EARLY CHILDHOOD BLOCK
Praxis II Seminar
Spring 2013
Praxis II Exam
The Praxis II exam is required for teacher certification by Mo. Dept. of Elem. & Sec. Education (DESE).
You should take the Praxis II at the end of Block III or the beginning of student teaching. Do not take it before Block III.
This website has important information for you:
http://www.semo.edu/eese/praxis2.htm
Praxis II ExamWhat test should you take?
Early Childhood majors(Birth – 3rd grade certification):
Education of Young Children Test Code 0021 – Paper Test Code 5021 – Computer
Qualifying score: 166
Praxis II ExamWhat test should you
take?
Early Childhood majors, adding Elem. Educ.(Birth – 6th grade certification):
To be “highly qualified” to teach 4th – 6th grades, you must have a qualifying score on
Elementary Education: Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
Test Code 0011 - Paper Test Code 5011 – ComputerQualifying score: 164
MO Dept. of Elem. & Sec. Education Teacher Certification
Changes
Praxis II discontinued New MO Content Exam: Fall 2014
Taken end of junior year Must pass each subtest area
New MO Performance Assessment: Fall 2014 Replaces Teacher Work Sample Externally scored
Where do you find out information about your Praxis II
test?
Test at a Glance (TAAG) Number of questions, format, and
weighting of scores Content categories Sample test questions http://www.ets.org/Media/Tests/PR
AXIS/pdf/0021.pdf
Education of Young Children exam
90 multiple choice questions (80% of test weight)
3 short constructed-response questions (20% of text points)
2 hour time limit
Education of Young ChildrenMultiple choice test categories
and number of questions
Early Childhood Development: 16 Teaching and Supporting Diverse Children: 14 Creating a Developmentally Appropriate
Learning Environment: 17 Teaching and Learning: 22
Instructional Process Content Knowledge Assessment
Professionalism, Family, and Community: 21
Education of Young ChildrenConstructed response test categories and number of
questions
Demonstrating Knowledge of Teaching : 3 constructed-response Teaching and supporting diverse
children or Creating a developmentally appropriate learning environment
Relationships with Families or Professionalism
Assessment, Curriculum, or Instruction
Education of Young ChildrenSample Multiple Choice Question
Ms. Craig asks her students to write the word sailboat. Levi spells the word PKLLEEP. At which of the following levels is Levi spelling?
A. Transitional B. Conventional C. Pre-phonemic D. Phonemic
Education of Young ChildrenSample Multiple Choice Question
Ms. Craig asks her students to write the word sailboat. Levi spells the word PKLLEEP. At which of the following levels is Levi spelling?
A. Transitional B. Conventional C. Pre-phonemic D. Phonemic
Education of Young ChildrenSample Multiple Choice Question
Which of the following early childhoodprograms was launched in 1965 in an effort
to give economically disadvantaged children advanced preparation for the intellectual and social challenges of elementary school?A. High / ScopeB. MontessoriC. Bank Street ModelD. Project Head Start
Education of Young ChildrenSample Multiple Choice Question
Which of the following early childhoodprograms was launched in 1965 in an effort
to give economically disadvantaged children advanced preparation for the intellectual
and social challenges of elementary school?A. High / ScopeB. MontessoriC. Bank Street ModelD. Project Head Start
Education of Young ChildrenSample Multiple Choice
Question
Which of the following descriptions of physical development is typical for a 6 yr. old child? A. Walks on tiptoe, begins to skip, draws in
circular motions Gallops, able to draw designs, including
letters Likes to skip, somersault, copy designs,
including letters Stands on tiptoe, kicks ball forward, able to
screw and unscrew lids
Education of Young ChildrenSample Multiple Choice
Question
Which of the following descriptions of physical development is typical for a 6 yr. old child?A. Walks on tiptoe, begins to skip, draws in circular motionsB. Gallops, able to draw designs, including lettersC. Likes to skip, somersault, copy designs, including lettersD. Stands on tiptoe, kicks ball forward, able to screw and unscrew lids
Multiple Choice Test Taking Tips
Read carefully Underline important details Determine WHAT the question is
asking Eliminate the obvious wrong answers
to determine the “best answer” “Least” “Not” and “Except” are key
words that ask for a choice that doesn’t fit
Education of Young ChildrenSample Constructed Response
Question Part A: The parents of your kindergarten
students will be coming into your room for parent/teacher conferences. List FOUR materials that the parents would see in a learning center that will promote visual and auditory skills related to reading.
Part B: Based on principles of child development and learning, explain how each of these chosen materials will foster a child’s visual and auditory skills related to reading.
Education of Young ChildrenSample Constructed Response
Question
You are planning an integrated unit on plants and seeds for the diverse learners in your first-grade class.Part A: Describe one developmentally appropriate, plant-related activity that integrates the following disciplines:
Science Language arts Mathematics
Part B: Describe the conceptual understanding the activity will address in each content area.
Elementary Education Exam
110 multiple choice questions
2 hour time limit
http://www.ets.org/Media/Tests/PRAXIS/pdf/0011.pdf
Elementary Education Exam
Topics and Questions
Reading and Language Arts – 38 Mathematics - 22 Science - 11 Social Studies - 11 Arts and Physical Education - 11 General Info: Curriculum,
Instruction, and Assessment - 17
Praxis II exam Qualifying Score
The MO Dept. of Elem. & Sec. Ed sets this qualifying score:
Education of Young Children – 166 National median score: 183 Southeast median score: 187.45 (2010-
2011) Southeast Score Range in 2011-2012: 150 - 196 Southeast Early Childhood program: 100% pass rate (2006 – 2010), 97.5%
(2010-2011), 95.24% (2011-2012)
Preparing for Praxis II: Study Suggestions
Use all of the preparation materials available!
http://www.ets.org/praxis/prepare/materials/0021 Free study guides: Tests at a Glance Purchase study guide (eBook - $22.95) Organize a study group. Develop a Study Plan Review your notes from any classes
related to test topics.
Preparing for the Praxis II:Final Suggestions
Take a sample test – decide how to pace yourself.
Don’t try to cram– start preparing early!
Finish your review a few days before the test.
Look over checklist “Are You Ready?” Rest well the night before the test.
Questions? This power point presentation is
available on Dr. Ray’s websites: http://cstl-coe.semo.edu/jaray
Email: [email protected]