Exercises AssessmentCenter

5/20/2018 Exercises AssessmentCenter

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Assessment

Center ExercisesNational Board Certification

2012-2013

Connie Wolf, NBCT


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Better Teaching . . .

Better Learning


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Demonstrate Your

KnowledgeThe online assessment portion of the National BoardCertification process asks you to demonstrateyour content knowledgein response to 6exercises developed and designed by practicingprofessionals in your certificate area.

You will have up to 30 minutes to respond to each ofthe exercises at one of 200 testing sites in the

U.S. All responses are written at a computer usinga basic word processing format.


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Why are these exercises

part of the NBC process? Teacher content expertise is embedded

in the Five Core Propositions.

The National Board Certificationprocess samples teacher knowledgeacross six aspects of the contentreferenced in the certificate standards

around content.

Being an accomplishedteacher implies mastery of

relevant disciplinary content.


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5 Core Propositions

Teachers are committed to students and theirlearning

Teachers know the subjects they teach and how toteach those subjects to students

Teachers are responsible for managing andmonitoring student learning

Teachers think systematically about their practiceand learn from experience

Teachers are members of learning communities


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Assessment Center

Exercises1) Designed to assess fundamentalcontent knowledge that supportsquality instruction on a daily basis

o What do you know?o How do you apply this knowledge

to student learning?


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Assessment Center

Exercises2) Cover the entire developmental age rangeincluded in the certificate You areexpected to demonstrate knowledge of

appropriate content across the full range3) Can focus on any number of things

germane to the content knowledgeoutlined in the standards for a givencertificate area


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Assessment Center

Exercises4) May consist of 1 or more prompts orquestions designed to elicit evidence ofcontent knowledge

5) A scenario or student profile may bepresented for consideration before

responding to a set of prompts


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Assessment Center

Exercises6) May ask for a specific number ofexamples as part of the response.Candidates should only submit the

number requested because assessors aretrained to evaluate this number.

Assessors look for depth and quality,not quantity.


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When should you

schedule? When it is convenientbut choose and

confirm a date as soon as possible afterall your fees are paid. This helps set a

target for your preparation.

There is no advantage in waiting until yourportfolio is completed. Some teachers

prefer completing the AC exercises wellbefore the portfolio is due, finding thecontent review helpful as they create

lessons for their portfolios.


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AC CalendarAssessment Center Testing Window2011-2012 Candidates:

July 1, 2012thru

June 15, 2013


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Schedule EarlyMany other professions use thesetesting sites. Call early to make sureyou can schedule an appointment thatis convenient to you.

The testing centers are closed onseveral federal holidays.


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Before Scheduling

Receive your Authorization to Test form inthe mail

Verify that all information on your

Authorization to Test form is correct.

If you have a disability that necessitatesspecial accommodations under the ADA,submit the Nonstandard TestingAccommodation Form by January 31, 2013.


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Authorization to Test(Sample)


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Before Scheduling

Review all information and policiesoutlined in the Guide to National Board Certification Assessment Center Orientation Policy and

Guidelines

Submit fees and forms: First time candidates deadline: January 31,

2013 Retake Candidates deadline: December 31,2012
http://www.nbpts.org/UserFiles/File/51049_web.pdfhttp://www.nbpts.org/UserFiles/File/aco_policy.pdfhttp://www.nbpts.org/UserFiles/File/aco_policy.pdfhttp://www.nbpts.org/UserFiles/File/aco_policy.pdfhttp://www.nbpts.org/UserFiles/File/aco_policy.pdfhttp://www.nbpts.org/UserFiles/File/51049_web.pdf


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2 7

GUIDE TO

NATIONAL

BOARD

CERTIFICATION


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Scheduling an

Appointment To schedule your assessment center

appointment, please call:

The Pearson ProfessionalRegistration Center

1-888-288-3028


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Testing Sites


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4 Testing Sites in

WisconsinBrookfieldPearson Professional Centers-

Brookfield Bishops Court,Suite L10Bishops Woods Centre

Brookfield, WI 53005

Eau ClairePearson Professional Centers-

Eau Claire WI3610Oakwood Mall DriveSuite 102Eau Claire, WI 54701

MadisonPearson Professional Centers-

Madison WI8517 ExcelsiorDrivePrairie Trail Office Suites

II, Suite 105Madison, WI 53717

KenoshaPearson Professional Centers-

Kenosha WI7500 Green

Bay RoadJohnson Bank BuildingSuite 311Kenosha, WI 53142


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Additional Testing Sites

Nearby


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Where can you test?The Pearson Professional Centersonthe NBPTS.org website can help you

locate a testing center. Simply enteryour zip code to locate the closestcenter near you.


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ReschedulingIf you need to reschedule their appointment, you will becharged a $50 rescheduling fee

Cancellations - Please note that by canceling your appointment, you will alsorescind your eligibility for the testing in the year which you apply.

ReinstatementIf you miss or cancel your appointment, you will becharged a: $175 reinstatement fee (2007-2008 candidates) to reinstateyour candidacy.

Change of Specialty Area If you wish to change your certification area,you will be charged a $75 fee.

You must pay rescheduling feesimmediately after your appointment is

rescheduled

Changes to your

Appointment


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Preparing for the

AC Exercises


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Do you have to study? National Board standards support stayingcurrent in disciplinary knowledge, soprofessional reading for the Assessment

Center tests fits with this idea ofcontinuous growth in your practice.

It is likely that content review will behelpful for some of your AssessmentCenter exercises.


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What should you study? Textbook chapters (including student texts andteachers manuals)

Web resources, including content disciplineassociationswebsites Professional developmentbooks and journals

Resources recommended by colleaguesoftenthese are tried and true


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Prepare for Your

AppointmentGet Organized read the AssessmentCenter Orientation Policy and

Guidelinesfor policies, informationabout test day, and additionalinstructions for first-time, retake,music and world languagescandidates.
http://www.nbpts.org/UserFiles/File/aco_policy.pdfhttp://www.nbpts.org/UserFiles/File/aco_policy.pdfhttp://www.nbpts.org/UserFiles/File/aco_policy.pdfhttp://www.nbpts.org/UserFiles/File/aco_policy.pdfhttp://www.nbpts.org/UserFiles/File/aco_policy.pdfhttp://www.nbpts.org/UserFiles/File/aco_policy.pdf


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Download Your

Exercise DescriptionsThe assessment center componentprovides six exercises, each allowing

up to 30 minutes for candidateresponse. For a complete descriptionof each assessment center exercise,select your certificate area from thedrop-down menu.


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How to Prepare Create a notebook, file or other

organizational study system a section for eachexercise

Familiarize yourself with the computer

Gather the 6 AC exercises and the correspondinglevel 4 scoring rubrics

Review your standards

Unpackeach prompt


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Review Scoring GuideFor additional information you shouldalso read the Scoring Guidefor your

selected certificate. These guidescontain the rubrics that are used toscore assessment center exercisesand two retired prompts in yourcertificate area.
http://www.nbpts.org/for_candidates/scoringhttp://www.nbpts.org/for_candidates/scoring


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Use the Online tutorialLocate the Tutorial athttp://www.nbpts.org/tutorial

IntroductionTesting ToolsTaking the TestPost-test
http://www.nbpts.org/tutorialhttp://www.nbpts.org/tutorialhttp://www.nbpts.org/tutorial


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Assessment Exercise

WritingON DEMAND WRITING Read each descriptor carefully

scroll down to read all parts to thisexercise

Respond appropriately and focused to

all of the questions


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Assessment Exercise

Writing You do not need to write an essay youmay make bulleted lists (use * or >)

Dont go off on tangents stay focused

Quickly identify what is asked Think rapidly about your ideas and how to

organize them Write concisely

Assessors look for depth and quality, notquantity.


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Practice an ExerciseTry a sample assessment exercisein your certificate area. These

retired prompts can be found at:www.NBPTS.orgCandidate Resources

Scoring


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What kind of questions

do they ask? Assessment Center exercises focus on

themes, ideas and principles thatrepresent core concepts in a discipline.

For EA/Gen and MC/Gen candidates,the content often is inextricably linkedto pedagogiesthe knowledge of how toteach the concept isthe content.Assessment Center prompts do not

test recall of trivia or obscurecontent.


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Early Childhood Generalist Assessment ExercisePrompt (retired)Mathematics

IntroductionIn this exercise, you will use your knowledge of mathematicalconcepts and processes to apply these concepts to real-worldapplications. You will be asked to respond to 4 prompts.

Criteria for scoringTo satisfy the highest level of the scoring rubric you must provide

clear, consistent, convincing evidence of the following: A deep understanding of mathematical concepts and processes An accurate identification of the students

misconception/difficulty A well-developed instructional strategy or learning experience that

is clearly linked to real-world applications and appropriately

addresses the childs needs

Developmentally appropriate choice of materials to teach themathematical concept and a rationale for your choice of thesematerials.


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Early Childhood Generalist AssessmentExercise Prompt Example

A kindergarten child is having difficulty with a

math concept

Students were asked to mark an X oneach triangle.PROMPTS:1) Identify the studentmisconception/difficulty on this studentwork sample.

2) What fundamental concepts are prerequisite for students at this gradelevel in order to learn these skills?

3) Based on real-world application, state your goal for a learningexperience to help this student. Plan a learning experience based onthis goal that would further student understanding of thismathematical concept .

What materials would you use to teach this concept to this child.What is your rationale for your choice of materials?


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Who can help you

prepare? Preparing for the Assessment Center can be doneeffectively in groupsbut there are often singlecandidates who must prepare for a uniquecertificate area. These candidates can turn to

other teachers (not necessarily NBCTs) to helpthem think about likely questions, using theexercise descriptions.

Candidates sign a confidentiality agreement upon

taking the AC exercises. Protecting the integrityof the National Board process is a responsibilityfor all candidates as well as NBCTs. Please do not

divulge information about your actualAssessment Center prompts.


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Test Day

Arrive 30 minutes early to familiarize yourselfwith the testing centerYou will be asked to:

Surrender your Authorization to Test Show your valid photo ID

Sign a confidentiality statement Have your photo taken Leave your belongings in a secured locker Raise your hand at any time with problems or questions Scratch paper will be provided for your use during

exercises Sign in and out of the testing room whenever you leave


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Test Day Schedule(first-time candidates in most certificates)

Check in

15 minutes

Computer Tutorial

30

Exercises 1 - 3

90

Break

15

Exercises 4 - 6

90

TOTAL TIME:

4 hours


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What to Bring Your Authorization to Test The appropriate ID with your photo

bearing your signature - read theAssessment Center Orientation Policyand Guidelinesfor exact instructions

Sheet of bar code ID labels sent with yourAuthorization to Test if applicable
http://www.nbpts.org/UserFiles/File/aco_policy.pdfhttp://www.nbpts.org/UserFiles/File/aco_policy.pdfhttp://www.nbpts.org/UserFiles/File/aco_policy.pdfhttp://www.nbpts.org/UserFiles/File/aco_policy.pdfhttp://www.nbpts.org/UserFiles/File/aco_policy.pdf


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TIPS Practice your typing skills. You have only 30

minutes to write your answers to each

exercise

Read all parts of each exercise before youstart typing so you know what is expected inthe exercise

A clock on your computer screen will keep youaware of your time the clock never stops!


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MORE TIPS

The sample test items are just that. . . thereare specific questions that are quite differentthan those on the actual test.

Make sure that you cover all of the area andage groups that you are applying for in thetest. . . . if you don't teach that age group, talkto others who do to get ideas from them about

activities, characteristics of that age and whatworks and what doesn't.


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. . . AND MORE TIPS Prepare a study sheet for each exercise

Research what is current in your certificate area

Do your very best. These six exercises weigh6.67% each, or 40% of your total score.

Review your standards

this is what accomplishedteaching looks like in your area


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NBPTS Code of EthicsDo not discuss the contentsof your assessment

exercises with anyone


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What do other candidates say

about the AC Exercises? It helps to prepare, especially in areas where youfeel you may need shoring up.

Remember: each exercise is worth only a smallpercentage of your score. One weak AC exercisescore is not fatal. If you encounter somethingdifficult, dont let it derail you.

Preparing for the Assessment Center can actuallybe a great content review, and lead to a sense of

better preparation for teaching, as well as newideas for instruction.

Documents

Exercises AssessmentCenter