Issue #, Date
Education Society
Newsletter
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Goals of
EDUCATION
SOCIETY…
ENHANCE STUDENT
LEARNING
In this Newsletter…
Funny teacher stories, thoughts of
experienced educatiors, and Math
Diagnostics FAQs.
Before you get yourself in a bind, read this:
As Elementary and Early Childhood/Special Education Majors, you have
probably seen the e-mails regarding the Math Diagnostics and may have some of
the same questions or concerns addressed below.
All students need to complete the Math Diagnostic tests prior to reaching
thirty credits. If you have reached thirty credits, all three tests need to be
completed no later than July 20, 2012. At this point you will be evaluated to see
what your plans are and if the Education major is right for you. It is possible you
will be asked to declare an alternate major if the tests are not finished successfully
in the given timeline.
ENHANCE
PROFESSIONAL
GROWTH
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Issue #, Date
Topic of the Week:
Math Diagnostics
and PRAXIS
Testing.
Authors:
Newsletter Committee
FAQs
What is the purpose of the Math Diagnostics?
Math Diagnostics are designed to establish
proficiency in arithmetic and algebra before entering
a teacher preparation program. If weaknesses and
gaps are identified they can be addressed early on so
important elements of the program such as math
methods courses and student teaching are not
delayed.
Why do I have to take it if I won’t be teaching
arithmetic or algebra?
An effective teacher will be knowledgeable in all
subjects that he or she may be called upon to teach.
Even though you may intend to teach a particular
grade or subject, you should not assume you will not
be asked or needed in another grade or subject. As
Elementary and Early Childhood/Special Education
Majors, you are able to teach K- 8. This does not
mean you need to be an expert, but if you have a
solid understanding of all elementary subjects, you
will be prepared professionally and more effective in
helping your students make connections between
different subjects. One of the hardest things to teach
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students is how to make what they learn in school
applicable. So, the more connections students can
make, the more meaningful learning becomes.
Why don’t we take diagnostic exams for social
studies, reading, science, or other subjects we
may teach?
Answer to be forth coming.
As a transfer student I’ve already had these
classes or even higher math, why am I being
asked to take them?
Collaboratively, the Math and Education departments
agreed that it is important for all Elementary and Early
Childhood/Special Education Majors to demonstrate
proficiency of basic math skills that all applicants should
possess after graduating high school and upon entering
a teacher preparation course. Again, if these exams are
taken upon entering a program it will show where
weaknesses or gaps need to be addressed. The new
timeline upon which Math Diagnostics is set is to
enable smooth progression through teacher
preparation programs.
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Issue #, Date
“…to Inform,
Involve, and
Enlighten
Future
Educators.”
How do I prepare for the Math Diagnostics?
here are practice exams and tutors available. The
tutors for the Spring 2012 semester are Allison Lutz,
lut10001@byui.edu, and Natalie
Allen, ALL11008@BYUI.edu. To access the practice
exam, log on to I-Learn and select EDMATH under
your course list. This will open a screen with several
folders. The tutorial will help you understand how to
take the exam and enter answers. The PP1, PP2, and
PP3 folders are practice on particular principles that
may be on your exam. The practice exam folders
correspond with the Diagnostic test. For example,
practice exam 1 is practice for the Diagnostic 1 exam,
which covers arithmetic. If you review the materials
in PP1, PP2, and PP3 and do well on the practice
exams, you will be well prepared for the Math
Diagnostics. To take the actual exam, go to the
testing center.
If you have further questions or need more information on
the application process or Math Diagnostics exams you can
contact Brother Stanger stangerk@byui.edu or Brother
Johnstun johnstunm@byui.edu by e-mail or set up an
appointment through Sister Reed 208-496-4101 the
Education Department office assistant.
Comic Relief: A day in the life of a
teacher
I received this letter from a student one time when
teaching in a Junior High in Utah.
“I am sorry for shooting you in the head or back. I was
giving it to Jay and it flip off my fingers. Please do not
tell my Mom. I am sorry again. Please do not be mad
at me. Please do not give me a demerit. I better
watch the movie, so good-bye. I will not be here
tomorrow because of a doctor appointment”.
Turns out I was zinged with a rubber band earlier in
class from this student. – Brother Magleby
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Questions about
the PRAXIS?
Answers found here….
The Praxis exams must be
taken as early as possible, one
or two semesters before
student teaching. This leaves
time to retake the test if
necessary. The Praxis is
usually offered in September,
November, January, March,
April, June, and July but not all
exams are offered on all test
dates. Each student is
responsible for determining
the dates for the test they
wish to take. Students with
foreign language majors or
minors should plan more in
advance since their exams are
offered less often than other
majors.
To register for the Praxis II
exam go to…
http://www.ets.org/praxis/idaho.
At the top of the page, click the link
that says, “Register Now.” This will
take you to the registration page.
Fill in all personal information. Be
sure the name on your Driver’s
License matches the name you
register with. Select “K-12
Education.” Read the privacy policy
and Series Information, and click “I
Agree.” Next, you will see “Select a
Test.” In the pull down for
Certifying State or National Agency,
select “Idaho”. For the Select
Agency, select “Idaho State Dept
Education.”
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Issue #, Date
You will be given a list of all the
tests for Idaho. Select the ones
that are applicable to you. You
will be given a list of test dates.
Select the date you want. Enter
the Zip Code for the city in which
you will take the test. Make sure
you check all the dates; it is only
offered here at BYU-Idaho on
specific dates. Find the link that
says, “Find Your Attending
Institution By Name”. Type:
“Brigham Young University Idaho.”
You will be asked if you want to
send a score report to them;
select “Yes” and continue.
For Passing Score requirements,
select “Idaho” in the pull down.
Then select, “Idaho State Dept
Education.” To register for a
second or subsequent test click
“Yes”. When you are finished
registering for all the tests you
need, click “No”. You will go to a
background page. Fill it out
completely. You will be given the
option to purchase practice tests,
study guides, etc.
It is your decision to purchase or
decline the offer. You will be
given your list of choices for taking
the Praxis II exams you have
selected. Click “Proceed to
Checkout.” Enter your billing
information and complete the
order, then print your Admissions
Ticket.
What is the cost?
The registration fee is $50 and is
good for The Praxis II calendar
year (September 1-August 31). In
addition, you will have a fee for
each exam you take. The average
cost of each exam is $80. Exact
prices can be found online. There is
a “Fee Waivers” link that gives
students the opportunity to receive
help paying for the Praxis II, but
there is a set amount for each year,
so it is to your advantage to register
early.
What test do I sign up for?
We are not able to tell the students
which test to sign up for because of
liability. You will go to
http://www.ets.org/praxis/idaho.
Then you will click on the link that
says “Tests for their Certification
Areas.” It will come up with a few
categories; you will click on the
category that you fall under. Then
there will be a list of tests, and from
that list you will choose which tests
to take.
When should I take the Praxis?
They must be taken as early as
possible, more than one to two
semesters BEFORE student teaching.
Take it early enough so that there is
time to retake it if needed. It is
advised that you sign up for two
Praxis dates. That way, if taking the
exam a second time is needed you
will not have to pay a late
registration fee. If you pass the first
time, ETS will refund you for the
second date.
*All material taken from The
“Student Teaching Preparation
Packet” from the Field Services can
be accessed here at BYU-Idaho with
permission.
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Issue #, Date
(Continued)
Getting to know
your Teachers…
This week’s teacher:
Brother Magleby
Why did you choose to go
into teaching about
teaching?
“Well, I had been grad schools
for history education, but
found that I was frustrated
because no one would teach
me about how to teach.”
How do you motivate your
students?
“I motivate my students by
inviting them to learn. Brother
Wilson's talk from the April
2012 General Conference
discusses this principle of
invitation very well,
emphasizing that we cannot
control kids, but invite them to
learn for themselves. With an
invitation, they have the
agency and the choice to
learn.”
What advice do you have for
education students?
“Continually seek for a better way
to teach. This is a learning
profession. Don't be just content
with what is there, but learn to
find a better way to help others
understand. In our profession,
bringing just one soul to
understanding is not enough- we
desire for all to understand.”
What books would you
advise prospective teachers
to read?
“I would advise them to read a
book by David Perkins
titled Making Learning Whole.”
opportunities are lost when
controlling persons pridefully assume
they have all the right answers for
others…If we are going to help those
in our stewardship make the allimportant link with heaven, we must
be the kind of parent and leader
described in Doctrine and Covenants,
section 121. We must act ‘only by
persuasion, by long-suffering, by
gentleness and meekness, and by
love unfeigned.’” President Henry B.
Eyring has said, “Of all the help we
can give … young people, the greatest
will be to let them feel our
confidence that they are on the path
home to God and that they can make
it.'" We encourage you to read this
talk to learn more about adapting
and teaching to all types of learners.
Last Month’s Forum…
Calendar:
Brother Chris Wilson delivered a
forum on Multiple Intelligences to
the Education Society on June 14.
He spoke about how intelligence
and agency coincide. He also
addressed Howard Gardner’s
Theory of Multiple Intelligences.
Insights were referenced by the
talk, “Only Upon the Principles of
Righteousness” by Elder Larry Y.
Wilson which can be found here:
http://www.lds.org/general-conference/print/2012/04/only-upon-
Elder Larry
Y. Wilson shares neat insights in
that talk including: "We simply
cannot force others to do the
right thing. The scriptures make it
clear that this is not God’s way.
Compulsion builds resentment. It
conveys mistrust, and it makes
people feel incompetent. Learning
July 4th: Independence Day Holiday—No
Classes
July 10th: Last day to withdraw from all
Second Block classes and receive a “W”
grade and not the grade earned
July 18th: Last Day of Classes
July 19th-20th: Testing Days
July 20th: Last day to take Math Diagnostic
tests
the-principles-of-righteousness?lang=eng.
July 20th: Graduation Commencement and
Convocations
July 21st: Spring Semester officially ends
July 25th: Spring Semester grades due by
12:00 noon by the Faculty
July 26th: Spring semester grades available
to students online at my.byui.edu
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Issue #, Date
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