34 = 65

This article by Diane Ravitch highlights the curve of Regents exams. On the Regents administered yesterday 30/87 (34%) results in a passing score of 65. With higher standards and clearer meaning of scores in grades 3- 8, expectations and learning will improve.

Here's the link to the article: http://www.nypost.com/seven/08132009/postopinion/opedcolumnists/toughen_the_tests_184289.htm

Here's to the Guinea Pigs: Geometry Regents Debut!

The much-awaited debut of New York's first Geometry Regents ;)
http://www.jmap.org/JMAP/RegentsExamsandQuestions/3-AdobePDFs/OriginalExams/Geometry/0609ExamGE.pdf

Good luck to all the guinea pigs who took it -- may the curve be kind to you!

It's the New Algebra II/Trig Regents!! (for 2010)

Click on the title and then scroll down for the Power Point on latest info on the Alg II/ Trig Regents coming soon to a school near you!
First adminstration of this Regents will be June 2010.
Good news -- it appears to match the SAT content more closely than the Math B material.

Teacher Education, Content Exposure and Test Prep

Just like students, student teachers benefit from content exposure.

By including the Regents, PSAT/SAT, 6th/7th/8th grade state tests and SHSAT in their training, teachers will develop tangible and memorable problem-solving strategies for their students. Many Teacher Ed programs focus on the undergraduate Math while underemphasizing the secondary Math that teachers will need in their classroom.

Through the process of mentoring and supervising secondary teachers, the philosophy and methodology of Math Confidence will be a powerful tool for instructors to have in their repertoire.

Exchanging Ideas and Strategies for Math B Success

On March 14th in Middletown, NY at the Ten County Math Educators Association annual conference, "Exchanging Ideas and Strategies for Math B Success" will debut. The workshop is a forum for teachers to share techniques for student learning and retention of the complex and lengthy nature of the Math B Regents curriculum.

Maximizing the usage of the TI-83/4 for better understanding and test performance will be a highlight as will the potential overuse of this tool.
Rounding will be discussed as the Math B's Part II, III and IV emphasizes this important skill.