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 placement test. However, it is required for the following students:
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 6th grade students desiring to take
Algebra 1 in 7th grade
-Current 7th grade students taking Pre-Algebra
(7th grade standards) this year. If these students demonstrate proficiency on the readiness test, they can move to Algebra 1; if not, they should take an Algebra Readiness course.
-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.
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.
Thus far, these are the dates and times scheduled for group testing:
Monday, April 12, 10-11am—Modesto Learning Center, 4713 Greenleaf Ct., Ste.A , Modesto
Monday, April 12, 12:15-1:15pm—Ceres Learning Center, 3641 Mitchell Rd, Ste. F, Ceres
Monday, April 19, 10-11am—Lodi Boys & Girls Club, 275 E. Poplar St., Lodi
Wednesday, April 21, 1-2pm—Ceres Learning Center, 3641 Mitchell Rd, Ste. F, Ceres
Monday, April 26, 10-11am (tentative)--Dublin Library, 200 Civic Plaza, Dublin
If you would like to have your student participate in the group testing, please signup by completing the survey at this link by March 19, 2010.(A separate survey needs to be completed for each student)
The tests can also be administered individually by the ES, and the test booklets can be obtained from the school office.
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.
Whom do I contact for assistance?
Do not hesitate to contact
our Math Specialist, Debbie Kutz, dkutz@connectingwaters.org ,
with any questions about using or interpreting the results of these tests.
Mathematics Readiness Testing Instructions for ES
Administration
·
Contact the
school office to obtain the appropriate test booklet. 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 (end of 6th grade)—PR40A04
Algebra Readiness (end of 7th
grade)—select AR45A00
Geometry Readiness (end of Algebra
1)—select GR45A06
Second-Year
Algebra Readiness (end of Geometry)—select SR45A06
6) Click on “print answer sheet” in the lower-right
corner
7) Click on “continue”
8) Select the grade that your student is in, click
“continue”
9) Select the
name of your student’s ES
10) Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on
“continue”
11) Print the answer sheet (you may need to save the
document in order to print)
·
Administer the
test
1)
1) Darken the bubble next to the student’s name taking the test. If the name is
not there, use the generic answer sheet and bubble in the student’s ID number.
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
·
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 test
Scroll
down and select all of the options
Click
“Next”
9) Review information and select click “Finish”
10) Choose a report 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
|
Grade of student 2009-2010 |
Course 2009-2010 |
Readiness Test (end of
2009-2010 ) |
Score |
Suggested Placement for
2010-2011 |
Score |
Suggested Placement for
2010-2011 |
Score |
Suggested Placement for
2010-2011 |
|
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 |
|
8th * |
Algebra 1 * |
Geometry Readiness* (GR45A06) |
0-18 |
Algebra 1 |
19-27 |
General Geometry |
28-45 |
a-g Geometry |
|
*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 |
||||||||