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Friday, March 7, 2014 - 7:41pm
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CEM holds 35th anniversary conference

For 35 years now, the Center for Educational Measurement (CEM) has been providing testing services for the evaluation and assessment needs of both the private and public education sectors in the Philippines.

From its proactive beginnings in the 70s in pioneering the first locally developed College Entrance Test to its ready response in providing tools for the newly implemented K to 12 Basic Education Program, the ultimate goal for CEM is to help educators utilize appropriate information for the improvement of education.

To mark its 35th anniversary, CEM held a nationwide conference for its member schools throughout the country: New World Hotel in Manila, Waterfront Hotel in Cebu, and Marco Polo Hotel in Davao.

Dr. Reynaldo Bautista, CEM Board of Trustees Chair, and Dr. Lenore Decenteceo, CEM President, welcomed the guests.

The theme "Lead with Data. Lead Change." was the focus of the joint keynote speech of Teresita Maghanoy, CEM-Cebu Consultant and Mussolini Yap, CEM-Cebu Branch Manager, and further illustrated in presentations by selected school leaders from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Maghanoy discussed how teachers can use CEM data to modify teaching practices to improve student learning; while Yap shared how intervention programs can be designed to address learning gaps.

Recognitions

Recognition Awards were given to CEM Center Coordinators and Resource Persons who have actively addressed school needs through their contribution to CEM services.

A Special Recognition Award was given to Davao Association of Colleges and Schools (Davao City), headed by its president Fr. Danny C. Montaña, RCJ, for its continued support as partner in CEM’s programs towards educational excellence through measurement and research.

Commitment to Academic Excellence Award (CAEA) were given to schools that have shown commitment to quality education through assessment and research in partnership with CEM while CEM Exemplary School Performance Award (CESPA) were given to schools that have accomplished outstanding overall performance in the CEM Achievement Tests in English, Mathematics, Science, or Reading over a period of five school years.

The conference was also an opportunity to recognize the organizations that have partnered with CEM in granting scholarships to deserving students: Bank of the Philippine Islands; Philippine Geothermal Production Company; IBM Philippines; Boehringer Ingelheim (Philippines); Nestlé Philippines; Holcim Philippines; and Philippine Business for Education.

Servicing a nation

In 1969, CEM's predecessor, the Guidance and Testing Division of the Fund for Assistance to Private Education or FAPE, created the first locally developed College Entrance Test which became a precursor to the National College Entrance Examination.

In 1978, FAPE spun off its testing division and established CEM to address the need of the private school sector for reliable tests for student selection and institutional planning.

CEM currently offers 61 different tests that cover achievement measurement, aptitude measurement and career guidance. CEM services different levels of education from elementary school to professional schools with over 600 current subscription member-schools.

CEM has a network of 2 branches and 18 test centers nationwide. As a complement to its testing services, CEM holds instructional and advisory programs for teachers, guidance counsellors, and school administrators. The programs are designed to augment a school's agenda for professional development.

CEM aims to constantly grow and adapt to the dynamic landscape of education needs as well as strive to be a consistent and reliable partner for improvement and excellence.