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Academy reports assessment results: 88% practical-nursing pass rate; state NOCTE cut scores and subjectivity debated
Summary
District staff presented program outcomes including a reported 88% pass rate for the 2024—25 practical nursing cohort, a graduation head count of 101 students and discussion of NOCTE and NIMS assessment cut scores and subjectivity in performance evaluations.
District staff reported program assessment data and discussed how state cut scores and evaluator subjectivity affect career-technical test results.
A practical-nursing coordinator provided a monthly report showing a 2024—25 pass rate of 88 percent for the practical nursing program and said entrance testing and application activity suggested a full September class. The coordinator—s report also noted National Nurses Week activities and that students receive individual results for state exams.
Mr. Cross presented a graduation report showing 101 total graduates: 79 students from Mifflin County and 22 from Juniata County. He said the district had a signing day with 36 students and that graduation-related practices were scheduled in the weeks before commencement.
Administrators and trustees discussed NOCTE (career-technical) exams and the way the state computes cut scores. Miss Hicks explained the written and performance portions of the NOCTE exam and how the state defines "confident," "advanced" and "basic" ranges for each program. She noted that some programs, such as construction trades, faced delays in cut-score setting because the state sought more field input, and that certain industry-set cut scores (for example, electromechanical) can be significantly higher than other programs.
Board members asked whether performance evaluations are subjective. Staff acknowledged that the performance portion has subjective elements because evaluators observe and score student performance, but they said procedures attempt to standardize scoring (for example, keeping evaluators at fixed stations during performance tasks). Staff said state- and industry-level conversations are ongoing about aligning assessments better with hands-on skills and reducing subjectivity.
No policy changes were adopted in the meeting. Staff said assessment data are used in program SPMs and to guide instructional adjustments for the following year.
