Date: 18/03/2008

The annual “Innovations in Testing 2008, the 9th Annual Conference of ATP” was held in Dallas, Texas in the grand Gaylord Texan this year on March 3-5, 2008. As a platinum sponsor, ATA led a Chinese delegation consisting of 10 officials from Ministry of Health and China Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Association attended the annual event. Mr. Alex Tong, Vice President of ATA, presented his research findings on the validity between performance-based testing and on-job performance of candidates, and received enthusiastic responses and interests from the audience.

One of the highlights this year is the introduction of the first “ATP Security Summit” which was held right after the annual main conference. About 200 experts in IT, education, licensure and certification attended the summit and conducted group discussions on key issues concerning test security. After hours of brainstorming and inspiring discussion from each discussion group, a reporting session was held with key conclusions and follow-up tasks being presented by each group to all participants. As a key sponsor of the Security Summit, ATA played an active part by leading one of these group discussions on Tiered Test Administration.

The ATP officials were greatly impressed by the active participation of Chinese delegation in ATP events and hosted a special luncheon for the Chinese delegation. The Chairman and the council members of ATP together with key players in the testing market attended to receive the delegation. They expressed their appreciation for ATA’s effort in helping to promote exchanges and communications with the international markets and hoping for more involvement and contribution from their Chinese counterparts.