Department of Sociology, Social Work, & Anthropology
SOCIAL WORK PROGRAM OUTCOMES DATA
Advanced Placement Test (APT) and Generalist Practice Test (GPT)
The Social Work Program Advanced Placement Test (APT) and Generalist Practice Test (GPT) results are both used as part of the evaluative process to determine student readiness to move forward in the Social Work program. The APT is one of the indicators to decide if students are ready to move into the junior year Advanced Standing practice classes. It tests student knowledge on the content in the three introductory classes (SW 1010, 2100, 2400). The GPT is used to help evaluate if junior social work majors are ready to move into their senior year practicum placement. It tests student knowledge about the content in the four practice classes students typically take in their junior year (SW 3050, 4100, 4150, 4160). Students need to score 70% or better on either exam to advance in the major. The exam results are also analyzed by topical area (e.g. material pertaining to the Intro class) to evaluate teaching effectiveness of those content areas (see Table 1 below). Faculty discuss the exam results at the first Social Work faculty meeting of each academic year.
Table 1. Social Work Placement Exam Results, 2007-09 |
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APT mean scores by Topical Area |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
1010 (Intro) |
76.2% |
73.5% |
67.9% |
2100 (HBSE) |
77.9% |
82.5% |
74.6% |
2400 (SW with Diverse Populations) |
82.2% |
95.8% |
94.5% |
GPT mean scores by Topical Area |
|
|
|
3050 (Practice I) |
81.6% |
87% |
89.1% |
4100 (Research Methods) |
85.8% |
88.5% |
86.1% |
4150 (Practice II) |
74.5% |
81.5% |
86.8% |
4160 (Practice III) |
61.5% |
78.2% |
76.3% |
Evaluation of Social Work program objectives using the APT/GPT results. The APT and GPT exam results are also used to evaluate teaching effectiveness of course content related to Social Work program objectives.
Table 2. Social Work Program Objectives & APT/GPT Outcomes |
2007 Means |
2008 Means |
2009 Means |
1. Apply critical thinking skills within context of professional social work practice. |
APT = 86.5% GPT = 79.6% |
APT = 90.2% GPT = 85.5% |
APT = 83.2% GPT = 84.2% |
2. Understand the value base of the profession and its ethical standards and principles, and behave accordingly |
APT = 80.1% GPT = 83.5% |
APT = 86.7% GPT = 89.4% |
APT = 82.6% GPT = 89.1% |
3. Promote student understanding, affirmation, and respect for people from diverse backgrounds: age, class, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, family structure, gender, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation. |
APT = 92.2% GPT = 84.3% |
APT = 91.6% GPT = 86.7% |
APT = 90.6% GPT = 89.1% |
4. Understand the forms and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination and strategies of advocacy and social change that advance social & economic justice. |
APT = 89.3% GPT = 74.6% |
APT = 89.3% GPT = 79% |
APT = 80.9% GPT = 78.2% |
5. Understand and interpret the history of the social work profession and its contemporary structures and issues. |
APT = 76.2% GPT = 70% |
APT = 73.5% GPT = 91.2% |
APT = 67.9% GPT = 89.9% |
6. Apply the knowledge and skills of generalist social work practice with systems of all sizes |
APT = 89.6% GPT = 74.5% |
APT = 89.5% GPT = 86.2% |
APT = 84% GPT = 87.2% |
7. Use theoretical frameworks supported by empirical evidence to understand individual development and behavior across the lifespan and the interactions among individuals and between individuals and families, groups, organizations, and communities. |
APT = 81.1% GPT = 79.4% |
APT = 84.6% GPT = 85.7% |
APT = 81.8% GPT = 86.4% |
8. Analyze, formulate, & understand mechanisms of influence when responding to social policies. |
APT = 75.8% GPT = 69.6% |
APT = 79.6% GPT = 87.7% |
APT = 95.9% GPT = 90.5% |
9. Evaluate research studies and understand their applicability to generalist social work practice. |
APT = 88.5% GPT = 86.7% |
APT = 91% GPT = 88.1% |
APT = 97.3% GPT = 88.1% |
10. Use communication skills differentially across client populations, colleagues, and communities. |
APT = 89% GPT = 79.6% |
APT = 91.4% GPT = 83.7% |
APT = 92.8% GPT = 91.6% |
11. Use supervision and consultation appropriate to social work practice |
APT = 89.8% GPT = 76.2% |
APT = 95.5% GPT = 92.5% |
APT = 94.3% GPT = 95.6% |
12. Function within the structure of organizations and service delivery systems. |
APT = 87.5% GPT = 75.6% |
APT = 86.7% GPT = 75.9% |
APT = 84.9% GPT = 72.8% |
Again, exam results that evaluate effectiveness related to teaching of program objectives are discussed by all Social Work program faculty at the first faculty meeting of each academic year.