Article

Measuring Educational Program Effectiveness Using the Associate Constructor Exam

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Abstract

External sources of validation for undergraduate construction management educational programs may include accreditation by the American Council for Construction Education and testing of students through the American Institute of Constructors, Associate Constructor exam program. This paper includes an analysis of educational program effectiveness by measuring student performance on the Associate Constructor exam by students in an American Council for Construction Education accredited construction management program at a regional comprehensive university. Exam scores were observed for a three-year period and analyzed to identify variables that might significantly affect student performance on the Associate Constructor exam. Students’ combined math and verbal Scholastic Aptitude Test scores of 1002 out of 1600 were found to be a statistically correlated to their Associate Constructor average exam scores of 185 out of 300. The analysis indicated that an alternate means to measure program effectiveness should be investigated or that faculty should develop an applicable curriculum that prepares students for the Associate Constructor exam. Similar results may be found with students’ performance in other technology or engineering technology programs accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.

Keywords: accreditation, assessment, certification, construction, curriculum, higher education

How to Cite:

Ford, G., Kinard, D. & Sims, B. L., (2012) “Measuring Educational Program Effectiveness Using the Associate Constructor Exam”, The Journal of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering 28(1).