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The Early Math Placement Tool Articulating with High Schools about College Level Math Expectations. James Wollack UW-Madison. What is an Early Math Placement Test?. A shortened version of a math placement test, administered to HS juniors Purposes of EMPT
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The Early Math Placement ToolArticulating with High Schools about College Level Math Expectations James Wollack UW-Madison
What is an Early Math Placement Test? • A shortened version of a math placement test, administered to HS juniors • Purposes of EMPT • Improve the articulation with HS teachers, students, and parents about university-level math expectations • Increase number of students taking college-preparatory mathematics as Seniors • Improve overall math preparation of incoming college freshman • Reduce need for math remediation • Increase number entering with GER satisfied and ready to take first math class required for major
Why is Wisconsin EMPT unique? • Special relationship with UW MPT • EMPT is a homegrown statewide program serving Wisconsin’s 26 public universities and 14 technical colleges, partnered with a parallel MPT program used throughout the state. • Since 1978, faculty throughout UW-System have collaborated on the development of a System-wide math placement testing program. • 1 representative from each 4-year campus (13) • 1 representative from all 2-year campuses • 1 representative from Wisconsin High Schools • 1 psychometrician • UW-MPT is a testing program, not a static test.
EMPT and UW-MPT • The EMPT really is just a shortened version of the exact same test students will take upon admission to a UW-campus
History of EMPT Funding • From 1986-2002, the EMPT Program charged high schools $3 per student for the test. • Exam was P&P, and was proctored. • Program ran a deficit, and was subsidized by UW-Madison and the MATC. • In 2003, EMPT raised costs to $4 per student • Many schools dropped out, deficit increased, program died. • Ongoing funding for EMPT approved by legislature in 2008 State budget
Overview of New EMPT • Testing medium is flexible • P&P and Online available • Administrative conditions are flexible • Separate forms for proctored/unproctored • No cost to individual high schools • Funded for Statewide implementation
Communicating w/ Teachers about EMPT • EMPT is not intended to assess individual teacher quality • Teachers are bound by legislation to teach to state standards that are much broader than what is measured by the EMPT. • Teacher quality relates to the ability of the teacher to deliver the adopted curriculum. • The EMPT makes no effort to measure the integrity with which the curriculum was delivered.
Communicating w/ Teachers about EMPT • EMPT is not intended to assess the quality of the math curriculum • Evaluating the quality of the math curriculum requires a comparison of student outcomes with the goals and objectives of the HS math program (and/or those of stakeholders). • HSs need to appropriately teach many different types of students having very different needs and ambitions. • The EMPT does not measure the extent to which each of these different populations is well served by the curriculum.
Communicating w/ Teachers about EMPT • EMPT focuses squarely on the transition from high school to college math • It is an appropriate tool for evaluating the extent to which a HS curriculum adequately prepares students to transition to college-level math.
Comfort Through Control • The new EMPT is teacher-controlled • Teachers decide if (and how) their classes participate • Teachers register their own classes • Results are released to teachers only • EMPT does not provide school- or district-level data to school/district • Principals/School Boards/math coordinators cannot request results EMPT data/results are for teachers’ eyes only
EMPT Pilot Study • Target sizes for pilot • 25 Schools • 1,000 Students • Teacher recruitment • Twice gave a 15-minute presentation on EMPT at a high school math meet • Handed out flier at an information table at WI State Math Conference
EMPT Pilot Study • Actual numbers tested • 77 Schools • 217 Teachers • 565 Classrooms • 7,811 Students • Not one phone call was placed to recruit a school and only such one e-mail was sent to a high school • Students tested from January – June, 2009 • Most tested in March and April
