What I need to know about essay 2

1. I need to know the specific cost of private schools
2. The specific tax dollars that go to public schools
3. The main differences between public and private schools
4. The main similarities between public and private schools
5. How the curriculum differs in both private and public schools 
6. Why uniforms are used in private schools
7. Are the teaching requirements for public and private schools different?

What I already know about essay 2

• Private schools are expensive (funded through tuition)
• Public schools are paid through taxes
• Religion is allowed in some private schools
• Uniforms are required for most private schools
• Public schools curriculum   is set by the state
• Private schools curriculum is made up by the teachers in the school 

Draft: The Praxis Test

Cassie Poindexter

Dr. Kenneth Kerr

EN 101

15 February 2013

The Praxis test

In todays society, the world is turing to standardized tests as a way to asses peoples knowledge in a specific field. Being an Educator is no different. The Educational Testing Service (EST) turns to a Praxis test to ensure that a hopeful future teacher has the skills required to make it in the field of education. Generally a Praxis test consist of the basic skills in reading, writing and mathematics (Praxis Overview). To guarantee a successful score of the praxis, it's important to be familiar with the history of the Praxis, the breakdown of the specific test that will be given and how to prepare for the Praxis exam.

   

"Approximately every 5–7 years, ASHA commissions a vendor to conduct an independent skills validation (practice analysis) study for each profession (audiology and speech-language pathology). Each practice analysis incorporates a multi-method approach that involves a number of independent expert panels and a large-scale survey of practitioners, educators, clinical supervisors, and clinic directors." Many people underestimate the amount of time that is put into the Praxis test. The people in charge could work on developing a well rounded test for an entire year. Members of the Praxis committee as well as certified experts in the core subjects sit down and developed the questions that are asked on the Praxis (About the Praxis Exam). On the road to erring a license in a teaching there are two main Praxis tests that could possibly be needed to get your license known as Praxis I exam and the Praxis II exam. The Praxis I test is more of a general test for all Education majors to take verses the Praxis II test is designed for specific ares such as special education (About the Praxis Series).

Although each Praxis test is very similar it does differentiate when it comes to specific areas of teaching. The standardized Praxis II test for special education is made up of about 110 multiple choice questions involving Human Growth and development, Knowledge of Disabling Conditions, Evaluation, Assessment, and Eligibility criteria, Planning and Service Delivery, Family and Community Aspects, and Professional Practice (Core Knowledge and Applications). Unlike a Praxis test for just general education, the special education test narrows in on specifics for the field. For example knowledge on the "impact of disabilities on individuals, families, and society across the life span" would not be beneficial for a normal teacher however its required for special educators (Core Knowledge and Applications). 

No matter what test a person will be completing, like any other test, its important to prepare for the Praxis exam in every way possible. Because the Praxis test is so unique when being compared to other standardized tests, it has its benefits when trying to prepare for it. One benefit  about the Praxis is that its made up of specific subjects like reading, math and writing. Its important to prioritize and study the subjects that are the hardest to understand. "Unlike many standardized tests, students are able to take the different portions of the Praxis exam separately" (5 Steps to Preparing for the Praxis Exam). There are also several different practice tests that can be taken in preparation for the Praxis Exam. Taking a test before you actually take the real test is the best way to prepare for an exam. Along with practice tests, there are Prep courses for the Praxis that would be beneficial to most. Finally because there is a specific score thats needed in each of the sections of the test in order to pass, its important to know the test specifications and scoring. The scoring requirements vary from state to state. Overall knowing the test layout and countless hours of study is important in order to succeed. 

The Praxis test is vidal to every future teachers life. Without it, its impossible to teach. If the test was not required anybody who aspired to be a teacher could do so. The quality of schools would raptly decrease and the quality of the education children received would be decline. It benefits the students, the school systems, and everybody's future in the long run. 

Outline for Essay 1

Praxis test for teaching license

I.                    Introduction

A.      What is a praxis test?

B.      Why is it required to get your license?

II.                  How the praxis test got started

A.      Who makes the exam

B.      How often is it updated

C.      Deciding what questions will be asked

III.                Praxis test break down for Special Education

A.      Different sections of the test

1.       Human Grown and development

2.       Knowledge of disabling conditions

3.       Evaluation, Assessment and Eligibility criteria

4.       Planning and Service Delivery

5.       Family and Community Aspects

6.       Professional Practice

B.      How the special education test compares to a standard education test

1.       Differences

2.       Similarities

IV.                How to prepare for a praxis test

A.      Be educated about the test format

1.       Multiple choice

B.      Take advantage of the practice praxis exam’s

a.       Different options

                                    1.      Prep course

                                    2.      Test preparation recourses

C.      Know your states requirements

D.      Once you pass the test, what’s next?

V.                  Conclusion

A.      Why a Praxis test is necessary in getting your teaching license

B.      Benefits

What I found out

What Are the Praxis I® Tests?

The Praxis I® Pre-Professional Skills Tests (PPST®) measure basic skills in reading, writing and mathematics and include multiple-choice questions and an essay question on the Writing test. The tests are designed to evaluate whether you have the academic skills needed to prepare for a career in education.

Who Takes the Tests and Why?

Colleges and universities may use the Praxis I tests to evaluate individuals for entry into teacher education programs. The assessments are generally taken early in your college career. Many states also require Praxis I scores as part of their teacher licensing process.

How Are the Praxis I Tests Given?

The Praxis I tests are delivered in both computer and paper formats. They are administered through an international network of test centers, which includes some universities, high schools, Prometric Testing Centers and other locations throughout the world.

• Computer-delivered tests are administered year-round by appointment. Some tests are offered continuously, others are offered during specific testing windows. Find computer-delivered test dates. Find computer-delivered test centers in your area.
• Paper-delivered tests are administered on pre-scheduled dates throughout the school year. Find paper-delivered test dates or paper-delivered test centers in your area.

Praxis™ tests are only given in English. If you are a test taker whose primary language is not English (PLNE), you may be eligible for extended testing time. Test takers who qualify for PLNE accommodations may take Praxis I tests on selected dates at pre-established test centers.

Which Tests Should I Take?

The test(s) you take depend(s) on your state or licensing agency's requirements for the teaching discipline you are pursuing. Each state or agency that uses the Praxis tests sets its own requirements for which tests you must take and the associated passing scores.
Before you register for a test, confirm your state or agency's testing requirements.

How Can I Prepare for the Tests?

Review the following materials to help you prepare for the Praxis I tests:
The Praxis Series™ Information Bulletin (PDF) — provides information on registration, test day procedures and score reporting.
Praxis test preparation materials — provide detailed study tools, including practice tests for Praxis I tests.

Should I Guess?

All test takers receive a score regardless of the number of questions answered or the type of test. Your score is based on the number of questions you answer correctly, with no penalty or subtraction for answering a question incorrectly. It is to your advantage to pace yourself so that you have enough time to carefully consider every question.
 http://www.ets.org/praxis/about/praxisi

What are the requierments in NORTH CAROLINA?

How to Qualify for Licensure:

For initial certification in North Carolina, all candidates (traditional and alternate routes) must:

• Complete a state-approved teacher education program.
• Pass the Praxis I® Pre-Professional Skills Tests (PPST®), if required.
• Pass one or more Praxis II® Subject tests for their certification area(s).

http://www.ets.org/praxis/nc

The break down for the Special Education praxis test:
I. Human Growth and development                            16 questions
II. Knowledge of Disabling Conditions                      12 questions
III. Evaluation, Assessment, and Eligibility
      criteria                                                                   16 questions
IV. Planning and Service Delivery                             17 questions
V. Family and Community Aspects                           21 questions
VI. Professional Practice                                            28 questions



1. Prioritize
Knowing that you have to take sections on multiple subjects, concentrate your studying efforts on mastering the sections you are naturally weakest on. If you are better with reading comprehension and writing, focus your studying on the mathematics section of the Praxis exam. By honing in on your weaknesses and preparing appropriately, you will be better able to handle the test as a whole.
This does not mean you shouldn’t study for the sections you are naturally better at, of course. But you must pass each section of the exam, so acing one and flunking another in hopes of the scores balancing out is not an option.
2. Take Sections Separately
Unlike many standardized tests, students are able to take the different portions of the Praxis exam separately. If you can fit it in your schedule and don’t mind stretching the process out over a longer period of time, consider taking the sections on different days. By doing this, you will be able to focus all of your efforts on one topic at a time. Naturally, being able to concentrate on one section will help you excel at it before moving on to the next topic and test question type.
3. Take Advantage of Practice Tests
Even if you don’t have the time as a full-time student to take a complete prep course, you should still take advantage of all of the test preparation resources made available to you, especially practice tests. There is no better way to feel out a rigorous standardized test than to take it as many times as possible in anticipation of the actual test day. Like riding a bike, you can’t expect to get it completely right the first time you try. Visit Test Prep Review for practice test materials.
4. Organize Your Time
This sounds obvious, but all too often students will pick a date and just assume that studying for a random amount of time each day leading up to it will be sufficient. This should not be the case. Gather all of your study materials and mark your calendar for specific study blocks that you can stick to. Schedule as many as necessary to allow yourself sufficient time to cover each section of the test and only after that should you select your test date. This strategy will ensure that you are scheduling the test according to your studying progress and not the other way around, which may lead to stressful cramming or, even worse, a lack of proper preparation.
5. Know the Test Specifications and Scoring
Simply knowing the topics covered is not enough to ace the Praxis test. You should be familiar with the details of each section, including time allotted, question type, scoring and more. All of these aspects will not only help you prepare for the Praxis exam, but help you feel confident that, once you’ve completed the test, you worked to its specifications and can rest assured there will be no surprises regarding your results. For details on how the Praxis exam is scored and how it breaks down, visit TAAG (Test at a Glance).
—


http://certificationmap.com/5-tips-to-preparing-for-the-praxis-exam/

How are the exams developed?

Approximately every 5–7 years, ASHA commissions a vendor to conduct an independent skills validation (practice analysis) study for each profession (audiology and speech-language pathology). Each practice analysis incorporates a multi-method approach that involves a number of independent expert panels and a large-scale survey of practitioners, educators, clinical supervisors, and clinic directors. This process can take up to 12 months to complete. The results of the practice analysis provide descriptive information about the tasks performed on the job and/or the knowledge, skills, and abilities believed necessary to perform those tasks by new graduates entering independent professional practice.
The study results, along with a review of practice-specific literature (e.g., scopes of practice, profession-specific practice policy guidelines and position statements, preferred practice patterns, and publications from related professional organizations) and widespread peer review by state licensure boards, academic programs, and related professional organizations, form the basis for an evaluation of current certification standards and any recommendation for change in the standards by ASHA's Council For Clinical Certification (CFCC).
The blueprint for the Praxis exams is derived from the ASHA certification standards which are reflective of the results of the comprehensive practice analysis study.
Standard setting studies are also performed periodically to evaluate each question for its relevance to a newly practicing clinician and to determine how many questions this individual must be able to answer correctly to pass the exam. ETS prepares a report for the CFCC along with a recommendation for a passing score. The CFCC considers the recommendation and then makes a final determination for the passing score.

http://www.asha.org/certification/praxis/overview/

What I need to Know about Essay 1

1. Salary for North Carolina school districts

2. How to be duel certified in Elementary education and Special education

3. Different teaching strategies that I could use in the classroom

4. What specific degree is needed for my profession (bachelors, etc.)

5. How to plan efficiently for a class

6. Praxis test details

7. What college is best for a special education degree

8. How to get a job in a school

9. Benefits for being a teacher

10. What curriculum are used for certain grades

Essay 1--What I know

1. You Need a college degree

2. You Need to be patient with your students

3. You Need to be open minded when teaching special needs children

4. You need to put time outside of your "scheduled" hours for your students

5. You Need to be able to work with your coworkers

6. You Need to pass a Praxis test

Careers im best sutied for

http://www.iseek.org/careers/clusterSurvey

The above link shows my results.

When I took my survey my top three careers Human Services, Education and Training, and Hospitality and Tourism. I plan on becoming a special education major. However there is a lot I'm not sure about and need to know before deciding for sure that its the career path I want to stick with.