July 12, 2006 – The Human Resources Division of the Education Department is inviting teachers to participate in a standard setting study designed to evaluate and validate PRAXIS II content area examinations. Educational Testing Services (ETS) of Princeton, N.J. has been invited to the territory to administer the exams from Sept. 18-23.
PRAXIS II Examinations, approved by the United States Department of Education, are used to assess the subject area competence as stipulated in the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. Following the validation of the examination, teachers who do not possess a major or the number of instructional or content area credits as required by the Virgin Islands Board of Education may utilize this exam to become subject area qualified, according to a press release from Education.
Study dates have been scheduled for Sept. 19-22. The following tests are scheduled to be evaluated:
· Education of exceptional students: Core Content Knowledge
· Mathematics: Content Knowledge
· English Language, Literature and Composition: Content Knowledge
· General Science: Content knowledge
· Reading across the Curriculum: Elementary
· Social Studies: Content Knowledge
· Principles of Learning and Teaching: (K-6)
· Principles of Learning and Teaching (7-12)
· English to Speakers of other Languages
· Elementary Education: Content Knowledge
· School Leadership Assessment
Panels are scheduled for the following days:
· Tuesday, Sept. 19: [3 Panels] Education of Exceptional Students; Mathematics and English Language
· Wednesday, Sept. 20: [3 Panels] General Science, Reading across the Curriculum and Social Studies
· Thursday, Sept. 21: [3 Panels] Principles of Learning and Teaching (K-6), Principles of Learning and Teaching (7-12) and English to Speakers of other Languages
· Friday, Sept. 22: [2 Panels] Elementary Education: CK and School Leadership Assessment
· Teachers and administrators interested in taking part in this evaluation are asked to contact the Division of Human Resources at 773-1095 on St. Croix or at 774-0100 on St. Thomas. The territory requires the representation of a minimum of 110 teachers and administrators, combined, to sit on panels of 10-14 individuals which include administrators, teachers and content area teacher leaders. The venue will be announced at a later date.
