Identifying Strategies and Resources To Meet the Challenges of the PRAXIS Examinations for Teachers Quality Education for Minorities (QEM) Network August 28 – 29, 2009 Daphne Buckley, Director Office of Quality Professionals and Special Schools Mississippi Department of Education
What are the Challenges? Preparing Students for Success Ensuring Teacher Quality Encouraging PRAXIS Test Preparation Securing PRAXIS Test Resources
Preparing Students for Success Increase the rigor of the curriculum Increase the quantity and quality of teachers Promote student awareness about the profession
NAEP 2007 Grade 4 Mathematics National Average Top 10 States 1.Massachusetts New Jersey New Hampshire249 4.Kansas248 5.Minnesota247 6.Vermont246 7.North Dakota245 8.Indiana245 9.Ohio Wisconsin244 Bottom 10 States 43. Hawaii Tennessee Arizona Nevada Louisiana California Alabama New Mexico Mississippi District of Columbia214 Source: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), 2007 Reading Assessment.
NAEP 2007 Grade 8 Mathematics National Average Source: U.S. Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences, National Center for Education Statistics, National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), 2007 Mathematics Assessment. Top 10 States 1.Massachusetts Minnesota North Dakota Vermont Kansas290 6.New Jersey289 7.South Dakota Virginia New Hampshire Montana 287 Bottom 10 States 43. Arkansas Louisiana Nevada California West Virginia Hawaii New Mexico Alabama Mississippi District of Columbia248
Focus on Teacher Quality Teacher Preparation Teacher Recruitment – GIFT Mississippi – Critical Shortage Act Teacher Support – Mississippi Beginning Support Program
Mississippi Teacher Workforce 38 Teacher Education Candidates Admitted in Teacher Candidates Completed Math Programs in 2006 – 2007 MS issued _____ Interim Licenses in Mathematics
Teacher Preparation Blue Ribbon Committee on the Redesign of Teacher Education Traditional Preparation Programs Alternative Route Preparation Programs Praxis Workshops for Prospective Teachers
Teacher Recruitment GIFT Mississippi Critical Needs Scholarship Program Mississippi Teacher Fellowship Program Alternate Route Loan Forgiveness Program
Teacher Support Mississippi Beginning Teacher Support Program Selected Professional Development for Teachers
Focus on Test Preparation Look for test preparation materials – Free materials from ETS Test at a Glance – Study Guides and Practice Test – Workshops at local universities Source: Educational Testing Service
Praxis I: Mathematics – Test At A Glance (TAAG) Time Topics Sample Test Questions Develop a Study Plan Source: Educational Testing Service
Praxis I: Mathematics Create a Plan of Study – Content Areas – Strengths and Weaknesses – Available Resources – Schedule – Group Study – Review Previous Score Reports Source: Educational Testing Service
Prepare a Plan of Action Sample Test -
PRAXIS Test Resources Free Test Preparation Materials PRAXIS Website Source: Educational Testing Service
PRAXIS Test Taking Tips Don’t Worry Watch Your Time Read Carefully Consider Key Words Eliminate When You Can Source: Educational Testing Service
Helping Our Students to Meet the Challenge Work to ensure that students are prepared to enter the profession Provide support and professional development for teachers in the content area Provide guidance and support to prospective teachers Help candidates to find resources
Meeting the Mathematical Challenge of the Praxis Examinations Preparation Organization Practice