"Test Prep Really Does Help Us Learn"

This New York Times article "New York City Shows Gains in Math" ended with a quote from a sixth grader: "Test prep really does help us learn."

Math Confidence workshops show how test prep can benefit learners:

“Using ‘Good Wrong Answers’ to Achieve Math Confidence and Success”
Test prep can be used as a learning tool as multiple choice tests have tempting incorrect answers that often reflect students’ common misunderstandings. Studying these “good wrong answers” and identifying potential errors leads to deeper comprehension, higher confidence and better grades while improving problem-solving skills.

“Exchanging Ideas and Strategies for Math (Regents/SAT/SHSAT/3-8) Success”
This forum includes a lively and engaging discussion on multiple choice questions, metacognition, TI-83/4 strategies (for Regents and SAT) and topics generated by the participants.

In New York, prior state tests are public information, creating a teaching and learning opportunity for students, parents, teachers and the public at large. Using old or sample exams as an educational supplement, people can raise metacognition (thinking about thinking) and gain content exposure.

The Stuyvesant/Bronx Science exam (SHSAT)is a much more intense indicator (than the state tests) of expectations for early 8th graders. Here is the link to the SHSAT handbook that contains two sample exams.
http://schools.nyc.gov/NR/rdonlyres/D6C3C010-DD6B-4B04-BFFB-3A9C240F27C9/0/SHSAT_Hndbk_0809_toDOE.pdf

NYS Elementary and Intermediate exams for all subjects
Grades 3 - 8 http://www.nysedregents.org/testing/eleminttests.html

Click here for high school content http://www.jmap.org/

Robin Schwartz
www.mathconfidence.com

Test Prep as an Opportunity for Core Knowledge

In today's New York Times (3/23/09), E.D. Hirsch the Cultural Literacy guru espouses the idea of infusing test prep with core knowledge (general background knowledge)...here is a link to the benefits: http://www.coreknowledge.org/CK/about/index.htm#Benefits

While Math isn't mentioned in this op-ed piece, quantitative ideas mixed with core knowledge -- graphs and charts, taxes and population, and current events show the applicability of Math. This perspective can help learners relate to Math in and out of the classroom.

Test Prep as an Opportunity

Like Math Confidence, the NCTM (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics www.nctm.org) is viewing Test Prep as an Opportunity ;)

These were in the InBox today from NCTM:

Subject: Best Practices for Test Prep - Middle School Member Update
http://www.nctm.org/membership/msupdate.aspx?id=2147483702


Subject: Getting Students to Excel in Mandated Testing - High School Member Update
http://www.nctm.org/membership/hsupdate.aspx?id=2147483700


Subject: Take Pride in Preparing Students for Tests - Higher Ed Member Update
http://www.nctm.org/membership/heupdate.aspx?id=2147483701

Adding Test Prep to Teacher Training and Prof Dev

Because New York State tests are public information and are easily downloadable, there is a teaching and learning opportunity for students, parents, teachers and the public at large.


Using these old exams as an educational supplement, people can raise metacognition (thinking about thinking) and gain content exposure. This will ensure that students are familiar with the material and format of standardized exams.

Click here for NYS Elementary and Intermediate exams for all subjects
Grades 3 - 8 http://www.nysedregents.org/testing/eleminttests.html

Click here for high school content http://www.jmap.org/

Overall NYS web site: http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/osa/

New York asks for Feedback on Testing

This survey asks which months should be considered for New York State testing plus whether tests should be multiple choice and/or open-ended questions.

Parents, students, teachers, interested citizens click on the title and give your feedback on Grades 3 - 8 New York State testing. Because of No Child Left Behind, states have required testing in Math and ELA (English Language Arts).

First and foremost, constructing tests is a challenge – it is for me with only a few dozen students whereas the state has millions!!!

The state would like feedback on the format of the test -- multiple choice vs. open-ended questions. While the open-ended questions provide an opportunity for partial credit, some are tricky because they would like an explanation for Plain Old Math.

Click here for old exams and other info on testing in NYS:

General NYS Testing page
http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/osa/

Specific Math NYS page
http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/osa/elintmath.html

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.