Middle
and Upper Grades Math Placement and Readiness Testing
Why Readiness Testing?
A readiness test can be useful tool
in helping to determine which math course is appropriate for a particular
student. Though a readiness test is not
a sole indicator of success, it can be used along with STAR scores and success
in the previous math course to give the ES more information to place students
in the appropriate math course and give them the support they need to be
successful. Math placement in the middle
school years can be particularly challenging, since Algebra 1 is both an eighth
grade standards course and a course requirement for high school
graduation. We want to ensure that our
middle school students are ready for Algebra 1, or take another year to prepare,
and then move on to Algebra in high school.
Who should take readiness tests?
Any middle or high school student
may take a readiness test. However, it is required for the following students:
-Elementary students taking
Pre-Algebra
-Elementary or middle school
students taking Algebra 1 or Geometry
During the Spring
semester, the following students will be required to take a math readiness test
to determine math placement for the next school year:
-Current 5th grade students desiring to take Pre-Algebra in 6th grade
-Current 5th,6th,
or 7th grade students desiring to take Algebra 1 next year
-Current 7th grade students taking Pre-Algebra (7th grade standards) this year.
The readiness test will help determine appropriate placement for 8th
grade—Algebra Readiness, Pre-Algebra, or Algebra 1
-Current 8th grade students taking
Algebra 1 this year. If these students demonstrate proficiency on the readiness
test, then they can move on to Geometry or Algebra 2, if not, they should
retake high school Algebra 1 in 9th grade.
-Current 7th or 8th
grade students taking Geometry.
The Mathematics Diagnostic Testing
Project (MDTP) will be used. Several general testing sessions will be
offered in the spring, or the test can be administered by the ES. The parent
may NOT administer the test.
What test is used?
The Mathematics Diagnostic Testing
Project (MDTP) will be used. The MDTP is
a diagnostic testing service provided by the CSU and UC systems. The tests are designed to determine a
student’s readiness for a particular course, from pre-algebra through calculus.
Here are instructions for Interpreting
the MDTP Scores.
What kind of information does it
give?
The
score reports identify specific areas where additional study or review is
needed for a student to be successful in a particular math course. They can help a parent or ES determine
placement for the next math course. It
can also help guide summer studying or additional tutoring.
Who administers the test?
A
staff member must administer the test (45 minutes). A few general testing sessions will be
offered at learning centers or other locations.
The ES may administer the test in the home. See instructions below.
What if a student does not pass?
A low score on a readiness tests
could indicate that the student needs to repeat the previous course, take an
Algebra Readiness course before beginning Algebra 1, receive some remediation
on an individual basis, or receive regular support throughout the course to be
successful. See chart below.
If you have a parent that wants their student to take a particular math course,
even though the MDTP indicates that they are not ready, you may also look at
the STAR scores when discussing their options. If the ES and the parent
disagree with the readiness and STAR scores, or if either would like more
information, they may contact Debbie Kutz for help.
Mathematics Readiness Testing Instructions for ES
Administration
· Contact the school office to obtain the appropriate test
booklet. Note that you would request the
booklet for the course the student would be taking next (ie., a pre-algebra student
would take the Algebra Readiness test).
Email cwsecretary@connectingwaters.org (cc: dkutz@connectingwaters.org)
with the following information: test booklet desired, name and mailing address,
student’s name and grade, ES.
Pre-Algebra Readiness (end of 6th grade)—PR40A04
Algebra
Readiness (end of 7th grade)— AR45A00
Geometry
Readiness (end of Algebra 1)— GR45A06
Second-Year Algebra Readiness (end of Geometry)— SR45A06
· NOTE: Test booklets are re-useable and must be returned to
the school office after use. NO PORTION
OF THE TEST MAY BE COPIED.
· The answer sheets
can be obtained through Edusoft.com using the following steps:
1)
Log into edusoft.com using your
username and password
2)
Select the Benchmarks Exams tab
3)
Select Assessments
4)
Select the MDTP folder (click on “+” for a drop-down menu)
5)
Highlight the specific test you are
using. (You will select the correct folder on the left to reveal the names of
tests on the right side. Select the name of the correct test.)
Pre-Algebra Readiness --PR40A04
Algebra
Readiness – select AR45A00
Geometry
Readiness—select GR45A06
Second-Year Algebra Readiness – select SR45A06
6)
Click on “print answer sheet” in the
lower-right corner
7) Uncheck the box next to “Include generic answer sheets for each
period”. Click on “continue”
8)
Select the grade that your student
is in, click “continue”
9)
Select the name of your student’s ES. Also
select the grade again.
10) Scroll
down to the bottom of the page and click on “continue”
11) Print
the answer sheet (you may need to save a copy of the document in order to
print)
· Administer the test
1) Darken the bubble next to the
student’s name taking the test. Write
the student’s name at the top of the page.
2) Provide scratch paper
3) Do not allow calculators
4) Do not allow the student to write in
the booklet
5) Allow only the suggested time limit
of 45 minutes, unless a 504 plan indicates otherwise
· After the test is
administered, return the answer sheet and the test booklet to the school
office:
Connecting
Attn: Math Readiness
· After the answer
sheet is scanned, you will be able to view your student’s scores on Edusoft
1)
Log into edusoft.com using your
username and password
2)
Select the Benchmarks Exams tab
3)
Select Reports from the icons under
the Benchmark Exams tab
4)
Select Student Performance Report
5)
Type in your student’s first and
last names. Click “Search”
6)
Select your student from the list
and click “Continue”
7)
Under, “Select Assessments” there
are 2 tabs: State Analysis and Benchmark Exams. Select the Benchmark Exams tab.
8)
Select the MDTP test
Scroll down and select all of the options
Click “Next”
9)
Review information and select click
“Finish”
10) Choose “Printer-Friendly” format
11) View the report. See chart below for abbreviations. If the
test gives a performance band number, it can be considered similar to the
following:
Band 1—Far Below Basic
Band 2—Below Basic
Band 3—Basic
Band 4—Proficient
Band 5--Advanced
12) Record the raw score on the student’s learning record
Key
to Abbreviations
|
|
|
|
PR - Prealgebra Readiness |
|
|
FRDM |
Fractions, Decimals, and Percents |
|
FRDM |
Fractions and Decimals |
|
GEOM** |
Measurement of Geometric Objects |
|
GMMS^ |
Measurement of Geometric Objects |
|
GRDA** |
Co-ordinate Plane, Graphical
Representation, Data Analysis |
|
GRDA^ |
Co-ordinate Geometry, Graphical
Representation, Data Analysis |
|
INTG |
Integers |
|
LITS |
Literal Symbols |
|
PROP |
Proportional Reasoning |
|
**GEOM and GRDA Descriptions on
version PR40A04 (GMMS^ and GRDA^ were changed) |
|
|
AR - Algebra Readiness |
|
|
DAPR* |
Data Analysis, Probability, and
Statistics |
|
DECM |
Decimals, their Operations and
Applications; Percent |
|
EQTN |
Simple Equations and Operations
with Literal Symbols |
|
EXPS |
Exponents and Square Roots;
Scientific Notation |
|
FRAC |
Fractions, their Operations and
Applications |
|
GMMS |
Measurement of Geometric Objects |
|
GRPH |
Graphical Representation |
|
INTG |
Integers, their Operations and
Applications |
|
GR - Geometry Readiness |
|
|
EXPS |
Exponents and Square Roots;
Scientific Notation |
|
GRPH |
Graphical Representation |
|
INGL |
Informal Geometry and Logic |
|
LINR |
Linear Equations and Inequalities |
|
POLQ |
Polynomials, including Quadratic
Equations |
|
RATL |
Rational Expressions |
|
SR - Second Year Algebra Readiness |
|
|
EXPS |
Exponents and Square Roots;
Scientific Notation |
|
GEOM |
Geometry and Logic |
|
GRPH |
Graphing |
|
LINR |
Linear Equations and Inequalities |
|
POLQ |
Polynomials, including Quadratic
Equations |
|
RATL |
Rational Expressions |
Math Readiness Test Selection, Scoring, and Placement
|
Current Grade of student |
Current Course |
Readiness Test needed |
Score |
Suggested Placement for next year |
Score |
Suggested Placement for next year |
Score |
Suggested Placement for next year |
|
6th |
Pre-Algebra* |
Algebra Readiness* AR45A00 |
0-18 |
Pre-Algebra |
19-35 |
Pre-Algebra |
36-45 |
a-g Algebra 1 |
|
7th |
7th grade standards*
(Pre-Algebra) |
Algebra Readiness* AR45A00 |
0-18 |
Algebra Readiness |
19-27 |
Pre-Algebra |
28-45 |
a-g Algebra 1 |
|
8th |
Pre-Algebra |
Algebra Readiness(opt.) AR45A00 |
0-18 |
General Algebra 1*** or Algebra
Readiness |
19-27 |
General Algebra 1*** |
28-45 |
General Algebra 1 or a-g Algebra 1 |
|
7th or 8th |
Algebra 1 * |
Geometry Readiness* GR45A06 |
0-18 |
General Algebra 1 |
19-27 |
a-g Algebra 1 |
28-45 |
a-g Geometry |
|
7th or 8th |
Geometry* |
Second-Year Algebra Readiness
SR45A06 |
0-18 |
a-g Algebra 1 |
19-27 |
a-g Algebra 1 |
28-45 |
a-g Algebra 2 |
|
*Readiness test is required for these students **Recommended placement with summer review and a re-test
in August; additional support and remediation during the school year ***Recommended placement with possible additional support
and remediation during the school year |
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