The NPTE Quarterly Faculty Newsletter is published by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) to provide current information and updates on the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) for faculty in physical therapist and physical therapist assistant programs. Please contact communications@fsbpt.org for subscription information, feedback and comments.
Every five years, FSBPT undertakes an analysis of practice to ensure the currency and validity of the PT and PTA NPTEs. The practice analysis provides a way to verify that the content for each exam is up-to-date and that the proportion of questions measuring various knowledge and skill areas is commensurate with the current importance of these areas to physical therapy practice. FSBPT has begun another practice analysis to update the NPTE.
One step in the practice analysis involves collecting data on the tasks and knowledge areas currently needed for safe and competent entry-level practice. This month, approximately 20,000 PTs and PTAs will be asked to participate in a survey of tasks performed and knowledge required on the job. Entry-level licensees—individuals licensed within the last five years—will be asked to indicate how frequently they perform each task/activity and to rate the importance of successful performance of each task for providing safe patient care. Experienced licensees—individuals licensed for more than five years—will be asked to indicate the importance of various knowledge areas to successful performance as an entry-level practitioner.
Participation in the survey is critical for the success of the project.
For more information, please go to www.fsbpt.org. As a thank you for the input from PTs and PTAs participating in the study, FSBPT will be holding a drawing for ten iPODS within six weeks of the close of the survey.
Faculty Advisory Task Force Recommendations approved by Board of Directors
As mentioned in last quarter’s newsletter, a group of three physical therapy and three physical therapist assistant program administrators met in February to review the faculty survey that the FSBPT conducted last summer. The task force made recommendations for improvements in communications and systems related to the FSBPT and school programs. Specifically, the group looked at six areas:
Content of school pass rate reports
Access to school pass rate reports, including the subscription process as well as pricing
The process for candidates to authorize release of scores to the school (FSBPT hopes to revise the process and eliminate the current bubble sheets.)
The FSBPT Faculty Website
The FSBPT Faculty Newsletter
General communications
The FSBPT Board of Directors approved, in concept, moving forward with most of the recommendations from the task force meeting including a restructuring of the school report price structure. Implementation of the recommendations has already started and will continue into 2007.
FSBPT Continues to meet with Faculty at the State Level
Last fall, FSBPT representatives met with program directors from PT and PTA programs in North Carolina. The meeting included four hours of interaction between the Federation and the attendees. The forum provided an opportunity for faculty to ask questions, express concerns and in general gain a better understanding of the NPTE and the programs related to the NPTE. In April, the Federation met with program directors from school programs in Ohio. Both visits were well-attended and both groups seemed to appreciate the opportunity to discuss issues. If you and your fellow programs within your state or region are interested in having such a meeting with Federation representatives, please contact Mark Lane. These visits will be provided on a first come, first serve basis.
2006 NPTE Workshops for Faculty
FSBPT continues to provide workshops for faculty on how the NPTE is developed. These workshops are intended to not only provide an understanding of the NPTE but also provide some practical applications that faculty can use with their students and programs. The workshop is designed for both PT and PTA faculty.
On the first day, participants receive expert psychometric training on writing multiple-choice questions that more accurately test their students’ understanding of course material. Writing good multiple-choice questions is not an easy task and day one focuses on practice and feedback. Because the NPTE comprises multiple-choice questions, it may be helpful for students to be exposed to this type of testing at appropriate points throughout their education.
The second day of the workshop includes more detailed information on how the NPTE is developed; starting with creating the content outline to constructing the exam, establishing the passing score and finally, to administering the test forms. This understanding may give you some ideas on how to use the content outline to prepare your students for the exam. Another session covers reading, interpreting and using school pass rate reports. This program shows how the content area report may be useful in doing a program evaluation.
FSBPT has received a very positive response to these workshops. Because of this, we are offering several during the year at various regions throughout the country. If you missed the workshop in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, two more are scheduled in 2006. Registration information is available online at www.fsbpt.org.
September 8-10, 2006 in Portland, OR
November 3-4, 2006 in Scottsdale, AZ
What Students Need to Know
During the summer months, many students go through the process of obtaining their first license. It is important for students to carefully monitor their progress through the licensure and exam registration process as well as plan ahead so they can sit for the examination when they would like.
Here are a couple of tips you can pass on to your students:
Visit your state licensing authority’s website. If you are not sure how to locate the state’s website, go to www.fsbpt.org and click on “Licensing Authorities” on the left side menu. These websites have vital information on how to complete the licensure process and what documents must be supplied by a student.
Visit the FSBPT website, www.fsbpt.org. It is chalk full of information that is important for students.
Check your status online. Once you have registered and paid for your examination online through the FSBPT website or by submitting the appropriate paperwork to your state, you are able to check the status of your registration online. Checking your status online will keep you up to speed on the next step in the registration process including indicating when you can schedule your appointment with Prometric. To check your status online go to www.fsbpt.org.
This Quarter’s Questions
A question from a student: As an exam candidate who just completed my examination, I recall several questions on the exam where I was not sure of the answer. Is it ok for me to discuss the questions with my instructor?
On the surface, it may seem natural for you to go to a faculty member to discuss specific questions on your licensing examination. You may want to be assured that you answered the item correctly. You may also be motivated to “learn from mistakes” and a discussion of the question could be a productive learning experience. This is particularly true if you find you have failed the exam. You certainly want to pass the next time! However, by doing this you are putting yourself and your instructor in jeopardy.
Every item on the exam is copyright protected. When a candidate takes the exam, the candidate agrees not to share any question or part of a question with anyone else. Good intentions do not nullify this agreement or the copyright protection of the exam. The bottom line is that it is illegal for a candidate to share a test question with an instructor or anyone else.
You might say: “Ok, so it is technically illegal, but what is the harm if I discuss the item with my instructor? I can trust her. She would not share the information. So, no harm no foul.” Basically, it is not for you to decide when you can break the law or when you can’t. The law is the law.
A parallel question from an instructor: Can I talk to my students about the NPTE after they have taken it?
Certainly general comments about the exam are not a violation of copyright law. However, if your students discuss specific items or specific characteristics of the exam with you, they are in violation of the confidentiality terms that they agree to when they take the exam. Included in these terms is not disclosing the content of examination items. Legal action could be taken against candidates who violate these terms including criminal prosecution. Ultimately the student may risk being able to ever obtain a license.
Educators may unwittingly cross the line by asking students questions about the exam or by listening to a student share a question from the exam. It is important that educators defend the integrity of the licensure process by making students and colleagues aware of these critical issues and reporting violations when they occur.
Educators can find accurate information regarding the exam on the FSBPT public website and the Schools Website (currently only available to administrators). The test content outline is on the web as well as the entire candidate handbook. More detailed information on the NPTE can be obtained by attending a NPTE Workshop for Faculty. You can also report any violations to security@fsbpt.org.
