Liberal Arts and Science Test (LAST)

Transcription

1 Assessment I: Licensure Assessment Brief Description of Assessment and its Use in the Program Candidates wishing to teach children Birth - Grade 2 are required to pass The New York State Teacher Certification Examination (NYSTCE). This comprehensive exam is in three parts: the Liberal Arts and Science Test (LAST), the Assessment of Teaching Skills- Written (ATS-W) and the Content Specialty Test (CST).All those applying for NYS teacher certification must pass all three tests before they can be licensed to teach in the public schools of New York. If they do not receive a passing score, candidates must take the tests again until they achieve a Pass. ECEP has not given a specific timeline as to when the CST must be written and passed, and has not tied the granting of institutional recommendation for state certification to the passing of the NYSTCE. Therefore not all candidates attempt the examination prior to program completion. However, candidates entering the program as of fall 2009 will be required to take and pass the NYSTCE tests before they are granted institutional recommendation. Description and Use in ECEP Liberal Arts and Science Test (LAST) The LAST requires that examinees demonstrate conceptual and analytical skills, critical-thinking and communication skills, and multicultural awareness. The LAST covers scientific, mathematical, and technological processes; historical and social scientific awareness; artistic expression and the humanities; communication and research skills; and written analysis and expression. The exam consists of multiple choice questions and a written assignment. Most candidates take the LAST towards the end of their pedagogical studies or while finishing their student teaching practicum. Passing the exam is required by the New York State Department of Education (NYSDOE) as part of the certification requirements to ensure minimum competencies in the liberal arts and sciences. How this Assessment Aligns with the NAEYC Standard it is cited for in Section III LAST topics NAEYC Standards Scientific, Mathematic, & Technical Processes Historical & Social Scientific Awareness Artistic Expression & the Humanities Communication & Research Skills 4D Written Analysis & Expression 4D

2 Brief Analysis of the Data How the Data provides Evidence for meeting the Standards The overall passing rate of candidates on the LAST was 96%. LAST CSI All CUNY N % N % All N Institutions % Min., Mean, and Max. Liberal Arts and Sciences Test Scores for Academic Year Total Score Sub-Area 1: Scientific, Mathematic, & Technical Processes Sub-Area 2: Historical & Social Scientific Awareness Sub-Area 3: Artistic Expression & the Humanities Sub-Area 4: Communication & Research Skills Sub-Area 5: Written Analysis & Expression Min. Score 204 Mean Score Max. Score 295 Min. Score 191 Mean Score Min. Score 190 Mean Score Max. Score 288 Min. Score 202 Mean Score Min. Score 154 Mean Score Max. Score 288 Min. Score 140 Mean Score

3 Assessment of Teaching Skills- Written (ATS-W) Description and Use in ECEP The Early Childhood version of the ATS W measures professional and pedagogical knowledge in the following areas: knowledge of the learner, instructional planning and assessment, instructional delivery, and the professional environment. The test consists of multiple-choice questions and one written assignment. This written assignment suggests the candidate s understanding of student development, instructional planning and assessment, instructional delivery, and reflective and collaborative professionalism. NYSDE requires that all childhood teacher candidates achieve a total score of on pedagogical knowledge in the ATS-W test. How this Assessment Aligns with the ACEI Standard it is cited for in Section III ATS-W Areas NAEYC Standards Student Development 5 Instructional Planning 4 Instructional Delivery 4 Assessment 4 Professional Environment 5 Written Analysis & Expression 4 & 5 Brief Analysis of the Data How the Data Provides Evidence for Meting the Standards The overall passing rate of candidates on the ATS-W was 97%. ATS/Elem CSI All CUNY N % N % All N Institutions %

4 Min., Mean, and Max. Assessment of Teaching Skills - Written (Elementary) Scores for Academic Year Total Score Min. Score 215 Mean Score Max. Score 286 Sub-Area 1: Student Development Min. Score 227 Mean Score Max. Score 291 Sub-Area 2: Instructional Planning, Assessment, and Delivery Sub-Area 3: Professional Environments Min. Score 209 Mean Score Max. Score 294 Min. Score 176 Mean Score Sub-Area 4: Written Analysis/Expression Min. Score 140 Mean Score Description and Use in ECEP Content Specialty Test (CST) The CST is an assessment required by the NYSDOE as part of the certification process. It ensures that all early childhood school teachers have at least the minimum competencies in the content areas taught in the early childhood school curriculum. The CST measures knowledge and skills in the content area of the candidate s field of certification. Total test score on the CST is reported as a scaled score in a range of 100 to 300. A scaled score of 220 represents the minimum passing score. The minimum passing score was established by the New York State Commissioner of Education. The subarea scores are also reported in a range from 100 to 300, but a candidate does not pass or fail a subarea. The total score is not the average of the subarea performance results. Because subareas of the test may contain different numbers of questions it is not possible to average performance results to arrive at the total test score. Subareas with more

5 objectives have more multiple-choice questions on the test. The score report indicates a range for the number of questions in each multiple-choice subarea. Alignment with Specific ACEI Standards: CST Area English Language Arts Mathematics Science and Technology Social Studies Fine Arts Health and Fitness Family and Consumer Science and Career Development Foundations of Reading Constructed Response NAEYC Standards Analysis of Data Findings: Interpretation of How Data provides Evidence for Meeting Standards: The overall passing rate of candidates on the CST was 83%. The above rate of passing exceeds the NCATE/ACEI guidelines of 80%. Multi- Subj CST CSI All CUNY N % N % All N Institutions %

6 Min., Mean, and Max. Multi-Subject Content Specialty Test Scores for the Undergraduate Early Childhood Program in Academic Year Total Score Sub-Area 1: English Language Arts Sub-Area 2: Mathematics Sub-Area 3: Science and Technology Sub-Area 4: Social Studies Sub-Area 5: Fine Arts Sub-Area 6: Health and Fitness Sub-Area 7: Family, Consumer Science, & Career Development Sub-Area 8: Foundations of Reading Min. Score 213 Mean Score Max. Score 283 Min. Score 206 Mean Score Min. Score 188 Mean Score Min. Score 193 Mean Score Min. Score 162 Mean Score Min. Score 154 Mean Score Min. Score 190 Mean Score Min. Score 129 Mean Score Min. Score 140 Mean Score