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| About This Book | |
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| If you���re looking to secure certification as an elementary teacher, you���ll find that many states require the Praxis II: Elementary Education: Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment (0011/5011) test. Think of this book as your toolkit to pass the test | |
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| Deciding to pursue a teaching career already speaks volumes about you. You would not have gotten to this point without being highly motivated and able to synthesize considerable amounts of information. But, of course, it���s a different matter when you have to show what you know on a test. That���s where we come in. We���re here to help take the mystery and anxiety out of the process. We���re here to equip you not only with the nuts and bolts, but, ultimately, the confidence to succeed alongside your peers across the United States | |
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| We���ve put a lot of thinking into this, and the result is a book that pulls together all the critical information you need to know to pass the Praxis Elementary Education 0011/5011 Test | |
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| Let us help you fill in the blanks—literally and figuratively!—while providing you with the touchstones that will allow you to do your very best come test day and beyond | |
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| In this guide, REA offers our customarily in-depth, up-to-date, objective coverage, with test-specific modules devoted to targeted review and realistic practice exams complete with the kind of detail that makes a difference when you���re coming down the homestretch in your preparation. We also include a quick-view answer key and competency-categorized progress chart to enable you to pinpoint your strengths and weaknesses | |
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| About the Praxis Series | |
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| Praxis is Educational Testing Service���s (ETS) shorthand for Professional Assessments for Beginning Teachers. The Praxis Series is a group of teacher licensing tests that ETS developed in concert with states across the nation. There are three categories of tests in the series: Praxis I, Praxis II and Praxis III. Praxis I includes the paper-based Pre-Professional Skills Tests (PPST) and the Praxis I Computer-Based Tests (CBT). Both versions cover essentially the same subject matter. These exams measure reading, mathematics, and writing skills and are often a requirement for admission to a teacher education program | |
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| Praxis II embraces Subject Assessment/Specialty Area Tests, including the Praxis II Elementary Education series, of which the Praxis II 0011/5011 exam is a part. The Praxis II examinations cover the subject matter that students typically study in teacher education courses—such content as human growth and development, school curriculum, methods of teaching, and other professional development courses. In most teacher-training programs, students take these tests after having completed their classroom training, the course work, and practicum. Praxis III is different from the multiple-choice and essay tests typically used for assessment purposes. With this assessment, ETS-trained observers evaluate an instructor���s performance in the classroom, using nationally validated criteria. The observers may videotape the lesson, and other teaching experts may critique the resulting tapes | |
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| The Praxis II 0011/5011 covers the content areas of reading and language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies, arts and physical education and general information about curriculum and instruction | |
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| Who Takes the Test? | |
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| Most people who take the Praxis II 0011/5011 are seeking initial licensure. You should check with your state���s education agency to determine which Praxis examination(s) you should take; the ETS Praxis website (www.ets.org/praxis/) and registration bulletin may also help you determine the test(s) you need to take for certification | |
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| You should also consult your education program for its own test requirements. Remember that colleges and universities often require Praxis examinations for entry into programs, for graduation, and for the completion of a teacher certification program. These requirements may differ from the baseline requirements the state has for teacher certification. You will need to meet both sets of requirements | |
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| When Should I Take the Test? | |
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| The Praxis II 0011/5011 is a test for those who have completed or almost completed their teacher education programs. Each state establishes its own requirements for certification; some states specify the passing of other tests. Some states may require the test for initial certification; other states may require the test for beginning teachers during their first months on the job. Generally, each college and university establishes its own requirements for program admission and for graduation. Some colleges and universities require certain tests for graduation and/or for completion of a teacher education program. Check with your college and the state teacher certification agency for details | |
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| When and Where Can I Take the Test? | |
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| ETS offers the Praxis 0011/5011 seven times a year at a number of locations across the nation. The usual testing day is Saturday, but examinees may request an administration on an alternate day if a conflict—such as a religious obligation—exists | |
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| How Do I Get More Information on the ETS Praxis Exams? | |
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| To receive information on upcoming administrations of the Praxis II 0011/5011 test or any other test consult the ETS registration bulletin or website. Contact ETS at | |
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| Educational Testing Service Teaching and Learning Division P.O. Box 6051Princeton, NJ 08541-6051 Phone: (609) 771-7395 Website: www.ets.org/praxis E-mail: www.ets.org/praxis/contact/email_praxis (use the online form) | |
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| Special accommodations are available for candidates who are visually impaired, hearing impaired, physically disabled, or specific learning disabled. For questions concerning disability services, contact | |
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| ETS Disability Services: (609) 771-7780 TTY only: (609) 771-7714 | |
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| Provisions are also available for examinees whose primary language is not English. The ETS registration bulletin and website include directions for those requesting such accommodations | |
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| You can also consult ETS with regard to available test sites; reporting test scores; requesting changes in tests, centers, and dates of test; purchasing additional score reports; retaking tests; and other basic facts | |
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| Is There a Registration Fee? | |
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| To take a Praxis examination, you must pay a registration fee, which is payable by check, money order, or with American Express, Discover, MasterCard, or Visa credit cards. In certain cases, ETS offers fee waivers. The registration bulletin and Web site give qualifications for receiving this benefit and describe the application process. Cash is not accepted for payment | |
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| Can I Retake the Test? | |
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| Some states, institutions, and associations limit the number of times you can retest. Contact your state or licensing authority to confirm their retest policies | |
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| How to Use This Book | |
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| What Do I Study First? | |
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| Read over REA���s subject reviews and suggestions for test taking. Studying the reviews thoroughly will reinforce the basic skills you will need to do well on the exam. Make sure to do the practice questions in this book so that you will be familiar with the format and procedures involved with taking the actual test | |
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| When Should I Start Studying? | |
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| It is never too early to start studying; the earlier you begin, the more time you will have to sharpen your skills. Do not procrastinate! Cramming is not an effective way to study because it does not allow you the time needed to learn the test material | |
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| About Computer-Based Testing | |
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| The test numbered 5011 is offered only on computer at flexible times and locations throughout the year. Minimal computer and typing skills are required to complete the computer-based tests. You need to be comfortable with a Windows environment, using a mouse (including clicking, double-clicking, dragging, and scrolling), and typing at a rate that will allow you to complete the assignment in the allotted time (approximately 30 words per minute). In computer-based testing, examinees complete the tests by selecting answers on-screen to multiple-choice questions | |
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| Score Reporting | |
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| When Will I Receive My Examinee Score Report and in What Form Will It Be? | |
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| ETS mails test-score reports six weeks after the test date. There is an exception for computer-based tests and for the Praxis I examinations. Score reports will list your current score and the highest score you have earned on each test you have taken over the last 10 years | |
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| Along with your score report, ETS will provide you with a booklet that offers details on your scores. For each test date, you may request that ETS send a copy of your scores to as many as three score recipients, provided that each institution or agency is eligible to receive the scores | |
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| Studying for the Praxis II 0011/5011 | |
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| It is critical to your success that you study effectively. Throughout this guide you will find Praxis Pointers that will give you tips for successful test taking. The following are a few tips to help get you going | |
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| Choose a time and place for studying that works best for you. Some people set aside a certain number of hours every morning to study; others may choose to study at night before retiring. Only you know what is most effective for you | |
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| Use your time wisely and be consistent. Work out a study routine and stick to it; don���t let your personal schedule interfere. Remember, seven weeks of studying, is a modest investment to put you on your chosen path | |
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| Don���t cram the night before the test. You may have heard many amazing tales about effective cramming, but don���t kid yourself: most of them are false, and the rest are about exceptional people who, by definition, aren���t like most of us | |
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| When you take the practice tests, try to make your testing conditions as much like the actual test as possible. Turn off your television, radio, and telephone. Sit down at a quiet table free from distraction | |
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| As you complete each practice test, score your test and thoroughly review the explanations to the questions you answered incorrectly | |
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| Take notes on material you will want to go over again or research further | |
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| Keep track of your scores. By doing so, you will be able to gauge your progress and discover your strengths and weaknesses. You should carefully study the material relevant to your areas of difficulty. This will build your test-taking skills and your confidence! | |