Education 150

EDUC 150: Passing the Test: Praxis Core Math

Prerequisites: Students seeking admission into the Teacher Education Program

Credit Hours: (2)   

This course is intended to support the development and analysis of math skills essential for professional educators through the lenses of student efficacy, mathematics anxiety, and problem-solving approaches to skill development and test taking. The course will focus on reflections of previous experiences in math, the most common areas of difficulty on the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators: Mathematics exam, and individualized skill goals identified through course pre-assessments.

This course may not be used to replace required mathematics course or count towards a concentration in mathematics.

Detailed Description of Content of Course

This course is intended to support the development and analysis of math skills essential for professional educators through the lenses of student efficacy, mathematics anxiety, and problem-solving approaches to skill development and test taking. In addition  to predictable points of challenge common to the Praxis Core Mathematics exam, course content includes students' reflections on their personal histories in mathematisc and pre-assessments to identify areas of challenge for each student. The meaning behind these concepts will be explored so that students attain a deeper understanding of the mathematical concepts. More importantly, students will analyze and discuss how much more they know than they realize, and, in turn, how prior experiences may have hindered their capacity to learn from mistakes and/or fully demonstrate their knowledge and udnerstanding. This will create an important frame of reference for their own philosophies of teaching and the significance of creating a safe, nurturing atmosphere for learning in their future practice.

This course will be graded Pass/Fail (P/F).

Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

Prospective teachers will begin by looking at their personal histories in mathematics. Pre-assessments constructed from practice exam items will be administred at the beginning of the course to target specific areas of need for each student. Based on reflection and pre-assessment data, individualized learning and practice plans will require students to revisit mathematical concepts in which they have encountered difficulty. Students will consider how assessment designs in their prior experiences amy ahve impacted their performance. Class discussions will examine the roles stress and anxiety play in the development of math skills, efficacy and confidence, and performance in testing situations. Students will learn strategies for mitigating the impacts of stress and anxiety on their achievement.

Students are encouraged to attempt the Praxis exam at midterm or soon thereafter. A passing score completes the course. Students may enroll for one credit hour and participate in class instruction, as scheduled in the first seven weeks of the semester. Students may enroll in two credit hours to access more individualized support. These students will meet with the professor individually for at least 30 minutes a week in the second half of the semester. This will allow for individualized instruction on the topics that are stil troubling for the student.

Goals and Objectives of the Course

Having successfully completed this course the students will be able to:

1) Use their critical thinking skills to solve problems.
2) Draw on prior knowledge and apply it to previously difficult mathematical concepts.
3) Demonstrate change in their attitude about mathematics, moving from negative to more positive outlooks.
4) Identify how past experiences play a alrge role in present attitudes.
5) Develop strategies for successful performance on math assessments.

Assessment Measures

Include, but are not limited to, the following: Performance on the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators: Mathematics exam, practice math assessments, regular participation in class discussion, written reflections.

    Students will receive a P (pass) for the course by meeting these objectives:

    1) Pass the Praxis I Core academic skills exam in mathematics any time during the semester

                OR

    A. Complete at least 90% of the course assignments
    B. Miss no more than 3 classes the entire semester with no more than one unexcused absence

Other Course Information

None

Review and Approval

November 27, 2017
April 4, 2016