Online Version Modern Language Aptitude Test
Academic Year:
2014 - 2015 (June 1, 2014 through May 31, 2015)
Funding Requested:
$6,000.00
Project Dates:
-
Overview of the Project:
The University of Michigan offers the MLAT (Modern Language Aptitude Test) to
students who are requesting language waivers for the LSA college language
requirement. The test is a four section test including a current tape recording
listening component. This test, along with other information such as student grades
in their language classes, the instructor’s comments, and other criteria are used
by the Academic Standards Board’s Language Waiver Subcommittee to
determine whether or not to grant a waiver from the LSA language requirement to students who petition. So far this Scantron test is only given in paper format twice a semester.
In the last two years we have seen an increase in the number of students who are applying for a waiver from the requirement at a rather late point in their academic career. We have also seen a growing number of students who are experiencing learning disabilities petitioning for the waiver. An online version of the test means that it can be taken at any point during the semester, thus benefitting the undergraduate cohort and advisers alike, to guide the students through their studies. We also hope that the online access to data will allow us in the future to
compare these student profiles and backgrounds to the scores of other students.
Hopefully, we will then be able to use this data to address some of the needs of
students with learning disabilities and other students in the foreign language classroom.
students who are requesting language waivers for the LSA college language
requirement. The test is a four section test including a current tape recording
listening component. This test, along with other information such as student grades
in their language classes, the instructor’s comments, and other criteria are used
by the Academic Standards Board’s Language Waiver Subcommittee to
determine whether or not to grant a waiver from the LSA language requirement to students who petition. So far this Scantron test is only given in paper format twice a semester.
In the last two years we have seen an increase in the number of students who are applying for a waiver from the requirement at a rather late point in their academic career. We have also seen a growing number of students who are experiencing learning disabilities petitioning for the waiver. An online version of the test means that it can be taken at any point during the semester, thus benefitting the undergraduate cohort and advisers alike, to guide the students through their studies. We also hope that the online access to data will allow us in the future to
compare these student profiles and backgrounds to the scores of other students.
Hopefully, we will then be able to use this data to address some of the needs of
students with learning disabilities and other students in the foreign language classroom.
