Hi all:
According to all the information I can gather, apprenticeship training is accepted for licensure purposes in all licensed states except one. In states allowing the dual route, opticians may choose to enter the field through a formal two-year AAS program or the 3-4 year apprentice route. In other words, our profession accepts the two entry methods as equivalent. The Massachusetts practical is designed and validated with this standard in mind.
Since there are no uniformly enforced training standards for apprenticeship programs, the practical I developed was tested on second year opticianry students. When presented to this group, the test initially appeared too elementary and simplistic since the pass rate among this sample was close to 100% in the allotted period. My reasoning for not making the test more involved and more difficult was that a graduate from a two-year program should be expected to successfully complete the practical.
This now brings us to the pass rate of candidates taking the examination in Massachusetts. On November 2, 2002, the practical was administered in the state. For this exam the overall pass rate was 56%. Since the Massachusetts Board does not differentiate between apprentice and student applicants, I did a bit of independent research and discovered that the graduates of the Holyoke Opticianry Program had a 100% pass rate. Additionally, the college has provided review courses for several apprentices. The pass rate for this group is 82%. When combined, the overall pass rate for the two groups is 86%. Since the Holyoke pass rate is 100%, it appears the Massachusetts practical is testing at the level for which it was designed.
I suppose the purpose behind this post is to solicit ideas and suggestions from the ophthalmic professionals on this board and to ponder this question. If graduates from two-year opticianry programs encounter few problems with the examination, should the test be simplified to accommodate the apprentice trained candidate?
Thanks.......Roy
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