UK Presents on Test-Optional Data at SAIR Conference

UK Information Technology Services’ Institutional Research, Analytics and Decision Support (IRADS) team presented at the Southern Association for Institutional Research (SAIR) conference on October 11. Three IRADS members, Chris Thuringer, Adam Lindstrom, and SuZanne Troske, presented “Developing Test Optional Rules for University Decision Points” at the conference held in the Galt House in Louisville.  

The presentation detailed the University’s data research project to determine alternative rules for key decision points (e.g., admissions, course placement, scholarships, etc.) when standardized test scores may no longer available for a student in a test optional environment. The IRADS team walked through their process of using decision analysis to determine the best high school transcript indicators for students starting with the Fall 2021 admissions cycle. 

Interim Director of Institutional Research, Chris Thuringer, shared the importance of the presentation. "This analysis is timely and extremely relevant to higher education as most institutions have now adopted some form of test optional policies due to COVID and other factors impacting standardized testing. It was great to be able to share our approach and results with colleagues from across the region who are dealing with many of the same questions and look to UK as a leader in data analysis.” 

SAIR comprises members from 15 states in the southern US and is dedicated to advancing research for post-secondary education planning and operations. The 2021 conference in Louisville was the 48th meeting of SAIR with the theme “Turning the Corner & Racing Ahead”.