ACTION IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS

1. ACTION IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS TEXAS HIGHER EDUCATION ASSESSMENT Presentation provided by UTPB West Texas Literacy Center an HSI funded program. HSI is a federally funded program granted by the Department of Education Title V programs. Developed by: Ana Miller, M.A.. Ed., Reading Specialist

2. THEA OVERVIEW • Purpose -To assess reading, mathematics, and writing skills that entering freshmen-level students should have if they are to perform effectively in undergraduate certificate or degree programs in Texas public colleges and universities. • Developed in place of TASP • Determines placement in developmental Math, Reading, and Writing courses

3. DEVELOPMENTAL COURSES • Purpose-To provide unprepared students with the assistance needed to build reading, math, and writing skills to a level sufficient for college success • Universities may place students in Developmental Reading, Math, and/or Writing courses, based on test scores-THEA, SAT, ACT, ASSET, COMPASS, ACCUPLACER, or a university placement test • Result of the Texas Success Initiative statute and regulations • Credit hours do not count toward a degree plan

4. WHO SHOULD TAKE THE THEA? • Students entering a Texas public college or a university, before enrolling in any college-level coursework • Texas high school students planning to enroll in college courses that count for both high school and college credit under dual credit/concurrent enrollment programs

5. THEA EXEMPTIONS • ACT – Composite score of 23 or higher AND individual Math and English scores of no less than 19 • SAT – Composite score of 1070 or higher AND individual Math and Verbal scores of no less than 500 • TAKS Exit Level – No lessthan 2200 scale score on all portions, with a minimum of a 3 on the Essay Test

6. THEA FORMAT • MATH • READING • WRITING • FIVE HOUR TEST

7. READING SELECTION DESCRIPTIONS • General Description • Represent a variety of subject areas • Similar to first year college text • Seven reading passages of 300-750 words each • Approximately 40 multiple-choice questions • 4 Answer choices for each question • Standard Passing Score 230

8. THEA READING SKILLS • Determine the meaning of words and phrases • Understand the main idea and supporting details in written material • Identify a writer’s purpose, point of view, and intended meaning (inferences) • Analyze the relationship among ideas in written material • Use critical reasoning skills to evaluate written material • Apply study skills to reading assignments

9. SKILL DESCRIPTION - 1 • Determine the meaning of words and phrases • Use of context clues to determine meaning of words and phrases that • Are multiple meaning words • Are unfamiliar and uncommon – such as content area terms(Science, History, Government…) • Contain affixes – prefixes and suffixes • Contain figurative expressions

10. SKILL DESCRIPTION - 2 • Understand the main idea and supporting details in text • Identifying explicit (stated) and implicit (implied) main ideas • Recognizing ideas that support, illustrate, or elaborate the main idea

11. SKILL DESCRIPTION - 3 • Identify a writer’s purpose, point of view, and intended meaning • Recognize a writer’s expressed or implied purpose for writing • Evaluating the appropriateness of written material for a specific purpose or audience • Recognizing the likely effect that a writer’s choice of words would have on an audience • Using the content, word choice, and phrasing of a passage to determine a writer’s opinion or point of view

12. SKILL DESCRIPTION - 4 • Analyze the relationship among ideas in text • Identify sequence of events or steps in a process • Identify cause-effect relationships • Compare and contrast – Analyze similarities and differences • Identify problem and solution relationships • Draw conclusions inductively and deductively from stated or implied information

13. SKILL DESCRIPTION - 5 • Use critical reasoning skills to evaluate text • Evaluate the validity of the writer’s stated and implied assumptions and arguments • Judge the relevance or importance of facts, examples, or graphic data presented to support the writer’s argument • Evaluate the logic of the writer’s argument • Distinguish between facts and opinions • Assess the writer’s or a source’s credibility or objectivity • Evaluate the validity of analogies

14. SKILL DESCRIPTION - 6 • Apply study skills to reading assignments • Organize and summarize information for study purposes • Follow written instructions or directions • Interpret information presented in charts, graphs, or tables

15. THEA MATH SKILLS • Fundamental Math • Algebra • Geometry • Word Problems • Approximately 50 multiple-choice questions • Passing standard score - 230

16. Fundamental Mathematics • Integers and Real Numbers • Fractions • Exponents • Order of Operations • Decimals • Percentages • Radicals • Averages

17. Algebra • Operations with Polynomials • Simplifying Algebraic Expressions • Linear Equations • Two Linear Equations • Quadratic Equations • Absolute Value Equations • Inequalities • Ratios and Proportions

18. Geometry • Points, Lines, and Angles • Regular Polygons • Triangles • Quadrilaterals • Circles • Solids • Coordinate Geometry

19. Word Problems • Algebraic • Rate • Work • Mixture • Interest • Discount • Profit • Sets • Geometry • Measurement • Data Interpretation • Combination of Mathematical Skills

20. YOU NEED TO KNOW THAT: • Necessary formula sheets are provided • Examinees may use a 4-function (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) calculator with square root and percent keys • BE SURE TO USE THE FORMULA SHEETS!!!

21. WRITING SKILLS • Two Writing Components-Multiple Choice • Elements of Composition • Sentence Structure, Usage, and Mechanics • Approximately 40 multiple-choice questions • Passing standard score – 220 • Writing Sample-300-600 word essay • Passing standard score- 6 or above, regardless of performance on the multiple-choice items • Score of 4 or below is failing, regardless of performance on the multiple-choice items • With a score of 5, 70% of the multiple-choice items must be answered correctly to pass the Writing Section

22. Elements of Composition • Recognize purpose and audience • Recognize unity, focus, and development in writing • Recognize effective organization in writing

23. Sentence Structure, Usage, and Mechanics • Recognize effective sentences • Recognize edited American English usage

24. Writing Sample • Appropriateness-Audience, purpose, occasion • Unity and Focus-Maintain main idea or point of view • Development-Amount, depth, specificity of supporting details • Organization-Clarity, logical sequence • Sentence Structure • Usage • Mechanical Conventions-Capitalization, punctuation, spelling

25. TEST TAKING PREPARATION • Gain access to a THEA study guide. • Take the diagnostic test. • Note your weak areas. • Write a study plan and follow it. • Start reviewing for the test well ahead (6-8 weeks) of your scheduled test date, depending on your diagnostic test results. • This reviewing is intended to refresh your memory of the skills you have already been exposed to over the years. • Avoid cramming – Cramming two or three days before the exam will probably not help your test performance. The tested skills represent those that you have learned over many years.

26. STUDY GUIDES • Official THEA Test Study Guide - $16 • www.thea.nesinc.com • Barron’s How to Prepare for the THEA 4th ed. • McCune, Wright, Elder • ISBN: 0-76412846-9 • $16.95 (Available at Hastings) • The Best Test Preparation for the THEA • Conner, Chadwick-Joshua, Parks, Truscott, Wajingurt • ISBN:0-7386-0037-7 • $21.95 (Available at Hastings)

27. THEA Paper-and-Pencil Test • Scheduled tests offered five times a year at 120 sites (Colleges and Universities) across Texas • www.thea.nesinc.com • Registration Deadlines and Test Dates • May 18, 2007 June 16, 2007 • June 29, 2007 July 28, 2007 • Test Results: 2-5 weeks • $29

28. THEA Quick Test • Same as THEA paper-and-pencil test • Offered by many colleges, universities, and high schools • Testing schedule determined by the institution • Test Results: 1-2 weeks

29. THEA Quick Test • Offered at UTPB PASS Office MB1160 • Call 552-2630 to make appointment at least one day in advance of test date • Test Times • Monday-Thursday 9am or 2pm • Friday-9am • Saturday-10am • $39 - $29 check or money order $10 cash for mailing and processing fees

30. TEST DAY • Eat before the test. • Dress comfortably in layers. • Wear soft-soled shoes to help maintain a quiet testing environment. • Report promptly.

31. GENERAL TEST TAKING STRATEGIES • Follow directions carefully. • Raise your hand and ask questions if you do not understand any part of the directions. • Pace yourself – you have five hours. • Three sections during one test administration –approximately 135 multiple-choice questions and one writing sample. • Most examinees should set aside at least one hour to complete the writing sample.

32. GENERAL TEST TAKING STRATEGIES • Make notes and marks in your test booklet. • Guess wisely – Eliminate responses that are clearly incorrect to increase your odds of selecting the correct response. • Use any time left at the end of the session to check the accuracy of your answers and your answer document. • All answers and writing sample must be written in your answer document.

33. RETAKING THEA • ONLY if student’s initial scores: • Reading below 201 • Math below 206 • Writing below 205 • Can retake the sections not passed • If taking the THEA Quick Test, must wait 30 days before retesting

34. PRACTICE THEA TEST • Wednesday, May 30, 2007 • 8:45am-2pm (May leave when finished with test) • UTPB Library foyer • No Cost • Registration form due: • Wednesday, May 2 • Senior Counselor’s Office

35. PRACTICE THEA RESULTS • Tuesday, June 5, 2007 • 9am or 2pm • UTPB Library foyer

36. PRACTICE THEA TEST • Diagnostic Tool • Three Categories of Examinees • Based on each section test results • Math, Reading, Writing • 90%+ Correct: 1-2 week review, THEA test • 80%-89% Correct: 3-4 week review, THEA test

37. UTPB THEA PREP PROGRAM • 79% or below • Opportunity to attend a 4 day, 3-hour per day THEA Preparation Program • Monday, June 18-Thursday, June 21 • Reading/Writing 9am-12pm Ana Miller • Math 1pm-4pm Jill Miller • Registration form due Friday, June 8 by 5pm to UTPB Literacy Center MB 4180 • Must attend the 4 days • Attend only the subject sessions for which you qualify • No cost

38. ACTION = • USE A STUDY GUIDE • CREATE A STUDY PLAN • FOLLOW THE PLAN • TAKE THE THEA DURING THE SUMMER • General Information Handouts (White Sheets) • Registration Forms for Practice THEA (Colored Sheets)

39. References • McCune, S., Wright, N., Elder, J. (2004). How to prepare for the THEA. NY: Barron’s. • Trochim, W. K. (2006). Research methods knowledge base.http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/dedind.php • REA The Best Test Preparation for the THEA (2004). New Jersey: REA. • THEA Faculty Manual. NES, Inc. (2006).