Cool Opportunity

[HugoTafurst]

Originally Posted by argodad

Hugo,
I hope I can help that situation this year. We were each given part of the question data base with instructions to mark them with a #1 (good question), #2 (needs re-writing), or #3 (throw it out). In my section, I'm proposing about 1/3 of the questions be re-written -- and I've provided "cleaner and clearer" language.
I'll post again after the meeting Tuesday with my observations.

Great!

[argodad]

Five of us met at FHSAA headquarters on Tuesday. In 6.5 hours we reviewed the 2011 test question bank for Florida's HS umpires. We did our best to make sure the writing was clear and correct, corrected typos, updated rule references, and shared a couple of war stories. (You can't have 75+ years of softball experience locked in a room without spinning a few yarns.)

We also got to submit a total for 40 new multiple choice questions. Admittedly, some of those will challenge umpires.

So, including the 100 questions in the 2011 NFHS Part 1 (which we did not touch), there are >500 questions in Florida's question bank. When officials log in to take their exam, the computer will randomly select 50 questions for them. No two umpires get the same exam.

It is still possible to take a hard-copy written exam, but it costs extra, and most of would have to travel a long way to take it.

That's the way Florida tests, for better or worse.

[HugoTafurst]

Originally Posted by argodad

Five of us met at FHSAA headquarters on Tuesday. In 6.5 hours we reviewed the 2011 test question bank for Florida's HS umpires. We did our best to make sure the writing was clear and correct, corrected typos, updated rule references, and shared a couple of war stories. (You can't have 75+ years of softball experience locked in a room without spinning a few yarns.)

We also got to submit a total for 40 new multiple choice questions. Admittedly, some of those will challenge umpires.

So, including the 100 questions in the 2011 NFHS Part 1 (which we did not touch), there are >500 questions in Florida's question bank. When officials log in to take their exam, the computer will randomly select 50 questions for them. No two umpires get the same exam.

It is still possible to take a hard-copy written exam, but it costs extra, and most of would have to travel a long way to take it.

That's the way Florida tests, for better or worse.

So now I will know who to blame!!

[scottk_61]

just curious, who else in working on the test with you?

[argodad]

Originally Posted by scottk_61

just curious, who else in working on the test with you?

There were five of us total, from different associations covering most of FL. I prefer not to post names. All of us met the pre-requisites (>10 years experience, >95 average on last three exams, FHSAA Rank 1).

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by argodad

There were five of us total, from different associations covering most of FL. I prefer not to post names. All of us met the pre-requisites (>10 years experience, >95 average on last three exams, FHSAA Rank 1).

WAIT A MINUTE!!! If you five understood the previous tests well enough to score a 95, are you sure you are the right people to "redo" the tests?

[argodad]

Originally Posted by scottk_61

just curious, who else in working on the test with you?

Scott, See your PM. I finally answered.

[HugoTafurst]

I haven't taken it yet, but I'm hearing from several people in my association that grades are averaging lower than previous years.
I haven't verified it yet, just repeating gossip.