ROCKVILLE, Md.—For the second year, the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) has partnered with the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO) to make the pass rates for the 2017-2018 academic year at every institution available on its website, according to a joint announcement this week. The pass-rate data is found here. Last year’s report also is posted for comparison. “The NBEO is pleased to provide this pass rate data,” NBEO executive director Dr. Jill Bryant said in the announcement. “The results are from calculations using candidates’ scores who have both graduated during the listed time frame and attempted all three parts at least once. This information provides a consistent reporting mechanism as we continue our collaboration with ASCO in years to come.”

ASCO president Dr. David Damari said this national pass-rate data from member institutions “are important information for all stakeholders in our profession, and we are happy to make this information readily available.” He added, “Faculty at every one of our member institutions aims to equip each optometry student with the skills and knowledge to pass each part of the exam. We all are always working toward 100 percent pass rate.”

ASCO, a non-profit association representing the interests of optometric education, was founded in 1941 and its membership encompasses the schools and colleges of optometry in the 50 states and Puerto Rico.