Chemistry placement test hopes to ensure student success
Saturday, July 10, 2010 at 11:30AM By Amanda Phipps
Winthrop has taken a step to further ensure students succeed in basic chemistry.
Starting in the fall, students who want to take chemistry 105 must pass chemistry 104 with a C or better or take a placement test, said Pat Owens, chemistry, physics and geology department chair. Students who place into 104 will take that class before continuing into 105.
This decision was necessary because of student success rates in chemistry 105, Owens said.
“Many students do very well,” he said. “But a significant number of other students aren’t doing well at all.”
The rate of success for students depends on the quality of their math and science background, he said. The general chemistry class requires students to be able to solve word and math problems.
The problem with some students not doing well in general chemistry has existed for decades in many schools, not just Winthrop.
“It’s a national problem,” Owens said. “A large group of students aren’t ready.”
Winthrop will use the California Chemistry Diagnostic Test (CCDT), which is a national test used in many schools, Owens said. The department at Winthrop got the test approved after working on it for two years.
The test is a predictor of student success in general chemistry. It provides data on students’ backgrounds in chemistry and lets schools know the national mediums, Owens said.
The national results from the placement test show that it brings improvement. The chemistry 104 class may be better for students to start with unless they have the math and science background needed for 105, Owens said.
He said students who wish to transfer from York Tech can take chemistry 110 and 111. These classes transfer as the 105, 106 and 108 sequence at Winthrop.
The placement test ensures students are placed into the general chemistry class only if they have the background to succeed, Owens said.
Though students may not all agree, one student says the change makes sense.
“I think the placement test is a good thing for future students taking chemistry,” said freshmen chemistry major Sarah White. “General chemistry one is an extremely intense course and making students place into the class should lower the drop rate.”
White also said the test should give students a better idea of what they were getting into before they signed up for the class.
Owens said the department has the placement test to help students succeed in general chemistry.
““We want students to be successful,” he said, “and to have learning experiences that match their background.”
Need to take the test?
● What: Chemistry Placement Test
● Where: Sims 105
● When: April 6, 2010
● Time: 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
● Contact: Lee Miller
● 803-323-4922
