Health Science Students End the Year with Significant Progress

 

Thousands of schools and students across the nation participated in the national health science assessment program. At the close of this testing year, 13,370 National Healthcare Foundation Skills Assessment post-tests were administered nationwide. In 2009-10, twenty-one participating states including Alabama, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, and Virginia had students complete the assessment.
 
The 2009-10 national results are encouraging with a national pass rate of 58%; representing 17% improvement over the 2008-09 pass rate. Results yielded an increase in the mean score of 70%; the 2008-09 mean score was 65.6%. Students received a “coaching report” immediately upon completion of the test, which shows their score on the 100-situation, scenario-based multiple choice online assessment. The report outlines the student’s performance in each of the foundation skill areas.
 
National summary and the national and state statistics are posted at www.healthsciencetst.com.   State statistics by school and instructor are shared with state level health science consultants at no cost to states who are members of the National Consortium of Health Science Education (NCHSE). State education agencies also receive a file with the raw data to include students assessment scores for reporting purposes. Each August, programs are mailed a comprehensive summary of how students performed on the assessment and in each standard area. Statistics are provided based on gender and ethnicity. Each program receives statewide and national statistical summaries. These reports are included in the cost of testing.
 
As part of NCHSE's mission of preparing American students to become the future healthcare workforce, the assessment focuses on mastery of a body of knowledge and foundational skills needed by all healthcare professionals.  The assessment data can be used in shaping health science education programs to include:

The NCHSE leadership team relies on these assessment results to strengthen the quality of health science education programs. A continued extensive validation process and test item review occurs annually. The assessment results are intended to guide NCHSE’s resources and professional development direction and activities.  Students' performance will help NCHSE determine where and when curriculum resources and professional development adjustments need to be made.

Skills Assessment Summary

Skills Assessment Statistics