Being a Member of the Association of Test Publishers (ATP)

Featuring member Nikki Shepherd Eatchel, Questar Assessment, Inc.

Situation

In today's high-stakes assessment environment, administrator’s need a partner who can help them drive greater accountability and uphold the reputations of their school districts. Questar Assessment, Inc. provides K–12 assessment solutions that deliver the accurate information necessary to help students achieve their potential. The demands of this business require extensive understanding of “hot issues” in the industry, what future needs are creating buzz and what is working for others. If Questar can accurately anticipate the client’s future needs, it can be “first to market” with ready solutions. This requires collaboration with an industry leading organization that can forecast trends, provide access to cutting-edge technology, communicate the timeliest updates on legislative issues and deliver access to the most knowledgeable assessment professionals. In addition, Questar looks for opportunities to give back to the industry and desires the best networking and educational options for its staff.

Solution

Membership and affiliation with the leading organization in the assessment industry became the clear solution – the Association of Test Publishers (ATP). Members receive support, insight and information that results in a noticeable competitive advantage.

Benefits

ATP membership provides many benefits to Questar Assessment, Inc. including:

• Legislative and Regulatory Influence - ATP’s advocacy helps ensure the protection of intellectual properties that is vital to Questar and others in the field. Working with ATP allows Questar to actively influence key issues and future direction of the industry. They now have the opportunity to provide perspective and guidance to government organizations, agencies and legislators. It is very difficult, if not impossible, for any company to accomplish this alone.
  
  
• Current Information and Communications - The need for the knowledge of the latest developments and trends in assessments is critical for Questar. ATP publications and articles, along with access to the Journal of Applied Testing Technology (JATT), provide frequent and relevant insight that keeps assessment professionals current in all areas of assessments, not just one area of expertise. As a secondary benefit, these messages are a terrific educational resource that is utilized regularly with the Questar team. This allows Questar to anticipate future needs and adapt business and strategy accordingly.
  
  
• Protecting Intellectual Properties – Intense work is done to create effective assessments. As a result, those intellectual properties must be protected. ATP, in a leadership capacity, favorably impacts this in ways any single company could not. Questar depends on the affiliation with ATP to maximize this ability to protect work-products and assessments.
  
  
• Leadership Development - Many opportunities exist to volunteer, serve on committees or even chair a committee. Through these opportunities, Questar positively impacts the industry, grows personal leadership capabilities and better positions Questar. Questar employees who participate in these activities have a deeper understanding of industry issues which is converted into improved products and deliverables for clients. The strongest benefit however, is what can be learned from other committee members as Questar learns what works for them.
  
  
• Professional Networking - Membership has provided a strong network of the most capable professionals in the assessment field. Questar interacts regularly with this network of professionals to exchange information and experiences that are mutually beneficial.
  
  
• Conference Participation - Questar states “Innovations in Testing is the best conference in the industry and it gets better each year.” It provides opportunities for invaluable face–to-face interaction. It is the focal point to solidifying direction for the industry in the coming year.
  
  
• Competitive Edge - Members have immediate access to knowledge, trends and developments that clearly put them in a position to win.

Positive Results

Questar’s relationship with ATP and annual conference participation has enabled the organization to create its own database for security solutions. ATP’s deep-rooted connections and valuable resources continue to play a major role in corporate strategies for growth and success within the industry, as well as exceptional customer satisfaction.

Nikki Shepherd Eatchel is the vice president of Program Management at Questar Assessment, Inc. She is responsible for managing the development and implementation of Questar’s custom assessment programs. Nikki is also the Chair of the ATP Security Committee for Innovations in Testing 2013. Questar Assessment, Inc. provides K–12 assessment solutions that deliver the accurate information necessary to help students achieve their potential. Questar delivers high-quality, end-to-end solutions to clients' toughest assessment challenges.