ACTION IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS TEXAS HIGHER EDUCATION ASSESSMENT Presentation provided by UTPB West Texas Literacy Center an HSI funded program. HSI is a federally funded program granted by the Department of Education Title V programs. Developed by: Ana Miller, M.A.. Ed., Reading Specialist

THEA OVERVIEW Purpose -To assess reading, mathematics, and writing skills that entering freshmen-level students should have if they are to perform effectively in undergraduate certificate or degree programs in Texas public colleges and universities. Developed in place of TASP Determines placement in developmental Math, Reading, and Writing courses

DEVELOPMENTAL COURSES Purpose-To provide unprepared students with the assistance needed to build reading, math, and writing skills to a level sufficient for college success Universities may place students in Developmental Reading, Math, and/or Writing courses, based on test scores-THEA, SAT, ACT, ASSET, COMPASS, ACCUPLACER, or a university placement test Result of the Texas Success Initiative statute and regulations Credit hours do not count toward a degree plan

WHO SHOULD TAKE THE THEA? Students entering a Texas public college or a university, before enrolling in any college- level coursework Texas high school students planning to enroll in college courses that count for both high school and college credit under dual credit/concurrent enrollment programs

THEA EXEMPTIONS ACT – Composite score of 23 or higher AND individual Math and English scores of no less than 19 SAT – Composite score of 1070 or higher AND individual Math and Verbal scores of no less than 500 TAKS Exit Level – No less than 2200 scale score on all portions, with a minimum of a 3 on the Essay Test

THEA FORMAT MATH READING WRITING FIVE HOUR TEST

READING SELECTION DESCRIPTIONS General Description Represent a variety of subject areas Similar to first year college text Seven reading passages of words each Approximately 40 multiple-choice questions 4 Answer choices for each question Standard Passing Score 230

THEA READING SKILLS Determine the meaning of words and phrases Understand the main idea and supporting details in written material Identify a writer’s purpose, point of view, and intended meaning (inferences) Analyze the relationship among ideas in written material Use critical reasoning skills to evaluate written material Apply study skills to reading assignments

SKILL DESCRIPTION - 1 Determine the meaning of words and phrases Use of context clues to determine meaning of words and phrases that Are multiple meaning words Are unfamiliar and uncommon – such as content area terms (Science, History, Government…) Contain affixes – prefixes and suffixes Contain figurative expressions

SKILL DESCRIPTION - 2 Understand the main idea and supporting details in text Identifying explicit (stated) and implicit (implied) main ideas Recognizing ideas that support, illustrate, or elaborate the main idea

SKILL DESCRIPTION - 3 Identify a writer’s purpose, point of view, and intended meaning Recognize a writer’s expressed or implied purpose for writing Evaluating the appropriateness of written material for a specific purpose or audience Recognizing the likely effect that a writer’s choice of words would have on an audience Using the content, word choice, and phrasing of a passage to determine a writer’s opinion or point of view

SKILL DESCRIPTION - 4 Analyze the relationship among ideas in text Identify sequence of events or steps in a process Identify cause-effect relationships Compare and contrast – Analyze similarities and differences Identify problem and solution relationships Draw conclusions inductively and deductively from stated or implied information

SKILL DESCRIPTION - 5 Use critical reasoning skills to evaluate text Evaluate the validity of the writer’s stated and implied assumptions and arguments Judge the relevance or importance of facts, examples, or graphic data presented to support the writer’s argument Evaluate the logic of the writer’s argument Distinguish between facts and opinions Assess the writer’s or a source’s credibility or objectivity Evaluate the validity of analogies

SKILL DESCRIPTION - 6 Apply study skills to reading assignments Organize and summarize information for study purposes Follow written instructions or directions Interpret information presented in charts, graphs, or tables

THEA MATH SKILLS Fundamental Math Algebra Geometry Word Problems Approximately 50 multiple-choice questions Passing standard score - 230

Fundamental Mathematics Integers and Real Numbers Fractions Exponents Order of Operations Decimals Percentages Radicals Averages

Algebra Operations with Polynomials Simplifying Algebraic Expressions Linear Equations Two Linear Equations Quadratic Equations Absolute Value Equations Inequalities Ratios and Proportions

Geometry Points, Lines, and Angles Regular Polygons Triangles Quadrilaterals Circles Solids Coordinate Geometry

Word Problems Algebraic Rate Work Mixture Interest Discount Profit Sets Geometry Measurement Data Interpretation Combination of Mathematical Skills

YOU NEED TO KNOW THAT: Necessary formula sheets are provided Examinees may use a 4-function (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) calculator with square root and percent keys BE SURE TO USE THE FORMULA SHEETS!!!

WRITING SKILLS Two Writing Components-Multiple Choice Elements of Composition Sentence Structure, Usage, and Mechanics Approximately 40 multiple-choice questions Passing standard score – 220 Writing Sample word essay Passing standard score- 6 or above, regardless of performance on the multiple-choice items Score of 4 or below is failing, regardless of performance on the multiple-choice items With a score of 5, 70% of the multiple-choice items must be answered correctly to pass the Writing Section

Elements of Composition Recognize purpose and audience Recognize unity, focus, and development in writing Recognize effective organization in writing

Sentence Structure, Usage, and Mechanics Recognize effective sentences Recognize edited American English usage

Writing Sample Appropriateness-Audience, purpose, occasion Unity and Focus-Maintain main idea or point of view Development-Amount, depth, specificity of supporting details Organization-Clarity, logical sequence Sentence Structure Usage Mechanical Conventions-Capitalization, punctuation, spelling

TEST TAKING PREPARATION Gain access to a THEA study guide. Take the diagnostic test. Note your weak areas. Write a study plan and follow it. Start reviewing for the test well ahead (6-8 weeks) of your scheduled test date, depending on your diagnostic test results. This reviewing is intended to refresh your memory of the skills you have already been exposed to over the years. Avoid cramming – Cramming two or three days before the exam will probably not help your test performance. The tested skills represent those that you have learned over many years.

STUDY GUIDES Official THEA Test Study Guide - $16 Barron’s How to Prepare for the THEA 4 th ed. McCune, Wright, Elder ISBN: $16.95 (Available at Hastings) The Best Test Preparation for the THEA Conner, Chadwick-Joshua, Parks, Truscott, Wajingurt ISBN: $21.95 (Available at Hastings)

THEA Paper-and-Pencil Test Scheduled tests offered five times a year at 120 sites (Colleges and Universities) across Texas Registration Deadlines and Test Dates May 18, 2007 June 16, 2007 June 29, 2007 July 28, 2007 Test Results: 2-5 weeks $29

THEA Quick Test Same as THEA paper-and-pencil test Offered by many colleges, universities, and high schools Testing schedule determined by the institution Test Results: 1-2 weeks

THEA Quick Test Offered at UTPB PASS Office MB1160 Call to make appointment at least one day in advance of test date Test Times Monday-Thursday 9am or 2pm Friday-9am Saturday-10am $39 - $29 check or money order $10 cash for mailing and processing fees

TEST DAY Eat before the test. Dress comfortably in layers. Wear soft-soled shoes to help maintain a quiet testing environment. Report promptly.

GENERAL TEST TAKING STRATEGIES Follow directions carefully. Raise your hand and ask questions if you do not understand any part of the directions. Pace yourself – you have five hours. Three sections during one test administration –approximately 135 multiple-choice questions and one writing sample. Most examinees should set aside at least one hour to complete the writing sample.

GENERAL TEST TAKING STRATEGIES Make notes and marks in your test booklet. Guess wisely – Eliminate responses that are clearly incorrect to increase your odds of selecting the correct response. Use any time left at the end of the session to check the accuracy of your answers and your answer document. All answers and writing sample must be written in your answer document.

RETAKING THEA ONLY if student’s initial scores: Reading below 201 Math below 206 Writing below 205 Can retake the sections not passed If taking the THEA Quick Test, must wait 30 days before retesting

PRACTICE THEA TEST Wednesday, May 30, :45am-2pm (May leave when finished with test) UTPB Library foyer No Cost Registration form due: Wednesday, May 2 Senior Counselor’s Office

PRACTICE THEA RESULTS Tuesday, June 5, am or 2pm UTPB Library foyer

PRACTICE THEA TEST Diagnostic Tool Three Categories of Examinees Based on each section test results Math, Reading, Writing 90%+ Correct: 1-2 week review, THEA test 80%-89% Correct: 3-4 week review, THEA test

UTPB THEA PREP PROGRAM 79% or below  Opportunity to attend a 4 day, 3-hour per day THEA Preparation Program  Monday, June 18-Thursday, June 21  Reading/Writing 9am-12pm Ana Miller  Math 1pm-4pm Jill Miller  Registration form due Friday, June 8 by 5pm to UTPB Literacy Center MB 4180  Must attend the 4 days  Attend only the subject sessions for which you qualify  No cost

ACTION = USE A STUDY GUIDE CREATE A STUDY PLAN FOLLOW THE PLAN TAKE THE THEA DURING THE SUMMER General Information Handouts (White Sheets) Registration Forms for Practice THEA (Colored Sheets)

References McCune, S., Wright, N., Elder, J. (2004). How to prepare for the THEA. NY: Barron’s. Trochim, W. K. (2006). Research methods knowledge base. ind.php ind.php REA The Best Test Preparation for the THEA (2004). New Jersey: REA. THEA Faculty Manual. NES, Inc. (2006).