CEM Celebrates 46th Anniversary with Virtual Conference: Balanced Assessment System for Educational Improvement

Makati City – The Center for Educational Measurement, Inc. (CEM) marked its 46th anniversary with a successful virtual conference on September 30, 2024. The event, themed “Building a Balanced Assessment System: Beyond the Numbers,” brought together educators nationwide to  discuss the importance of comprehensive assessment in improving educational outcomes.  

During his Welcome Message, Dr. Luis M. Sorolla, Chair of the CEM Board of Trustees, emphasized CEM’s commitment to going beyond traditional assessment practices and focusing on a balanced approach, while Dr. Grace H. Aguiling-Dalisay, CEM President and CEO, highlighted the importance of partnership in our collective mission to elevate educational standards in the Philippines during her opening remarks.  

Renowned speakers shared their insights on creating a balanced assessment system. Dr. Jimmy de la Torre discussed the interconnectedness of various assessments during his keynote address. CEM Directors, Ms. Kathy M. Tan and Ms. Janet T. Evasco emphasized the importance  of validity and alignment in assessment design. Dr. Jasper Vincent Q. Alontaga stressed the need  for innovative assessment practices, and Dr. Marie Therese A.P. Bustos underscored the relevance of assessments that reflect real-world challenges.  

Mr. Louie P. Cagasan, Jr. synthesized the speakers’ insights, emphasizing the transformative  journey of modernizing the Philippine educational assessment system. Ms. Iris Lark H. Dizer, Overall Chair of the conference committee, concluded the event by underscoring the importance of data-driven decision-making and collaboration in building a balanced assessment system.  

As CEM continues to celebrate its 46th year, it reaffirms its commitment to providing high-quality assessment services and supporting educational improvement in the Philippines. 

About the Center for Educational Measurement, Inc. (CEM)  

Since 1978, the Center for Educational Measurement, Inc. (CEM) has been the trailblazer in the field of local standardized testing and research in the Philippines. Guided by its mission of helping schools improve the quality of education through assessment and research, CEM fulfills its vision of being the key player in the development of a coherent system of assessment and research in  education by consistently innovating its product and service offerings to address the needs of the  academe and the industries.  

CEM takes pride in its products and their potential to transform education because they are developed rigorously based on internationally-accepted practices and highest ethical standards in test development. Its portfolio of copyright-protected product lines ranges from achievement and aptitude tests, scholarship and pre-employment screening tools, career coaching and high-stakes government-commissioned tests  such as the National Medical Admission Test (NMAT).  

The organization is composed of highly trained and competent teams who design valuable professional  development and other auxiliary services and initiate studies that focus on promoting student academic success, career readiness and school excellence using empirical data and evidences. It continuously hones the expertise and capabilities of its staff through training and collaboration with various local and international professional organizations in order to uphold the standards of excellence that are embedded  in its core.  

With its wide network strategically located across the country, CEM has served thousands of member  schools and millions of test users here and abroad. Due to the quality and credibility of its products, CEM is recognized by private and public institutions as the trusted provider of valid and reliable educational assessment instruments.  

For more than four decades, CEM has adapted to the changing educational and social landscape and emerged stronger in responding to various challenges. Its business integrity and core values have allowed  the organization to relish on the respect and trust given by its stakeholders.