-TASP test (PTT) as well as pass
the TASP test to advance to college-level courses.
Chris Lyons, 19, NW Campus engineering major, thought
once he was placed in a remedial English class, all he had to
do was take the TASP and either get a grade of credit or no
credit.
“Then I found out I had to take the PTT again plus pass
the TASP. I almost wasn’t able to enroll for the spring
semester because I haven’t taken the TASP yet,” he said.
Dr. Joe Rode, NW counseling director, said students
must take and pass all parts of the TASP and pre-TASP to
bypass state mandated remediation.
“Students must continue remediation until all parts of
both tests are passed,” he said. “For students who plan to
transfer to a four-year university and are taking remedial
algebra, the supplemental algebra portion of the pre-TASP
must be taken with a minimum of 5 out of 10 correct to show
that they are ready to enroll in a college-level algebra class.”
Edna Greenwood, NW math department coordinator,
said the 1403 A and B algebra courses are covered by the
TASP test. “Level C is a prerequisite for college-level algebra,
but all remedial algebra students must take the PTT again to
show they have been remediated and are ready for a 1600
level algebra class,” she said.
Holly Ulman, 18, NW Campus student, said out of 300
points on the TASP she scored 294 but failed the PTT and
was placed in 1403 B algebra.
“I passed 1403 B and enrolled in 1403 C and failed it. I
think it had a lot to do with the teacher because my first
algebra teacher explained the class and why we were there.
In C, we did homework, but we did not get it back until after the
test,” she said.
Ulman said students like her need a good explanation of
remedial classes.
“Everyone has a different explanation of the classes and
how to get out of them. It needs to be more organized.
Teachers and counselors should have a meeting to decide
which explanation to give. It makes no sense why we had to
take the PTT again after we passed the TASP,” she said.
Nikki Frederick, 18, NW Campus student, thought if she
took the TASP she would get out of her remedial algebra
class.
“I thought the PTT was given to see where you were in
that subject, and if you passed the TASP you could get out of
remediation with no problem. I felt cheated when I found out
I had to take the PTT again,” she said.
Frederick felt the TASP was easier than the PTT.
“The administrators and counselors should have found
out what the TASP was like before administering the PTT,”
she said.
Rode said students cannot begin university parallel
courses without passing all three portions of both exams.
“Also no associate degrees can be attained from TCJC
without passing all three portions of both exams,” he said.
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pre-TASP
I
TASP,
take time, patience
perserverance
understanding, etc., etc.;
$24
$15
$20
i"
"10
Upcoming TASP test dates:
1990:
April 28
June 30
Sept. 22
Nov. 17
1991:
Feb. 16
April 20
June 15
Sept. 21
Nov. 16
1992:
Feb. 22
April 25
June 20
TASP FEES:
Regular registration
Additional Fees:
Change of test date or test center
Late registration
Score verification
Official TASP study guide
Returned check charge
Postmark deadline for regular regi “vatic "for
the April 28 TASP test is March 30. Late
registration deadline for the test is April 18, and
must be conducted by phone. Tests are
administered at the Tarrant County Convention
Center.
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Collegian (Hurst, Tex.), Vol. 2, No. 15, Ed. 1 Wednesday, February 28, 1990, newspaper, February 28, 1990; Hurst, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1183811/m1/8/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Tarrant County College NE, Heritage Room.