EARLY CHILDHOOD BLOCK

Praxis II Seminar

Spring 2013

Praxis II Exam

The Praxis II exam is required for teacher certification by Mo. Dept. of Elem. & Sec. Education (DESE).

You should take the Praxis II at the end of Block III or the beginning of student teaching. Do not take it before Block III.

This website has important information for you:

http://www.semo.edu/eese/praxis2.htm

Praxis II ExamWhat test should you take?

Early Childhood majors(Birth – 3rd grade certification):

Education of Young Children Test Code 0021 – Paper Test Code 5021 – Computer

Qualifying score: 166

Praxis II ExamWhat test should you

take?

Early Childhood majors, adding Elem. Educ.(Birth – 6th grade certification):

To be “highly qualified” to teach 4th – 6th grades, you must have a qualifying score on

Elementary Education: Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment

Test Code 0011 - Paper Test Code 5011 – ComputerQualifying score: 164

MO Dept. of Elem. & Sec. Education Teacher Certification

Changes

Praxis II discontinued New MO Content Exam: Fall 2014

Taken end of junior year Must pass each subtest area

New MO Performance Assessment: Fall 2014 Replaces Teacher Work Sample Externally scored

Where do you find out information about your Praxis II

test?

Test at a Glance (TAAG) Number of questions, format, and

weighting of scores Content categories Sample test questions http://www.ets.org/Media/Tests/PR

AXIS/pdf/0021.pdf

Education of Young Children exam

90 multiple choice questions (80% of test weight)

3 short constructed-response questions (20% of text points)

2 hour time limit

Education of Young ChildrenMultiple choice test categories

and number of questions

Early Childhood Development: 16 Teaching and Supporting Diverse Children: 14 Creating a Developmentally Appropriate

Learning Environment: 17 Teaching and Learning: 22

Instructional Process Content Knowledge Assessment

Professionalism, Family, and Community: 21

Education of Young ChildrenConstructed response test categories and number of

questions

Demonstrating Knowledge of Teaching : 3 constructed-response Teaching and supporting diverse

children or Creating a developmentally appropriate learning environment

Relationships with Families or Professionalism

Assessment, Curriculum, or Instruction

Education of Young ChildrenSample Multiple Choice Question

Ms. Craig asks her students to write the word sailboat. Levi spells the word PKLLEEP. At which of the following levels is Levi spelling?

A. Transitional B. Conventional C. Pre-phonemic D. Phonemic

Education of Young ChildrenSample Multiple Choice Question

Ms. Craig asks her students to write the word sailboat. Levi spells the word PKLLEEP. At which of the following levels is Levi spelling?

A. Transitional B. Conventional C. Pre-phonemic D. Phonemic

Education of Young ChildrenSample Multiple Choice Question

Which of the following early childhoodprograms was launched in 1965 in an effort

to give economically disadvantaged children advanced preparation for the intellectual and social challenges of elementary school?A. High / ScopeB. MontessoriC. Bank Street ModelD. Project Head Start

Education of Young ChildrenSample Multiple Choice Question

Which of the following early childhoodprograms was launched in 1965 in an effort

to give economically disadvantaged children advanced preparation for the intellectual

and social challenges of elementary school?A. High / ScopeB. MontessoriC. Bank Street ModelD. Project Head Start

Education of Young ChildrenSample Multiple Choice

Question

Which of the following descriptions of physical development is typical for a 6 yr. old child? A. Walks on tiptoe, begins to skip, draws in

circular motions Gallops, able to draw designs, including

letters Likes to skip, somersault, copy designs,

including letters Stands on tiptoe, kicks ball forward, able to

screw and unscrew lids

Education of Young ChildrenSample Multiple Choice

Question

Which of the following descriptions of physical development is typical for a 6 yr. old child?A. Walks on tiptoe, begins to skip, draws in circular motionsB. Gallops, able to draw designs, including lettersC. Likes to skip, somersault, copy designs, including lettersD. Stands on tiptoe, kicks ball forward, able to screw and unscrew lids

Multiple Choice Test Taking Tips

Read carefully Underline important details Determine WHAT the question is

asking Eliminate the obvious wrong answers

to determine the “best answer” “Least” “Not” and “Except” are key

words that ask for a choice that doesn’t fit

Education of Young ChildrenSample Constructed Response

Question Part A: The parents of your kindergarten

students will be coming into your room for parent/teacher conferences. List FOUR materials that the parents would see in a learning center that will promote visual and auditory skills related to reading.

Part B: Based on principles of child development and learning, explain how each of these chosen materials will foster a child’s visual and auditory skills related to reading.

Education of Young ChildrenSample Constructed Response

Question

You are planning an integrated unit on plants and seeds for the diverse learners in your first-grade class.Part A: Describe one developmentally appropriate, plant-related activity that integrates the following disciplines:

Science Language arts Mathematics

Part B: Describe the conceptual understanding the activity will address in each content area.

Elementary Education Exam

110 multiple choice questions

2 hour time limit

http://www.ets.org/Media/Tests/PRAXIS/pdf/0011.pdf

Elementary Education Exam

Topics and Questions

Reading and Language Arts – 38 Mathematics - 22 Science - 11 Social Studies - 11 Arts and Physical Education - 11 General Info: Curriculum,

Instruction, and Assessment - 17

Praxis II exam Qualifying Score

The MO Dept. of Elem. & Sec. Ed sets this qualifying score:

Education of Young Children – 166 National median score: 183 Southeast median score: 187.45 (2010-

2011) Southeast Score Range in 2011-2012: 150 - 196 Southeast Early Childhood program: 100% pass rate (2006 – 2010), 97.5%

(2010-2011), 95.24% (2011-2012)

Preparing for Praxis II: Study Suggestions

Use all of the preparation materials available!

http://www.ets.org/praxis/prepare/materials/0021 Free study guides: Tests at a Glance Purchase study guide (eBook - $22.95) Organize a study group. Develop a Study Plan Review your notes from any classes

related to test topics.

Preparing for the Praxis II:Final Suggestions

Take a sample test – decide how to pace yourself.

Don’t try to cram– start preparing early!

Finish your review a few days before the test.

Look over checklist “Are You Ready?” Rest well the night before the test.

Questions? This power point presentation is

available on Dr. Ray’s websites: http://cstl-coe.semo.edu/jaray

Email: jaray@semo.edu