National Registry Fact or Fiction

[Guest guest]

And with all respect to Ms. Perkins, she should've known better. Oh wait -- she

never worked in EMS. She's a NURSE.

And the last time I checked the law books, nurses have no (ZERO, ZIP, ZILCH,

NADA, BUPKIS) authority to give orders to EMS folks.

This in itself makes a bit of an argument for an EMS Commission. Know who's the

executive director of the licensing entity for doctors? A doctor. And the

board is a mix of doctors and members of the public. Same for the State Bar and

the dental licensing board, too.

Texas EMS deserves better than to be regulated by a bunch of nurses,

bureaucrats, and public health types who cede their authority to the alleged

pros at the NREMT. Perhospital care is just too important not to at least have

some prehospital providers involved in the policy-making and regulation of EMS.

Brother Wes

Re: National Registry Fact or Fiction

Ask Kathy Perkins who is now as we speak way up the ladder at DSHS. No real

effort by the state has ever been made to administer a Texas test in the last

5-7 years. I think that prior Perkins folks at TDH or DSHS felt that the test

was important.

Sorry Kathy, you know I say what is on my mind.

Maybe you would like to answer Wes's question.

We got sold down the river on this one with the excuse that we just couldn't get

it done right so lets give it away.

Henry

National Registry Fact or Fiction

>>> >

>>> >

>>> >

>>> > Let me tell you a little story:

>>> >

>>> > I have an employee who bless her heart is on her last attempt to

>>> pass

>>> > her Paramedic National Registry exam. It has now been 3 weeks since

>>> > she

>>> > took the exam and she has been checking the web site daily with the

>>> > only

>>> > thing showing is her test in april prior to her latest in June. Here

>>>

>>> > comes the post master with a letter stating that she has failed her

>>> > first exam. The document has her name and address but the testing

>>> site

>>> >

>>> > has xxx across it and does not match the test site she tested at.

>>> > After

>>> > talking with several employees at National Registry she finally gets

>>> a

>>> >

>>> > supervisor on the phone who promptly tells her that the paperwork

>>> she

>>> > received was not hers and that her test had not been graded yet

>>> > because

>>> > they could not read her social security number. Keep in mind this is

>>>

>>> > her

>>> > sixth and last attempt. Its not like they never heard of her before.

>>>

>>> > They knew wher to send her mail. So anyway instead of say to my

>>> > employee

>>> > Ok we have a problem here lets get it corrected give me your social

>>> > security number and we will get right on grading your test, the

>>> > supervisor informs her that she will now have to send in 20.00 and

>>> > have

>>> > her test hand graded and wait an additional 3 weeks. Of course she

>>> has

>>> >

>>> > only National Registry's word that her social security number could

>>> > not

>>> > be read, because we know they don't make mistakes at National

>>> > Registry.

>>> >

>>> > Have you ever had to contact a large utility company about a mistake

>>>

>>> > they made. If you have then you know it is impossible to get

>>> anything

>>> > accomplished. Same, Same National Registry. I guess the poor person

>>> > who

>>> > didn't pass on the first attempt whose information was sent to my

>>> > employee by mistake will have to send in 20.00 also if they can be

>>> > identified at all.

>>> >

>>> > Henry

>>> >

>>> >

>>> >

>>> >

>>> >

>>> >

>>> >

[Guest guest]

Wes,

The key here is with due respect to Kathy. I think Kathy did some good things

while she held the office. However, I didn't then and do not now agree with

turning the state testing over to NR. I would not want this to turn into a Kathy

bashing. There were also a bunch of EMS Educators that were really hep to go NR.

Maybe they saw the new revenue stream produced by the site fees, skills test,

refresher courses and of course the re-do's of all these again again and again.

I can't remember one provider standing up and saying OH Hell yes this is the way

to go. Git U Done!!!! All by products of EMS felt it was the thing to do. Most

of all the state and those in the TDH\EMS Division allowed it to happen so that

they would not have to cut someone or something else. Guess what the cuts

happened anyway. They could have stood up for what was right for EMS and the

providers of EMS in Texas. I stood up and ended up off the EMS committee. The

squeaky wheel gets a blow out. Anyway I wanted to make sure that before it is

all said and done it doesn't turn into a Kathy bashing. No one since Kathy has

shown any interest in investigating this issue at all. With the exception of one

who at this time must be kept inside my hollow head.

I would really be interested in hear more about New Jersey and what their issues

are. Heh lets start a revolution!

Henry

National Registry Fact or Fiction

>>> >

>>> >

>>> >

>>> > Let me tell you a little story:

>>> >

>>> > I have an employee who bless her heart is on her last attempt to

>>> pass

>>> > her Paramedic National Registry exam. It has now been 3 weeks since

>>> > she

>>> > took the exam and she has been checking the web site daily with the

>>> > only

>>> > thing showing is her test in april prior to her latest in June. Here

>>>

>>> > comes the post master with a letter stating that she has failed her

>>> > first exam. The document has her name and address but the testing

>>> site

>>> >

>>> > has xxx across it and does not match the test site she tested at.

>>> > After

>>> > talking with several employees at National Registry she finally gets

>>> a

>>> >

>>> > supervisor on the phone who promptly tells her that the paperwork

>>> she

>>> > received was not hers and that her test had not been graded yet

>>> > because

>>> > they could not read her social security number. Keep in mind this is

>>>

>>> > her

>>> > sixth and last attempt. Its not like they never heard of her before.

>>>

>>> > They knew wher to send her mail. So anyway instead of say to my

>>> > employee

>>> > Ok we have a problem here lets get it corrected give me your social

>>> > security number and we will get right on grading your test, the

>>> > supervisor informs her that she will now have to send in 20.00 and

>>> > have

>>> > her test hand graded and wait an additional 3 weeks. Of course she

>>> has

>>> >

>>> > only National Registry's word that her social security number could

>>> > not

>>> > be read, because we know they don't make mistakes at National

>>> > Registry.

>>> >

>>> > Have you ever had to contact a large utility company about a mistake

>>>

>>> > they made. If you have then you know it is impossible to get

>>> anything

>>> > accomplished. Same, Same National Registry. I guess the poor person

>>> > who

>>> > didn't pass on the first attempt whose information was sent to my

>>> > employee by mistake will have to send in 20.00 also if they can be

>>> > identified at all.

>>> >

>>> > Henry

>>> >

>>> >

>>> >

>>> >

>>> >

>>> >

>>> >

[Guest guest]

Nope, not meant as Kathy bashing. Rather, my concern is with the DSHS

organizational culture which automatically gives credence to the RN and MPH

degree and discounts much of what comes from anyone else.

RNs and MPHs are fantastic when dealing with hospitals, community health,

disease prevention, etc... But it sure would've been nice to have some

experienced EMS folks to " call BS " on the EMS educators' blind advocacy of NR.

Brother Wes

Re: National Registry Fact or Fiction

Wes,

The key here is with due respect to Kathy. I think Kathy did some good things

while she held the office. However, I didn't then and do not now agree with

turning the state testing over to NR. I would not want this to turn into a Kathy

bashing. There were also a bunch of EMS Educators that were really hep to go NR.

Maybe they saw the new revenue stream produced by the site fees, skills test,

refresher courses and of course the re-do's of all these again again and again.

I can't remember one provider standing up and saying OH Hell yes this is the way

to go. Git U Done!!!! All by products of EMS felt it was the thing to do. Most

of all the state and those in the TDH\EMS Division allowed it to happen so that

they would not have to cut someone or something else. Guess what the cuts

happened anyway. They could have stood up for what was right for EMS and the

providers of EMS in Texas. I stood up and ended up off the EMS committee. The

squeaky wheel gets a blow out. Anyway I wanted to make sure that before it is

all said and done it doesn't turn into a Kathy bashing. No one since Kathy has

shown any interest in investigating this issue at all. With the exception of one

who at this time must be kept inside my hollow head.

I would really be interested in hear more about New Jersey and what their issues

are. Heh lets start a revolution!

Henry

National Registry Fact or Fiction

>>> >

>>> >

>>> >

>>> > Let me tell you a little story:

>>> >

>>> > I have an employee who bless her heart is on her last attempt to

>>> pass

>>> > her Paramedic National Registry exam. It has now been 3 weeks since

>>> > she

>>> > took the exam and she has been checking the web site daily with the

>>> > only

>>> > thing showing is her test in april prior to her latest in June. Here

>>>

>>> > comes the post master with a letter stating that she has failed her

>>> > first exam. The document has her name and address but the testing

>>> site

>>> >

>>> > has xxx across it and does not match the test site she tested at.

>>> > After

>>> > talking with several employees at National Registry she finally gets

>>> a

>>> >

>>> > supervisor on the phone who promptly tells her that the paperwork

>>> she

>>> > received was not hers and that her test had not been graded yet

>>> > because

>>> > they could not read her social security number. Keep in mind this is

>>>

>>> > her

>>> > sixth and last attempt. Its not like they never heard of her before.

>>>

>>> > They knew wher to send her mail. So anyway instead of say to my

>>> > employee

>>> > Ok we have a problem here lets get it corrected give me your social

>>> > security number and we will get right on grading your test, the

>>> > supervisor informs her that she will now have to send in 20.00 and

>>> > have

>>> > her test hand graded and wait an additional 3 weeks. Of course she

>>> has

>>> >

>>> > only National Registry's word that her social security number could

>>> > not

>>> > be read, because we know they don't make mistakes at National

>>> > Registry.

>>> >

>>> > Have you ever had to contact a large utility company about a mistake

>>>

>>> > they made. If you have then you know it is impossible to get

>>> anything

>>> > accomplished. Same, Same National Registry. I guess the poor person

>>> > who

>>> > didn't pass on the first attempt whose information was sent to my

>>> > employee by mistake will have to send in 20.00 also if they can be

>>> > identified at all.

>>> >

>>> > Henry

>>> >

>>> >

>>> >

>>> >

>>> >

>>> >

>>> >

[Guest guest]

But wait a minute Wes...last week we were talking about taking the EMS folks out

of admin and putting them back on the streets (A/TCEMS) and hiring others to

lead and administer the department...

So our arguement of we gotta have an EMS Person to lead Texas EMS somehow

doesn't fly in the face of the arguement that the " Largest mistake most EMS

agencies make is taking the best EMS skilled person and moving them into

management " ???

BTW, NR doesn't do all states....but I believe most states don't test

themselves...it is contracted out to someone...

If you are having issues with NR, contact your DSHS regional rep with all the

details...has been very successful for us.

Dudley

BTW Wes, what authority does anyone who works for DSHS (regulator) have the

authority to EVER give orders to EMS folks? I believe only physicians can do

that so maybe we need a physician as the State EMS Director...oh wait...we have

a multiple year experienced paramedic in that role....

Re: National Registry Fact or Fiction

Ask Kathy Perkins who is now as we speak way up the ladder at DSHS. No real

effort by the state has ever been made to administer a Texas test in the last

5-7 years. I think that prior Perkins folks at TDH or DSHS felt that the test

was important.

Sorry Kathy, you know I say what is on my mind.

Maybe you would like to answer Wes's question.

We got sold down the river on this one with the excuse that we just couldn't get

it done right so lets give it away.

Henry

National Registry Fact or Fiction

>>> >

>>> >

>>> >

>>> > Let me tell you a little story:

>>> >

>>> > I have an employee who bless her heart is on her last attempt to

>>> pass

>>> > her Paramedic National Registry exam. It has now been 3 weeks since

>>> > she

>>> > took the exam and she has been checking the web site daily with the

>>> > only

>>> > thing showing is her test in april prior to her latest in June. Here

>>>

>>> > comes the post master with a letter stating that she has failed her

>>> > first exam. The document has her name and address but the testing

>>> site

>>> >

>>> > has xxx across it and does not match the test site she tested at.

>>> > After

>>> > talking with several employees at National Registry she finally gets

>>> a

>>> >

>>> > supervisor on the phone who promptly tells her that the paperwork

>>> she

>>> > received was not hers and that her test had not been graded yet

>>> > because

>>> > they could not read her social security number. Keep in mind this is

>>>

>>> > her

>>> > sixth and last attempt. Its not like they never heard of her before.

>>>

>>> > They knew wher to send her mail. So anyway instead of say to my

>>> > employee

>>> > Ok we have a problem here lets get it corrected give me your social

>>> > security number and we will get right on grading your test, the

>>> > supervisor informs her that she will now have to send in 20.00 and

>>> > have

>>> > her test hand graded and wait an additional 3 weeks. Of course she

>>> has

>>> >

>>> > only National Registry's word that her social security number could

>>> > not

>>> > be read, because we know they don't make mistakes at National

>>> > Registry.

>>> >

>>> > Have you ever had to contact a large utility company about a mistake

>>>

>>> > they made. If you have then you know it is impossible to get

>>> anything

>>> > accomplished. Same, Same National Registry. I guess the poor person

>>> > who

>>> > didn't pass on the first attempt whose information was sent to my

>>> > employee by mistake will have to send in 20.00 also if they can be

>>> > identified at all.

>>> >

>>> > Henry

>>> >

>>> >

>>> >

>>> >

>>> >

>>> >

>>> >

[Guest guest]

Dudley:

At the very least some familiarity with the EMS environment would be handy. In

the ideal world, EMS would grow its own leadership. Imagine paramedics going on

to get degrees in public adminstration or related fields and making the

transition to leadership and policy positions, possessing both the intellectual

underpinnings and the requisite background knowledge to be conversant in both

EMS and management.

Personally, I've had few problems with NR (other than my initial ID being

mispelled), but there does seem to be an issue involving communication and

responsiveness involving several people.

I didn't mean that anyone in DSHS has authority to give field orders. However,

again, why should EMS be regulated by people without at least a modicum of

knowledge of EMS?

Here are several state agency executive directors:

Texas Medical Board : , MD, JD

Texas Board of Professional Engineers : Dale Beebe-Farrow, P.E.

State Bar of Texas : P. , Jr (attorney)

Board of Nurse Examiners : , RN

Notice they're all at least licensed to practice in the field they regulate.

-Wes

Re: National Registry Fact or Fiction

Ask Kathy Perkins who is now as we speak way up the ladder at DSHS. No real

effort by the state has ever been made to administer a Texas test in the last

5-7 years. I think that prior Perkins folks at TDH or DSHS felt that the test

was important.

Sorry Kathy, you know I say what is on my mind.

Maybe you would like to answer Wes's question.

We got sold down the river on this one with the excuse that we just couldn't get

it done right so lets give it away.

Henry

National Registry Fact or Fiction

>>> >

>>> >

>>> >

>>> > Let me tell you a little story:

>>> >

>>> > I have an employee who bless her heart is on her last attempt to

>>> pass

>>> > her Paramedic National Registry exam. It has now been 3 weeks since

>>> > she

>>> > took the exam and she has been checking the web site daily with the

>>> > only

>>> > thing showing is her test in april prior to her latest in June. Here

>>>

>>> > comes the post master with a letter stating that she has failed her

>>> > first exam. The document has her name and address but the testing

>>> site

>>> >

>>> > has xxx across it and does not match the test site she tested at.

>>> > After

>>> > talking with several employees at National Registry she finally gets

>>> a

>>> >

>>> > supervisor on the phone who promptly tells her that the paperwork

>>> she

>>> > received was not hers and that her test had not been graded yet

>>> > because

>>> > they could not read her social security number. Keep in mind this is

>>>

>>> > her

>>> > sixth and last attempt. Its not like they never heard of her before.

>>>

>>> > They knew wher to send her mail. So anyway instead of say to my

>>> > employee

>>> > Ok we have a problem here lets get it corrected give me your social

>>> > security number and we will get right on grading your test, the

>>> > supervisor informs her that she will now have to send in 20.00 and

>>> > have

>>> > her test hand graded and wait an additional 3 weeks. Of course she

>>> has

>>> >

>>> > only National Registry's word that her social security number could

>>> > not

>>> > be read, because we know they don't make mistakes at National

>>> > Registry.

>>> >

>>> > Have you ever had to contact a large utility company about a mistake

>>>

>>> > they made. If you have then you know it is impossible to get

>>> anything

>>> > accomplished. Same, Same National Registry. I guess the poor person

>>> > who

>>> > didn't pass on the first attempt whose information was sent to my

>>> > employee by mistake will have to send in 20.00 also if they can be

>>> > identified at all.

>>> >

>>> > Henry

>>> >

>>> >

>>> >

>>> >

>>> >

>>> >

>>> >

[Guest guest]

They pretty much ignore the reps too, all I can tell you is when they

screw with one of my students (it goes for DSHS too) I raise hell until

they do the right thing by the student whether or not they will ever

admit it is their fault.

Lee

National Registry Fact or Fiction

> >

> >

> >

> > Let me tell you a little story:

> >

> > I have an employee who bless her heart is on her last attempt to

> pass

> > her Paramedic National Registry exam. It has now been 3 weeks since

> > she

> > took the exam and she has been checking the web site daily with the

> > only

> > thing showing is her test in april prior to her latest in June. Here

>

> > comes the post master with a letter stating that she has failed her

> > first exam. The document has her name and address but the testing

> site

> >

> > has xxx across it and does not match the test site she tested at.

> > After

> > talking with several employees at National Registry she finally gets

> a

> >

> > supervisor on the phone who promptly tells her that the paperwork

> she

> > received was not hers and that her test had not been graded yet

> > because

> > they could not read her social security number. Keep in mind this is

>

> > her

> > sixth and last attempt. Its not like they never heard of her before.

>

> > They knew wher to send her mail. So anyway instead of say to my

> > employee

> > Ok we have a problem here lets get it corrected give me your social

> > security number and we will get right on grading your test, the

> > supervisor informs her that she will now have to send in 20.00 and

> > have

> > her test hand graded and wait an additional 3 weeks. Of course she

> has

> >

> > only National Registry's word that her social security number could

> > not

> > be read, because we know they don't make mistakes at National

> > Registry.

> >

> > Have you ever had to contact a large utility company about a mistake

>

> > they made. If you have then you know it is impossible to get

> anything

> > accomplished. Same, Same National Registry. I guess the poor person

> > who

> > didn't pass on the first attempt whose information was sent to my

> > employee by mistake will have to send in 20.00 also if they can be

> > identified at all.

> >

> > Henry

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

I'll use myself as an example. I'm a basic with a master's in healthcare

organizational development. In a system such as A/TCEMS I'm not qualified to

be on the truck since I'm not a paramedic. (Though I AM system certified as

an EMT-B.) However, I am qualified to work in their administrative functions

to manage the system to support the paramedics on the truck since the

primary function would not be based on my EMS certification but on my

academic and work history qualifications.

The same can be said for an EMS board. It's members would come from the

ranks would come from the world of those who are certified with probably

representation from various stakeholder groups including hospitals, medical

directors and the general public. However, the staffing of the agency would

not necessarily be made up of certified medics unless the certification

played a key part of their job functions. (Example: An investigator probably

would need investigative and EMS experience in order to know what they were

investigating. Admin support staff probably would not need to be EMS

certified in order to know how to do admin support functions. The senior

management would probably need a mix of EMS certification with professional

qualifications (academic and experience) that would allow them to manage an

EMS focused agency. Would they need an EMT-P, probably not. An EMT could

have the functional knowledge of EMS on the basic and advanced levels as

long as they knew to listen to those with more expertise for specific issues

that required a more detailed knowledge. Just as we have lawyers to advise

us on the law and accountants to advise on fiscal management.

Wes wasn't arguing both sides of the argument (though I think he probably

could with much expertise even though he did attend a law school that gets

more wind storms than new books). He was just calling for leadership to come

from the profession being managed not a different field or a stakeholder

field.

Barry

Barry Sharp, MSHP, CHES

Exercise Coordinator

Community Preparedness Section

Texas Department of State Health Services

Phone: x2665

BlackBerry:

Fax:

Barry.Sharp@...

Re: National Registry Fact or Fiction

Ask Kathy Perkins who is now as we speak way up the ladder at DSHS. No real

effort by the state has ever been made to administer a Texas test in the

last 5-7 years. I think that prior Perkins folks at TDH or DSHS felt that

the test was important.

Sorry Kathy, you know I say what is on my mind.

Maybe you would like to answer Wes's question.

We got sold down the river on this one with the excuse that we just couldn't

get it done right so lets give it away.

Henry

National Registry Fact or Fiction

>>> >

>>> >

>>> >

>>> > Let me tell you a little story:

>>> >

>>> > I have an employee who bless her heart is on her last attempt to

>>> pass

>>> > her Paramedic National Registry exam. It has now been 3 weeks since

>>> > she

>>> > took the exam and she has been checking the web site daily with the

>>> > only

>>> > thing showing is her test in april prior to her latest in June. Here

>>>

>>> > comes the post master with a letter stating that she has failed her

>>> > first exam. The document has her name and address but the testing

>>> site

>>> >

>>> > has xxx across it and does not match the test site she tested at.

>>> > After

>>> > talking with several employees at National Registry she finally gets

>>> a

>>> >

>>> > supervisor on the phone who promptly tells her that the paperwork

>>> she

>>> > received was not hers and that her test had not been graded yet

>>> > because

>>> > they could not read her social security number. Keep in mind this is

>>>

>>> > her

>>> > sixth and last attempt. Its not like they never heard of her before.

>>>

>>> > They knew wher to send her mail. So anyway instead of say to my

>>> > employee

>>> > Ok we have a problem here lets get it corrected give me your social

>>> > security number and we will get right on grading your test, the

>>> > supervisor informs her that she will now have to send in 20.00 and

>>> > have

>>> > her test hand graded and wait an additional 3 weeks. Of course she

>>> has

>>> >

>>> > only National Registry's word that her social security number could

>>> > not

>>> > be read, because we know they don't make mistakes at National

>>> > Registry.

>>> >

>>> > Have you ever had to contact a large utility company about a mistake

>>>

>>> > they made. If you have then you know it is impossible to get

>>> anything

>>> > accomplished. Same, Same National Registry. I guess the poor person

>>> > who

>>> > didn't pass on the first attempt whose information was sent to my

>>> > employee by mistake will have to send in 20.00 also if they can be

>>> > identified at all.

>>> >

>>> > Henry

>>> >

>>> >

>>> >

>>> >

>>> >

>>> >

>>> >

[Guest guest]

With due respect to all, I don't think Kathy was the guilty party in getting

NREMT. The guilty party was the Texas Legislature which failed to provide

the fiscal support needed to continue test development.

For years I was on the test writing committees, and we met regularly and

toiled mightily to develop good exam questions. Jeff Jarvis did a yeoman's job

at keeping it all straight, and there were many other good people at TDH

involved as well.

There was always a faction of EMS educators who had the snooty idea that if

we did it " in house " in Texas it COULDN'T BE AS GOOD AS THE YANKEES IN OHIO

could make it. After all, they're " testing professionals. "

Now the college EMS programs are in disarray, and half of them can't produce

people who can pass the NR exams.

GG

>

> Wes,

>

> The key here is with due respect to Kathy. I think Kathy did some good

> things while she held the office. However, I didn't then and do not now agree

with

> turning the state testing over to NR. I would not want this to turn into a

> Kathy bashing. There were also a bunch of EMS Educators that were really hep

> to go NR. Maybe they saw the new revenue stream produced by the site fees,

> skills test, refresher courses and of course the re-do's of all these again

and

> again. I can't remember one provider standing up and saying OH Hell yes this

> is the way to go. Git U Done!!!! All by products of EMS felt it was the thing

> to do. Most of all the state and those in the TDH\EMS Division allowed it to

> happen so that they would not have to cut someone or something else. Guess

> what the cuts happened anyway. They could have stood up for what was right for

> EMS and the providers of EMS in Texas. I stood up and ended up off the EMS

> committee. The squeaky wheel gets a blow out. Anyway I wanted to make sure

> that before it is all said and done it doesn't turn into a Kathy bashing. No

one

> since Kathy has shown any interest in investigating this issue at all. With

> the exception of one who at this time must be kept inside my hollow head.

>

> I would really be interested in hear more about New Jersey and what their

> issues are. Heh lets start a revolution!

>

> Henry

>

> National Registry Fact or Fiction

> >>> >

> >>> >

> >>> >

> >>> > Let me tell you a little story:

> >>> >

> >>> > I have an employee who bless her heart is on her last attempt to

> >>> pass

> >>> > her Paramedic National Registry exam. It has now been 3 weeks since

> >>> > she

> >>> > took the exam and she has been checking the web site daily with the

> >>> > only

> >>> > thing showing is her test in april prior to her latest in June. Here

> >>>

> >>> > comes the post master with a letter stating that she has failed her

> >>> > first exam. The document has her name and address but the testing

> >>> site

> >>> >

> >>> > has xxx across it and does not match the test site she tested at.

> >>> > After

> >>> > talking with several employees at National Registry she finally gets

> >>> a

> >>> >

> >>> > supervisor on the phone who promptly tells her that the paperwork

> >>> she

> >>> > received was not hers and that her test had not been graded yet

> >>> > because

> >>> > they could not read her social security number. Keep in mind this is

> >>>

> >>> > her

> >>> > sixth and last attempt. Its not like they never heard of her before.

> >>>

> >>> > They knew wher to send her mail. So anyway instead of say to my

> >>> > employee

> >>> > Ok we have a problem here lets get it corrected give me your social

> >>> > security number and we will get right on grading your test, the

> >>> > supervisor informs her that she will now have to send in 20.00 and

> >>> > have

> >>> > her test hand graded and wait an additional 3 weeks. Of course she

> >>> has

> >>> >

> >>> > only National Registry's word that her social security number could

> >>> > not

> >>> > be read, because we know they don't make mistakes at National

> >>> > Registry.

> >>> >

> >>> > Have you ever had to contact a large utility company about a mistake

> >>>

> >>> > they made. If you have then you know it is impossible to get

> >>> anything

> >>> > accomplished. Same, Same National Registry. I guess the poor person

> >>> > who

> >>> > didn't pass on the first attempt whose information was sent to my

> >>> > employee by mistake will have to send in 20.00 also if they can be

> >>> > identified at all.

> >>> >

> >>> > Henry

> >>> >

> >>> >

> >>> >

> >>> >

> >>> >

> >>> >

> >>> >

[Guest guest]

Wes, sometime when I have a day to write it down, I'll be glad to share it

with you. Or call and come by the office.

Eddie , EMT-P

Director of Clinical Services

4100 Ed Bluestein Blvd., Suite 100

Austin, TX 78721

ext. 110

_____

From: texasems-l [mailto:texasems-l ] On

Behalf Of ExLngHrn@...

Sent: Thursday, July 27, 2006 11:41 AM

To: texasems-l

Subject: Re: National Registry Fact or Fiction

I wasn't directly involved in EMS at the time, but I'd like to know the

mechanism by which Texas turned over its EMS certification process to the

National Registry.

-Wes

Re: National Registry Fact or Fiction

You're right, Wes. There is little current incentive for improvement given

their " monopoly " status. I am hearing the same complaints posted here all

over the country.

National Registry Fact or Fiction

>>> >

>>> >

>>> >

>>> > Let me tell you a little story:

>>> >

>>> > I have an employee who bless her heart is on her last attempt to

>>> pass

>>> > her Paramedic National Registry exam. It has now been 3 weeks since

>>> > she

>>> > took the exam and she has been checking the web site daily with the

>>> > only

>>> > thing showing is her test in april prior to her latest in June. Here

>>>

>>> > comes the post master with a letter stating that she has failed her

>>> > first exam. The document has her name and address but the testing

>>> site

>>> >

>>> > has xxx across it and does not match the test site she tested at.

>>> > After

>>> > talking with several employees at National Registry she finally gets

>>> a

>>> >

>>> > supervisor on the phone who promptly tells her that the paperwork

>>> she

>>> > received was not hers and that her test had not been graded yet

>>> > because

>>> > they could not read her social security number. Keep in mind this is

>>>

>>> > her

>>> > sixth and last attempt. Its not like they never heard of her before.

>>>

>>> > They knew wher to send her mail. So anyway instead of say to my

>>> > employee

>>> > Ok we have a problem here lets get it corrected give me your social

>>> > security number and we will get right on grading your test, the

>>> > supervisor informs her that she will now have to send in 20.00 and

>>> > have

>>> > her test hand graded and wait an additional 3 weeks. Of course she

>>> has

>>> >

>>> > only National Registry's word that her social security number could

>>> > not

>>> > be read, because we know they don't make mistakes at National

>>> > Registry.

>>> >

>>> > Have you ever had to contact a large utility company about a mistake

>>>

>>> > they made. If you have then you know it is impossible to get

>>> anything

>>> > accomplished. Same, Same National Registry. I guess the poor person

>>> > who

>>> > didn't pass on the first attempt whose information was sent to my

>>> > employee by mistake will have to send in 20.00 also if they can be

>>> > identified at all.

>>> >

>>> > Henry

>>> >

>>> >

>>> >

>>> >

>>> >

>>> >

>>> >

[Guest guest]

On 7/27/06, ExLngHrn@...

wrote:

>

> Actually Lou, the scary part is that most occupational licensing commissions

are supposed to be " revenue neutral " at best for the state. In other words, as

scary as it sounds, our certifications issueds by a Texas EMS Commission could

end up costing us MORE for the same level of service we're currently getting.

Why would this be? My TCLEOSE license costs me *nothing*

year-to-year. My driver's license costs me very little. My CHL costs

more, but that's meant more as an artificial restriction on getting a

CHL.

Mike

[Guest guest]

FYI,

I am reading the messages you all are posting on the list server. I retired

from DFD on Tuesday and will not report to work at DSHS until Tuesday, August

1st, therefore this is not an official response because I have not assumed

my new position, merely an observation.

I always read as many comments on the list server as possible although I may

not comment. I'm reading through 185 emails tonight so I may not have

understood all of your concerns, but it seems the majority of you all are

expressing discontent with the re-application process for retesters on the NR

exam

particuliarly lost applications and the delayed turn around time for your

members to receive their scores.

I'm hoping that a lot of what you all are discussing concerning this matter

will be corrected when they began on line testing. I had a couple problems

in the past with the NR application process for retesting but in both

instances our members failed to complete the paperwork properly.

I will meet with some members from the NR next week and I will voice your

concerns. If some of you will send me your student's name with the details

I'll ask about their situation. My email address for now is _maxifire@..._

(mailto:maxifire@...) .

Maxie

[Guest guest]

And Wes, The State of Texas EMS Director: Maxie Bishop, LP, RN; 20+ years of

experience in the EMS field....or next week anyway...

And he is replacing our last EMS Director with over 30 years of EMS

experience...as both an EMT and a Paramedic....

Dudley

Re: National Registry Fact or Fiction

Ask Kathy Perkins who is now as we speak way up the ladder at DSHS. No real

effort by the state has ever been made to administer a Texas test in the last

5-7 years. I think that prior Perkins folks at TDH or DSHS felt that the test

was important.

Sorry Kathy, you know I say what is on my mind.

Maybe you would like to answer Wes's question.

We got sold down the river on this one with the excuse that we just couldn't get

it done right so lets give it away.

Henry

National Registry Fact or Fiction

>>> >

>>> >

>>> >

>>> > Let me tell you a little story:

>>> >

>>> > I have an employee who bless her heart is on her last attempt to

>>> pass

>>> > her Paramedic National Registry exam. It has now been 3 weeks since

>>> > she

>>> > took the exam and she has been checking the web site daily with the

>>> > only

>>> > thing showing is her test in april prior to her latest in June. Here

>>>

>>> > comes the post master with a letter stating that she has failed her

>>> > first exam. The document has her name and address but the testing

>>> site

>>> >

>>> > has xxx across it and does not match the test site she tested at.

>>> > After

>>> > talking with several employees at National Registry she finally gets

>>> a

>>> >

>>> > supervisor on the phone who promptly tells her that the paperwork

>>> she

>>> > received was not hers and that her test had not been graded yet

>>> > because

>>> > they could not read her social security number. Keep in mind this is

>>>

>>> > her

>>> > sixth and last attempt. Its not like they never heard of her before.

>>>

>>> > They knew wher to send her mail. So anyway instead of say to my

>>> > employee

>>> > Ok we have a problem here lets get it corrected give me your social

>>> > security number and we will get right on grading your test, the

>>> > supervisor informs her that she will now have to send in 20.00 and

>>> > have

>>> > her test hand graded and wait an additional 3 weeks. Of course she

>>> has

>>> >

>>> > only National Registry's word that her social security number could

>>> > not

>>> > be read, because we know they don't make mistakes at National

>>> > Registry.

>>> >

>>> > Have you ever had to contact a large utility company about a mistake

>>>

>>> > they made. If you have then you know it is impossible to get

>>> anything

>>> > accomplished. Same, Same National Registry. I guess the poor person

>>> > who

>>> > didn't pass on the first attempt whose information was sent to my

>>> > employee by mistake will have to send in 20.00 also if they can be

>>> > identified at all.

>>> >

>>> > Henry

>>> >

>>> >

>>> >

>>> >

>>> >

>>> >

>>> >

[Guest guest]

As far as EMS testing goes.... My best recollection is that the state tests were

compromised at least two times.

With NR bein an entity with a standarized test the decision to implement NR

testing was made.

Again that is my best recollection. I believe also that somewhere in the

process was the thought that standardized testing was going to be the wave of

the future, Texas had too many EMS personnel and the ranks had to be thinned,

and we were loosing those individuals who were taking the time to make the state

exams.

THEDUDMAN@... wrote:

And Wes, The State of Texas EMS Director: Maxie Bishop, LP, RN; 20+

years of experience in the EMS field....or next week anyway...

And he is replacing our last EMS Director with over 30 years of EMS

experience...as both an EMT and a Paramedic....

Dudley

Re: National Registry Fact or Fiction

Ask Kathy Perkins who is now as we speak way up the ladder at DSHS. No real

effort by the state has ever been made to administer a Texas test in the last

5-7 years. I think that prior Perkins folks at TDH or DSHS felt that the test

was important.

Sorry Kathy, you know I say what is on my mind.

Maybe you would like to answer Wes's question.

We got sold down the river on this one with the excuse that we just couldn't get

it done right so lets give it away.

Henry

Re: National Registry Fact or Fiction

>

>

> What do expect from an organization led by folks who see the USA as only

> " one of the greatest nations in the world, " rather than THE greatest

> nation

> in the world? (http://www.nremt.org/about/article_00034_IoM_Response.asp)

>

> Seems to me that they are content with not bei

Recent Activity

8

New Members

Visit Your Group

[Guest guest]

Maxie I tried to send you a off the list response but had it returned x2. Do you

have another email address I could try?

Thanks

Henry Barber

Re: National Registry Fact or Fiction

FYI,

I am reading the messages you all are posting on the list server. I retired

from DFD on Tuesday and will not report to work at DSHS until Tuesday, August

1st, therefore this is not an official response because I have not assumed

my new position, merely an observation.

I always read as many comments on the list server as possible although I may

not comment. I'm reading through 185 emails tonight so I may not have

understood all of your concerns, but it seems the majority of you all are

expressing discontent with the re-application process for retesters on the NR

exam

particuliarly lost applications and the delayed turn around time for your

members to receive their scores.

I'm hoping that a lot of what you all are discussing concerning this matter

will be corrected when they began on line testing. I had a couple problems

in the past with the NR application process for retesting but in both

instances our members failed to complete the paperwork properly.

I will meet with some members from the NR next week and I will voice your

concerns. If some of you will send me your student's name with the details

I'll ask about their situation. My email address for now is _maxifire@..._

(mailto:maxifire@...) .

Maxie

[Guest guest]

To all and especially Maxie (sorry, bud, but you're in the hot seat!)

Please read down.

Gene

>

> Maxie,

>

> I glad someone will take our concerns to the NR. The NR needs to

> realize that they are providing a service and we are customers. The NR

> also need to realize they are replaceable. My major concerns are the

> lack of factual research to some of their claims. I have been asking

> these questions to the NR ever since they came in, with absolutely no

> reply.

>

The absence of replies to inquires about the operations of NR are a source of

concern to many. This contributes to it's reputation for arrogance. As

somebody said, dealing with them is like dealing with your electric utility

company.

>

> 1. Show us research on the efficacy of exam failures due to subscale

> failure with an overall passing score. Not that it has stood up in

> lawsuits. Every testing and measure professional (lawsuits. Every te

> talked to(through school districts and higher level education) has

> balked at the fact that such a small sample in a limited instrument

> could be validated. My lit searches show no proof and contrary

> information to exam failure based on subscales.

>

NR is very good at putting up smoke screens and dodging questions. They

proclaim that they have a product, and it is a product, that withstands

scrutiny,

but they then refuse to allow it to be scrutinized. This is not acceptable.

>

> 2. How is cenrtalized skills testing benefiting our students besides

> costing our students more time and money? The NR skill sheets are

> inferior to what we had through TDH all of those years. There is no

> examiner preparation course that use to be mandated through TDH. School

> after school continually violates the NR mandate of no previous student

> familiarity during skills testing and nothing is done about it.

>

I find this to be less of a problem. I was an examiner last weekend, and I

found the skills sheets to be adequate. True, they are not on the level that

we had with TDH, but they are passable. The only thing that I would say is

that there is a lot of leeway given to the examiner to interpret the student's

performance. This can be good and bad. It's very hard to mandate that no

previous student familiarity during skills testing occurs. I had one student

that I recognized, but I didn't remember his name, and I didn't know that I

had taught a couple of nights in his course. I didn't identify him as being

one of my students, and I don't think my recognition of his face made any

difference in my scoring.

>

> 3. The NR does not answer e-mail. Do they not want to put anything in

> writting?

>

The NR is terrible at communication. If you can even figure out how to

email them, you're better than I am. I am in the process of demanding that

they

provide me with email addresses for all of their officers and board members.

That should be made public, and that they haven't done it is a blight upon

them. It makes them seem to be secretive and unwilling to communicate. They

need a PR person badly.

>

> Wish you the best- do we call you el pesidente, el heffe, grand poobaa,

> or just Maxie??

>

> -MH

>

> >>> maxifire@... >>>

> FYI,

> I am reading the messages you all are posting on the list server. I

> retired

> from DFD on Tuesday and will not report to work at DSHS until Tuesday,

> August

> 1st, therefore this is not an official response because I have not

> assumed

> my new position, merely an observation.

>

> I always read as many comments on the list server as possible although

> I may

> not comment. I'm reading through 185 emails tonight so I may not have

> understood all of your concerns, but it seems the majority of you all

> are

> expressing discontent with the re-application process for retesters on

> the NR exam

> particuliarly lost applications and the delayed turn around time for

> your

> members to receive their scores.

>

> I'm hoping that a lot of what you all are discussing concerning this

> matter

> will be corrected when they began on line testing. I had a couple

> problems

> in the past with the NR application process for retesting but in both

> instances our members failed to complete the paperwork properly.

>

> I will meet with some members from the NR next week and I will voice

> your

> concerns. If some of you will send me your student's name with the

> details

> I'll ask about their situation. My email address for now is

> _maxifire (AT) aol (DOT) _ma_

> (mailto:maxifire@...) .

>

>

> Maxie

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Maxie,

I glad someone will take our concerns to the NR. The NR needs to

realize that they are providing a service and we are customers. The NR

also need to relaize they are replacable. My major concerns are the

lack of factual research to some of their claims. I have been asking

these questions to the NR ever since they came in, with absolutely no

reply.

1. Show us research on the efficacy of exam failures due to subscale

failure with an overall passing score. Not that it has stood up in

lawsuits. Every testing and measure professional(a dozen or so)I have

talked to(through school districts and higher level education) has

balked at the fact that such a small sample in a limited instrument

could be validated. My lit searches show no proof and contrary

information to exam failure based on subscales.

2. How is cenrtalized skills testing benefiting our students besides

costing our students more time and money? The NR skill sheets are

inferior to what we had through TDH all of those years. There is no

examiner preparation course that use to be mandated through TDH. School

after school continually violates the NR mandate of no previous student

familiarity during skills testing and nothing is done about it.

3. The NR does not answer e-mail. Do they not want to put anything in

writting?

Wish you the best- do we call you el pesidente, el heffe, grand poobaa,

or just Maxie??

-MH

>>> maxifire@... >>>

FYI,

I am reading the messages you all are posting on the list server. I

retired

from DFD on Tuesday and will not report to work at DSHS until Tuesday,

August

1st, therefore this is not an official response because I have not

assumed

my new position, merely an observation.

I always read as many comments on the list server as possible although

I may

not comment. I'm reading through 185 emails tonight so I may not have

understood all of your concerns, but it seems the majority of you all

are

expressing discontent with the re-application process for retesters on

the NR exam

particuliarly lost applications and the delayed turn around time for

your

members to receive their scores.

I'm hoping that a lot of what you all are discussing concerning this

matter

will be corrected when they began on line testing. I had a couple

problems

in the past with the NR application process for retesting but in both

instances our members failed to complete the paperwork properly.

I will meet with some members from the NR next week and I will voice

your

concerns. If some of you will send me your student's name with the

details

I'll ask about their situation. My email address for now is

_maxifire@..._

(mailto:maxifire@...) .

Maxie

[Guest guest]

I had this same discussion with a NR skills examiner yesterday. Her answer was

that they met with a proctor before the test and was told not to smile and tell

the student how they were doing.

Henry

Re: National Registry Fact or Fiction

Maxie,

I glad someone will take our concerns to the NR. The NR needs to

realize that they are providing a service and we are customers. The NR

also need to relaize they are replacable. My major concerns are the

lack of factual research to some of their claims. I have been asking

these questions to the NR ever since they came in, with absolutely no

reply.

1. Show us research on the efficacy of exam failures due to subscale

failure with an overall passing score. Not that it has stood up in

lawsuits. Every testing and measure professional(a dozen or so)I have

talked to(through school districts and higher level education) has

balked at the fact that such a small sample in a limited instrument

could be validated. My lit searches show no proof and contrary

information to exam failure based on subscales.

2. How is cenrtalized skills testing benefiting our students besides

costing our students more time and money? The NR skill sheets are

inferior to what we had through TDH all of those years. There is no

examiner preparation course that use to be mandated through TDH. School

after school continually violates the NR mandate of no previous student

familiarity during skills testing and nothing is done about it.

3. The NR does not answer e-mail. Do they not want to put anything in

writting?

Wish you the best- do we call you el pesidente, el heffe, grand poobaa,

or just Maxie??

-MH

>>> maxifire@... >>>

FYI,

I am reading the messages you all are posting on the list server. I

retired

from DFD on Tuesday and will not report to work at DSHS until Tuesday,

August

1st, therefore this is not an official response because I have not

assumed

my new position, merely an observation.

I always read as many comments on the list server as possible although

I may

not comment. I'm reading through 185 emails tonight so I may not have

understood all of your concerns, but it seems the majority of you all

are

expressing discontent with the re-application process for retesters on

the NR exam

particuliarly lost applications and the delayed turn around time for

your

members to receive their scores.

I'm hoping that a lot of what you all are discussing concerning this

matter

will be corrected when they began on line testing. I had a couple

problems

in the past with the NR application process for retesting but in both

instances our members failed to complete the paperwork properly.

I will meet with some members from the NR next week and I will voice

your

concerns. If some of you will send me your student's name with the

details

I'll ask about their situation. My email address for now is

_maxifire@..._

(mailto:maxifire@...) .

Maxie

[Guest guest]

That sounds typical of NR--- add as much stress as you can

Henry Barber wrote:

I had this same discussion with a NR skills examiner yesterday. Her

answer was that they met with a proctor before the test and was told not to

smile and tell the student how they were doing.

Henry

Re: National Registry Fact or Fiction

Maxie,

I glad someone will take our concerns to the NR. The NR needs to

realize that they are providing a service and we are customers. The NR

also need to relaize they are replacable. My major concerns are the

lack of factual research to some of their claims. I have been asking

these questions to the NR ever since they came in, with absolutely no

reply.

1. Show us research on the efficacy of exam failures due to subscale

failure with an overall passing score. Not that it has stood up in

lawsuits. Every testing and measure professional(a dozen or so)I have

talked to(through school districts and higher level education) has

balked at the fact that such a small sample in a limited instrument

could be validated. My lit searches show no proof and contrary

information to exam failure based on subscales.

2. How is cenrtalized skills testing benefiting our students besides

costing our students more time and money? The NR skill sheets are

inferior to what we had through TDH all of those years. There is no

examiner preparation course that use to be mandated through TDH. School

after school continually violates the NR mandate of no previous student

familiarity during skills testing and nothing is done about it.

3. The NR does not answer e-mail. Do they not want to put anything in

writting?

Wish you the best- do we call you el pesidente, el heffe, grand poobaa,

or just Maxie??

-MH

>>> maxifire@... >>>

FYI,

I am reading the messages you all are posting on the list server. I

retired

from DFD on Tuesday and will not report to work at DSHS until Tuesday,

August

1st, therefore this is not an official response because I have not

assumed

my new position, merely an observation.

I always read as many comments on the list server as possible although

I may

not comment. I'm reading through 185 emails tonight so I may not have

understood all of your concerns, but it seems the majority of you all

are

expressing discontent with the re-application process for retesters on

the NR exam

particuliarly lost applications and the delayed turn around time for

your

members to receive their scores.

I'm hoping that a lot of what you all are discussing concerning this

matter

will be corrected when they began on line testing. I had a couple

problems

in the past with the NR application process for retesting but in both

instances our members failed to complete the paperwork properly.

I will meet with some members from the NR next week and I will voice

your

concerns. If some of you will send me your student's name with the

details

I'll ask about their situation. My email address for now is

_maxifire@..._

(mailto:maxifire@...) .

Maxie

[Guest guest]

It's not designed to add stress. It's designed to make the examiner a

neutral observer and not to give verbal or body language clues. Some people

carry

it too far. You don't have to glare or seem cold. You just have to be

careful not to give an advantage to a student by tipping them off to how you're

evaluating them.

Gene G.

>

> That sounds typical of NR--- add as much stress as you can

>

>

> Henry Barber wrote:

> I had this same discussion with a NR skills examiner yesterday. Her answer

> was that they met with a proctor before the test and was told not to smile and

> tell the student how they were doing.

>

> Henry

> Re: National Registry Fact or Fiction

>

> Maxie,

>

> I glad someone will take our concerns to the NR. The NR needs to

> realize that they are providing a service and we are customers. The NR

> also need to relaize they are replacable. My major concerns are the

> lack of factual research to some of their claims. I have been asking

> these questions to the NR ever since they came in, with absolutely no

> reply.

>

> 1. Show us research on the efficacy of exam failures due to subscale

> failure with an overall passing score. Not that it has stood up in

> lawsuits. Every testing and measure professional( lawsuits. Every tes

> talked to(through school districts and higher level education) has

> balked at the fact that such a small sample in a limited instrument

> could be validated. My lit searches show no proof and contrary

> information to exam failure based on subscales.

>

> 2. How is cenrtalized skills testing benefiting our students besides

> costing our students more time and money? The NR skill sheets are

> inferior to what we had through TDH all of those years. There is no

> examiner preparation course that use to be mandated through TDH. School

> after school continually violates the NR mandate of no previous student

> familiarity during skills testing and nothing is done about it.

>

> 3. The NR does not answer e-mail. Do they not want to put anything in

> writting?

>

> Wish you the best- do we call you el pesidente, el heffe, grand poobaa,

> or just Maxie??

>

> -MH

>

> >>> maxifire@... >>>

> FYI,

> I am reading the messages you all are posting on the list server. I

> retired

> from DFD on Tuesday and will not report to work at DSHS until Tuesday,

> August

> 1st, therefore this is not an official response because I have not

> assumed

> my new position, merely an observation.

>

> I always read as many comments on the list server as possible although

> I may

> not comment. I'm reading through 185 emails tonight so I may not have

> understood all of your concerns, but it seems the majority of you all

> are

> expressing discontent with the re-application process for retesters on

> the NR exam

> particuliarly lost applications and the delayed turn around time for

> your

> members to receive their scores.

>

> I'm hoping that a lot of what you all are discussing concerning this

> matter

> will be corrected when they began on line testing. I had a couple

> problems

> in the past with the NR application process for retesting but in both

> instances our members failed to complete the paperwork properly.

>

> I will meet with some members from the NR next week and I will voice

> your

> concerns. If some of you will send me your student's name with the

> details

> I'll ask about their situation. My email address for now is

> _maxifire (AT) aol (DOT) _ma_

> (mailto:maxifire@...) .

>

> Maxie

>

>

[Guest guest]

Gene,

I do agree with you 100%. I was commenting with respect to

the human factor. The first ACLS class I attended was in Houston. I was the only

non HFD student. The two examiners that I had for my Megacode gave each other

strange " looks " before the testing started. That made me nervous to the point of

requesting two different examiners----- I got my wish and passed. It was tough,

but I made overrall grade of 90+ if my memory is correct.

It was just my personal opinion.

Wegandy1938@... wrote:

It's not designed to add stress. It's designed to make the examiner a neutral

observer and not to give verbal or body language clues. Some people carry it

too far. You don't have to glare or seem cold. You just have to be careful not

to give an advantage to a student by tipping them off to how you're evaluating

them.

Gene G.

That sounds typical of NR--- add as much stress as you can

Henry Barber wrote:

I had this same discussion with a NR skills examiner yesterday. Her answer was

that they met with a proctor before the test and was told not to smile and tell

the student how they were doing.

Henry

Re: National Registry Fact or Fiction

Maxie,

I glad someone will take our concerns to the NR. The NR needs to

realize that they are providing a service and we are customers. The NR

also need to relaize they are replacable. My major concerns are the

lack of factual research to some of their claims. I have been asking

these questions to the NR ever since they came in, with absolutely no

reply.

1. Show us research on the efficacy of exam failures due to subscale

failure with an overall passing score. Not that it has stood up in

lawsuits. Every testing and measure professional( lawsuits. Every tes

talked to(through school districts and higher level education) has

balked at the fact that such a small sample in a limited instrument

could be validated. My lit searches show no proof and contrary

information to exam failure based on subscales.

2. How is cenrtalized skills testing benefiting our students besides

costing our students more time and money? The NR skill sheets are

inferior to what we had through TDH all of those years. There is no

examiner preparation course that use to be mandated through TDH. School

after school continually violates the NR mandate of no previous student

familiarity during skills testing and nothing is done about it.

3. The NR does not answer e-mail. Do they not want to put anything in

writting?

Wish you the best- do we call you el pesidente, el heffe, grand poobaa,

or just Maxie??

-MH

>>> maxifire@... >>>

FYI,

I am reading the messages you all are posting on the list server. I

retired

from DFD on Tuesday and will not report to work at DSHS until Tuesday,

August

1st, therefore this is not an official response because I have not

assumed

my new position, merely an observation.

I always read as many comments on the list server as possible although

I may

not comment. I'm reading through 185 emails tonight so I may not have

understood all of your concerns, but it seems the majority of you all

are

expressing discontent with the re-application process for retesters on

the NR exam

particuliarly lost applications and the delayed turn around time for

your

members to receive their scores.

I'm hoping that a lot of what you all are discussing concerning this

matter

will be corrected when they began on line testing. I had a couple

problems

in the past with the NR application process for retesting but in both

instances our members failed to complete the paperwork properly.

I will meet with some members from the NR next week and I will voice

your

concerns. If some of you will send me your student's name with the

details

I'll ask about their situation. My email address for now is

_maxifire (AT) aol (DOT) _ma_

(mailto:maxifire@...) .

Maxie