Trustees discuss validity of TASP testing
by Chris Taylor, editor-in-chief

    A hot topic in the news also became an issue at the Board of Trustees meeting Thursday, Jan. 18.

    Board member Gary McClaskey distributed information to the rest of the board that concerned joining Dallas Community College in its stance to do away with the Texas Academic Skills Program (TASP) test.

    McClaskey stated that he does not agree with the TASP test. He mentioned recent efforts by state Rep. George West to propose a constitutional amendment requiring all candidates for the Texas House and Senate to pass the TASP test. The proposed bill is in response to complaints about overtesting.

    The main complaint about the TASP is that it is not an accurate measure of a student’s skills, thereby forcing good students to take remedial college courses.

    McClaskey also warned the board that joining with Dallas Community Colleges in its anti-TASP stance could cost TCC valuable funding. He wanted the board “to think very carefully before we make a decision.”

    Also Robert Fernandez from the State Higher Education Coordinating Board spoke about the need for an aggressive plan to encourage more students to attend colleges in accordance with the changing demographics of the state.

    The board approved the architect, civil engineering, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering for the NW Campus fire training facility.

    The trustees also approved using a competitive sealed proposal method of contracting construction for the new warehouse/physical plant office building on NE Campus. The method allows for pre-certification of all contractors.

    Ten faculty members, three from NE, three from NW, two from South and two from SE were approved for tenure beginning in fall 2001.

    The Board of Trustees will meet again Thursday, Feb. 22, at the May Owens Center.