Calculus FAQ
How will the students be assessed (tested)?
The students are assessed through a process known as Parallel Assessments. In this process,
the students are given the opportunity of three rounds of testing for each unit. Each
assessment is organized by objectives. Mastery is shown by getting a predetermined
number of questions correct in the objective. The required number of correct questions to
show mastery will be listed by the objective on each form of the assessment.
At the beginning of each unit, the students will receive a practice assessment known as a
preview. The preview has the same format as the unit assessment with problems that test the
same concepts at equal levels of rigor to the unit assessment. Prior to taking the first round
of the unit assessment, the students must complete the preview. The first round of the unit
assessment will be used by the students to identify areas in which he/she needs to improve
upon for the second round. The average score from the first round of the unit assessment will
be recorded as an informal grade.
Prior to taking round two of the unit assessment, the students must have completed the
preview and correct all missed problems on the first unit assessment as well as complete
corrective assignment #1. For both rounds one and two of the unit assessment, all questions
will be scored only as correct or incorrect (no partial credit).
Students who do not take round two of the unit assessment, do not show mastery on all of the
objectives on round two of the unit assessment or would like to improve their score in any of
the objectives can take round three of the unit assessment.
To take round three, the students must complete all of the requirements for round two of the
unit assessment as well as test corrections for round two and corrective assignment #2.
On round three of the unit assessment, partial credit can be earned when understanding of
the objective is evident but the answer is incorrect because of an error not related to a lack
of understanding.
The final score (grade) that is recorded for each objective is the highest score earned on
round two or three of the unit assessments. In other words, students who show mastery and
then try to improve their score will not earn less than what they already have earned if their
score does not improve or is lower. The final grade for each objective will be recorded as
formal grade.
On my wiki, there is a test calendar that I will update throughout the year.
This seems like a lot of testing. Why do you use Parallel
Assessments?
This process is based on research on how people learn and is the best system I have found
to support the students as they learn. The point of assessing the students is to record that
they have mastered the required objectives in Calculus so which round it occurs in is not
important. By using multiple rounds, the students have time to continue to work on
objectives when they aren’t at mastery level at first.
I have found that this system actually holds the students to a higher standard than in a more
traditional system of testing. In Parallel Assessments, the students must show mastery of
every objective as opposed to a more traditional testing system where the students could
earn a grade on a test that they were happy with even when they might have major gaps in
their understanding of Calculus.
What options do the students have if they need extra help?
My official tutoring time is Tuesday from 2:30 to 3:30 so I am available at that time. However,
I arrive at school each day at 6:45 so I can answer quick questions before school starts. Also,
I am often available after school on Mondays and Thursdays and am happy to help students
on these days as well.
What AP exam should my child take?
For students taking AB Calculus, they will sign up for the AB Calculus exam.
For students taking AB/BC, they have the following options:
1. Take the BC Calculus exam. Students who take this exam receive two scores, an
AB and a BC score. By receiving two scores, students can earn credit for AB
Calculus with a passing grade on their AB score even if they do not earn a
passing grade on the BC score.
2. Take the AB Calculus exam. Students who take only the AB exam will receive a
single score just for AB Calculus.
My child is in AB/BC, how does he/she decide which exam to take?
The AB/BC class prepares students to take the BC exam. However some students feel more
comfortable taking the AB exam. As we get closer to the February deadline to sign up for an
exam, the students will probably have a sense of which exam they feel most comfortable
taking. I can also help when a student is having a hard time deciding.