FASTRACK Advantage Assessments (v2)
Transcription
FASTRACK Advantage Assessments (v2)
FASTRACK Advantage Assessments (v2) for PLATO Web Learning Network users Corporate Headquarters PLATO Learning, Inc. 10801 Nesbitt Avenue S. Bloomington, MN 55437 800.869.2000 952.832.1200 (FAX) PLATO Support Services Website: http://support.plato.com Email: http://support.plato.com/email Voice: 800.869.2200 International Offices PLATO Learning (Canada), Inc. 200-1311 Howe Street Vancouver, British Columbia V6Z 2P3 Toll free: 866.567.5286 Phone: 604.691.1792 Fax: 604.691.1763 PLATO Learning (UK) Ltd. Statesman House, Stafferton Way, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 1AD Main: 44 1628 588 300 Fax: 44 1628 588 333 Sales: 44 1628 588 359 Tech Support: 44 1628 588 345 Tech Support Fax: 44 1628 588 340 World Wide Website http://www.plato.com Copyright © 2005 by PLATO Learning, Inc. All rights reserved. PLATO® is a registered trademark of PLATO Learning, Inc. PLATO Learning is a trademark of PLATO Learning, Inc. All company names and products are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Contents GENERAL INFORMATION ...................................................................................................... 1 READING COMPREHENSION AND SKILLS & STRATEGIES ASSESSMENT ............. 4 OVERVIEW ................................................................................................................................... 4 ASSESSING LEARNERS ................................................................................................................. 5 SELECTING A SKILL LEVEL .......................................................................................................... 6 PASSING PERCENTAGES ............................................................................................................... 8 COMPLETING THE ASSESSMENT ................................................................................................... 9 DETERMINING INDIVIDUAL LEARNING PATHS ........................................................................... 10 LANGUAGE ARTS ASSESSMENT ........................................................................................ 13 OVERVIEW ................................................................................................................................. 13 ASSESSING LEARNERS ............................................................................................................... 14 SELECTING A SKILL LEVEL ........................................................................................................ 15 PASSING PERCENTAGES ............................................................................................................. 16 COMPLETING THE ASSESSMENT ................................................................................................. 17 DETERMINING INDIVIDUAL LEARNING PATHS ........................................................................... 18 MATH ASSESSMENT............................................................................................................... 21 OVERVIEW ................................................................................................................................. 21 ASSESSING LEARNERS ............................................................................................................... 22 SELECTING A SKILL LEVEL ........................................................................................................ 23 PASSING PERCENTAGES ............................................................................................................. 24 COMPLETING THE ASSESSMENT ................................................................................................. 25 DETERMINING INDIVIDUAL LEARNING PATHS ........................................................................... 26 REPORTS.................................................................................................................................... 29 SCOPE AND SEQUENCE ........................................................................................................ 31 READING COMPREHENSION ....................................................................................................... 32 READING SKILLS AND STRATEGIES ............................................................................................ 33 LANGUAGE ARTS ....................................................................................................................... 36 MATH ........................................................................................................................................ 39 i General Information Introduction FASTRACK Advantage Assessments are instructional systems that combine skills assessment and skills development. With these assessments, you can conveniently establish and monitor the beginning, progression, and completion status of learners in your program. Purpose FASTRACK Advantage Assessments serve the following purposes: • Determines a grade level for a specific learner. • Places learners in the appropriate activities while exempting them from others. • Indicates student progress (except in Reading Comprehension) Benefits The FASTRACK Advantage Assessments benefit you and your learners in the following ways: • Accessed from PLATO Web Learning Network. • Addresses skill levels from grade 2 to grade 14, depending on the curriculum. • Adjusts the test duration depending on a learner’s skill level. • Reports a grade level. • Allows instructors to suggest (learners then enter it) a starting grade level to decrease test time. • Allows learners to stop a test and resume it later. Continued on next page 1 General Information, Continued FASTRACK Advantage Assessments and Tests Placement tests have relatively low stakes. You can use the FASTRACK Advantage Assessments to place learners in the courseware they need and are ready for. The assessments are short and quick to administer, so the learner can start the appropriate courseware as quickly as possible. Because the tests are so short, they are the least reliable of the various tests shown. Since they are low-stakes tests, we believe this trade-off of reliability for speed is acceptable. After placement, students move into the PLATO instructional activities. Each PLATO tutorial includes quizzes and interactions that determine understanding. Each module includes a test that shows the learner has mastered the objective of the module. These assessments are longer and are drawn from a larger pool of questions. Since each mastery test covers a single objective, mastery tests tend to be more reliable than placement tests. Mastery of a course may also be a prerequisite for standardized tests, like a statewide assessment. These tests are moderate in length. They are carefully prepared to have high reliability, because the stakes may be very high: graduation, acceptance into a program, and so forth. Continued on next page 2 General Information, Continued FASTRACK Advantage Assessments and Tests (continued) This diagram shows how various assessments fit into an overall view of assessment and instruction Process overview The table below identifies the eduTest FASTRACK Assessment process. Stage 1 2 3 Description Learners begin FASTRACK Advantage Assessments by taking one or more assessment tests to determine their skill level. Upon completion of the test, the system generates an individual learning path based on the learner’s test performance. Learners then complete the PLATO courseware in their individual learning path to increase their skill level. Note Reading Comprehension is the only assessment that does not indicate an increase in grade level as learners progress through the curriculum. 3 Reading Comprehension and Skills & Strategies Assessment Overview Description The Reading Comprehension assessment provides prescriptions in the following curricula: • Vocabulary and Reading Comprehension • Advanced Reading Strategies The Skills and Strategies assessment provides prescriptions in the following curricula: • • • • Recommendation Essential Reading Skills Fundamental Reading Skills Intermediate Reading Skills Advanced Reading Skills You do not need the Vocabulary and Reading Comprehension courseware to use the FASTRACK Advantage Reading Comprehension Assessment, but you will need it in order to make assignments for vocabulary and reading comprehension practice. Scope and Sequence Refer to the Scope and Sequence section at the end of this document on page 31. In this section This section includes the following topics. Topic Assessing Learners Selecting a Skill Level Passing Percentages Completing the Assessment Determining Individual Learning Paths 4 See Page 5 6 8 9 10 Assessing Learners Introduction When learners select a FASTRACK Advantage Assessment curriculum, they begin with the assessment test. Test description The assessment test can take from 30 minutes to a few hours, depending on learner speed and skill level. The test is adaptive and the more questions a learner answers correctly, the longer the test will take. Therefore, estimate a learner’s starting skill level as accurately as possible. If a learner does not select a starting skill level, the assessment starting level defaults to Level D (grade 5) or Level E (grade 6), depending on the subject. Note A learner does not need to complete the test in one sitting. Learners can exit the test and resume where they left off at another session. 5 Selecting a Skill Level Description When learners start the assessment test, the system asks them to enter a starting skill level assigned by an instructor. Learners decrease the amount of time they need to complete the assessment test by selecting the correct starting level. Not selecting a skill level If you do not select a skill level, the learner begins the FASTRACK Advantage Reading Comprehension Assessment at test level E. The default starting level for FASTRACK Advantage Reading Skills and Strategies Assessment is Level D. If you already know the learner’s reading skill level, you may skip the FASTRACK Advantage Reading Comprehension Assessment and have the learner start at a level you choose in the FASTRACK Advantage Reading Skills and Strategies Assessment. However, if the student has completed FASTRACK Advantage Reading Comprehension Assessment before starting FASTRACK Advantage Reading Skills and Strategies test, the level achieved in the Reading Comprehension assessment is the best level to assign for FASTRACK Advantage Reading Skills and Strategies. Confidentiality Only instructors and administrators have access to a learner’s starting grade level from PLATO Web Learning Network. Learners will know their starting level identified by letter, not the associated grade level or levels. Continued on next page 6 Selecting a Skill Level, Continued Using Reading Comprehension and Skills and Strategies together You can use FASTRACK Advantage Reading Comprehension assessment and FASTRACK Advantage Reading Skills and Strategies assessments together to determine a learner’s starting skill level. Use the Reading Comprehension assessment to determine a learner’s overall reading level when it is not known. Since Comprehension has 12 levels and Skills and Strategies has only five levels, use the following table to determine a learner’s starting skill level in Skills and Strategies based on their Reading Comprehension grade. Reading Comprehension Grade 3.00 4.00 5.00 6.00 7.00 8.00 9.00 10.00 and higher Skills and Strategies Starting Level B C D D F F F I Testing strategy FASTRACK Advantage uses an adaptive testing strategy to minimize the amount of time spent on each of the assessment tests. Stage Description 1 Learners begin tests at a level assigned by their instructor or as determined by the level the learner achieved in the Reading Comprehension assessment. Learners progress through the questions in the assigned level until they demonstrate mastery or non-mastery of the material and skill level. Learners continue to progress through the skill levels until they reach a level they are unable to master. The test ends and PLATO Web Learning Network assigns the learner the non-mastered skill level as the initial level for the instruction. 2 3 4 7 Passing Percentages Introduction FASTRACK Advantage assessments require that the learner master all modules or courses in each level before continuing on to the next level. Description The table below identifies for each curriculum what percentage of the questions for a module or course a learner must answer correctly to go on to the next higher level. Curriculum Vocabulary and Reading Comprehension Module or course passing percentage 80 Essential Reading Skills 67 Fundamental Reading Skills 67 Intermediate Reading Skills 67 Advanced Reading Skills 67 Mastery Must answer 8 of 10 questions correctly to master level Must master all modules to master level Must master all courses to master level Must master all courses to master level Must master all modules to master level Example Suppose a learner begins at Level B of Reading Skills and Strategies and masters Level B through D and half the modules in Level E. The initial level is E. 8 Completing the Assessment Introduction FASTRACK Advantage continues testing learners until they reach the highest level they can master. Process overview The table below identifies how a learner completes the assessment. Stage 1 2 3 Description Once the learner reaches the highest level they can master, the test will end. PLATO Web Learning Network automatically generates a grade level and creates an individual Reading Skills and Strategies assignment for the learner. The learner exits the system following the online instructions. Note Learners can manually exit the test and force it to be scored. However, the score reported will not be accurate and the student will not be able to retake the test without instructor intervention. Scoring PLATO Web Learning Network assesses learner skill level only on the portion of the test they completed. Resume testing Since the assessment test might take a few hours, learners may take the test in several sessions. They can exit the test and not score it by following the onscreen instructions, then resume the test at a later time. 9 Determining Individual Learning Paths Introduction Upon completion of the assessment test, learners receive an individual assignment in the FASTRACK Advantage Reading Skills and Strategies curriculum. At any time, they may review courseware levels and objectives already mastered. PLATO Web Learning Network assessment test feature allows each learner to have a learning path unique to his or her individual needs. PLATO Web Learning Network activities to assign Reading Comprehension activities are assigned through PLATO Web Learning Network. Use the table below to determine what to assign based on the grade level reported for Reading Comprehension. FASTRACK Advantage Reading Comprehension grade level 3 • • 4 • • 5 • • 6 • • 7 • • 8 • • 9 • • • • • • Activities to Assign in PLATO Web Learning Network Vocabulary and Reading Stories, Level 3 Vocabulary and Reading Information, Level 3 Vocabulary and Reading Stories, Level 4 Vocabulary and Reading Information, Level 4 Vocabulary and Reading Stories, Level 5 Vocabulary and Reading Information, Level 5 Vocabulary and Reading Stories, Level 6 Vocabulary and Reading Information, Level 6 Vocabulary and Reading Literature, Level 7 Vocabulary and Reading Expository Test, Level 7 Vocabulary and Reading Literature, Level 8 Vocabulary and Reading Expository Test, Level 8 Vocabulary and Reading Literature, Level 9 Vocabulary and Reading Expository Test, Level 9 Reading Social Sciences, Practice Level 9 Reading Literature, Practice Level 9 Reading History, Practice Level 9 Reading Science, Practice Level 9 Continued on next page 10 Determining Individual Learning Paths, Continued PLATO Web Learning Network activities to assign (continued) FASTRACK Advantage Reading Comprehension grade level 10 11 12 13 14 Activities to Assign in PLATO Web Learning Network • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Reading Social Sciences, Practice Level 10 Reading Literature, Practice Level 10 Reading History, Practice Level 10 Reading Science, Practice Level 10 Reading Social Sciences, Practice Level 11 Reading Literature, Practice Level 11 Reading History, Practice Level 11 Reading Science, Practice Level 11 Reading Social Sciences, Practice Level 12 Reading Literature, Practice Level 12 Reading History, Practice Level 12 Reading Science, Practice Level 12 Reading Social Sciences, Practice Level 13 Reading Literature, Practice Level 13 Reading History, Practice Level 13 Reading Science, Practice Level 13 Reading Social Sciences, Practice Level 14 Reading Literature, Practice Level 14 Reading History, Practice Level 14 Reading Science, Practice Level 14 Continued on next page 11 Determining Individual Learning Paths, Continued Examples The following examples illustrate a learner’s exemption from and completion of activities after taking the assessment and mastery tests for the Reading Skills and Strategies curricula. In this example, the learner was exempted from seven modules after taking the assessment. The learner went through each module from which they were not exempted and mastered them; therefore, showing mastery and completion on those modules. 12 Language Arts Assessment Overview Description The Language Arts assessment provides prescriptions in the following curriculum: • Writing Series Scope and Sequence Refer to the Scope and Sequence section at the end of this document on page 31. In this section This section includes the following topics. Topic Assessing Learners Selecting a Skill Level Passing Percentages Completing the Assessment Determining Individual Learning Paths See Page 14 15 16 17 10 13 Assessing Learners Introduction When learners select a FASTRACK Advantage curriculum, they begin with the assessment test. The remainder of the curriculum is unavailable until after they complete the assessment test and the system scores the test. Test description The assessment test can take from 30 minutes to a few hours, depending on learner speed and skill level. The test is adaptive and the more questions a learner answers correctly, the longer the test will take. Therefore, estimate a learner’s starting skill level as accurately as possible. If you do not select a skill level, the assessment starting level defaults to Level E. Note A learner does not need to complete the test in one sitting. Learners can exit the test and resume where they left off at another session. 14 Selecting a Skill Level Introduction You should match the skills in the level to each learner’s capability when assigning an initial level. Description When learners start the assessment test, the system asks them to enter a starting skill level assigned by an instructor. Starting learners at the correct level decreases the amount of time they need to complete the assessment test. Not selecting a skill level If a skill level is not selected, the learner begins the tests at Level E. Testing strategy FASTRACK Advantage uses an adaptive testing strategy to minimize the amount of time spent on each of the assessment tests. Stage 1 2 3 4 Description Learners begin tests at a level assigned by their instructor. The learner progresses through the questions in the assigned level until he or she demonstrates mastery or non-mastery of the material and skill level. The learner continues to progress through the skill levels until he or she reaches a level he or she is unable to master. The test ends and the Pathways system assigns the learner the nonmastered skill level as the initial level for the assessment. 15 Passing Percentages Introduction Each FASTRACK Advantage curriculum requires that the learner master 80% of the modules in a level before continuing onto the next level. Adjustments As soon as a learner fails 20% of the objectives in a level, level mastery is not possible. FASTRACK Advantage decreases testing one or two levels and allows the learner to proceed. When decreasing levels, FASTRACK Advantage considers performance in the failed level to determine whether to drop back one or two levels. Example A learner may begin but not master Level D. If the learner’s performance in Level D was poor, the assessment test decreases to Level B. If the learner still does not master that level, the test decreases to Level A (the curriculum beginning). If the learner masters Level B, he or she progresses to Level C. 16 Completing the Assessment Introduction FASTRACK Advantage continues testing learners until they reach the highest level they can master. Process overview The table below identifies how a learner completes the assessment. Stage 1 2 3 Description Once the learner reaches the highest level they can master, the test will end. PLATO Web Learning Network automatically generates a grade level and creates an individual assignment for the learner. The learner exits the system. Note Learners can manually exit the test and force it to be scored. However, the score reported will not be accurate and the student will not be able to retake the test without instructor intervention. Scoring PLATO Web Learning Network assesses learner skill level only on the portion of the test they completed. Resume testing Since the assessment test might take a few hours, learners may take the test in several sessions. They can exit the test and not score it by following the onscreen instructions, then resume the test at a later time. 17 Determining Individual Learning Paths Introduction Upon completion of the assessment test, learners receive an individual assignment in the FASTRACK Advantage curriculum. At any time, they may review courseware levels and objectives already mastered. PLATO Web Learning Network assessment test feature allows each learner to have a learning path unique to his or her individual needs. Examples The following examples illustrate a variety of learner assessment test results. Exemption example This example shows a learner in the Advantage Language Arts curriculum. The learner entered the assessment at Level E and was exempted in Levels A through E. The learner was unable to pass all activities in Level F and therefore begins the curriculum assignment on Level F. Continued on next page 18 Determining Individual Learning Paths, Continued Examples (continued) Partial exemption example This example shows the partial exemptions in Level E of the Language Arts curriculum. The learner was exempted from four objectives and was having difficulty with and unable to pass the remaining objectives. The learner does not advance to the next level. Continued on next page 19 Determining Individual Learning Paths, Continued Examples (continued) Mastery and completion example This example shows mastery and completion within the courseware after the learner completes the assessment test. The learner completes the activities and receives mastery of the activity within the curricula and outside the assessment.. 20 Math Assessment Overview Description The Math assessment provides prescriptions in the following curricula: • • • • Math Fundamentals Geometry and Measurement 1 PLATO Algebra 1 PLATO Algebra 2 Scope and Sequence Refer to the Scope and Sequence section at the end of this document on page 31. In this section This section includes the following topics. Topic Assessing Learners Selecting a Skill Level Passing Percentages Completing the Assessment Determining Individual Learning Paths See Page 22 23 24 25 26 21 Assessing Learners Introduction When learners select a FASTRACK Advantage curriculum, they begin with the assessment test. The remainder of the curriculum is unavailable until after they complete the assessment test and the system scores the test. Test description The assessment test can take from 30 minutes to a few hours, depending on learner speed and skill level. The test is adaptive and the more questions a learner answers correctly, the longer the test will take. Therefore, estimate a learner’s starting skill level as accurately as possible. If you do not select a skill level, the assessment starting level defaults to Level E. Note A learner does not need to complete the test in one sitting. Learners can exit the test and resume where they left off at another session. 22 Selecting a Skill Level Introduction You should match the skills in the level to each learner’s capability when assigning an initial level. Description When learners start the assessment test, the system asks them to enter a starting skill level assigned by an instructor. Starting learners at the correct level decreases the amount of time they need to complete the assessment test. Not selecting a skill level If a skill level is not selected, the learner begins the tests at Level E. Testing strategy FASTRACK Advantage uses an adaptive testing strategy to minimize the amount of time spent on each of the assessment tests. Stage 1 2 3 4 Description Learners begin tests at a level assigned by their instructor. The learner progresses through the questions in the assigned level until he or she demonstrates mastery or non-mastery of the material and skill level. The learner continues to progress through the skill levels until he or she reaches a level he or she is unable to master. The test ends and the Pathways system assigns the learner the nonmastered skill level as the initial level for the assessment. 23 Passing Percentages Introduction Each FASTRACK Advantage curriculum requires that the learner master 80% of the modules in a level before continuing onto the next level. Adjustments As soon as a learner fails 20% of the objectives in a level, level mastery is not possible. FASTRACK Advantage decreases testing one or two levels and allows the learner to proceed. When decreasing levels, FASTRACK Advantage considers performance in the failed level to determine whether to drop back one or two levels. Example A learner may begin but not master Level D. If the learner’s performance in Level D was poor, the assessment test decreases to Level B. If the learner still does not master that level, the test decreases to Level A (the curriculum beginning). If the learner masters Level B, he or she progresses to Level C. 24 Completing the Assessment Introduction FASTRACK Advantage continues testing learners until they reach the highest level they can master. Process overview The table below identifies how a learner completes the assessment. Stage 1 2 3 Description Once the learner reaches the highest level they can master, the test will end. PLATO Web Learning Network automatically generates a grade level and creates an individual assignment for the learner. The learner exits the system. Note Learners can manually exit the test and force it to be scored. However, the score reported will not be accurate and the student will not be able to retake the test without instructor intervention. Scoring PLATO Web Learning Network assesses learner skill level only on the portion of the test they completed. Resume testing Since the assessment test might take a few hours, learners may take the test in several sessions. They can exit the test and not score it by following the onscreen instructions, then resume the test at a later time. 25 Determining Individual Learning Paths Introduction Upon completion of the assessment test, learners receive an individual assignment in the FASTRACK Advantage curriculum. At any time, they may review courseware levels and objectives already mastered. PLATO Web Learning Network assessment test feature allows each learner to have a learning path unique to his or her individual needs. Examples The following examples illustrate a variety of learner assessment test results. Exemption example This example shows a learner in the Advantage Math curriculum. The learner entered the assessment at Level E and was exempted in Levels A through E. The learner was unable to pass all activities in Level F and therefore begins the curriculum assignment on Level F. Continued on next page 26 Determining Individual Learning Paths, Continued Examples (continued) Partial exemption example This example shows the partial exemptions in Level E of the Math curriculum. The learner was exempted from four objectives and was having difficulty with and unable to pass the remaining objectives. The learner does not advance to the next level. math_partial_exempt.bmp Continued on next page 27 Determining Individual Learning Paths, Continued Examples (continued) Mastery and completion example This example shows mastery and completion within the courseware after the learner completes the assessment test. The learner completes the activities and receives mastery of the activity within the curricula and outside the assessment. 28 Reports Introduction PLATO Web Learning Network provides FASTRACK Advantage fAssessment reports that show initial skill level, current grade level, and grade level gain. Instructors can use these reports to track learner progress. Caution FASTRACK reports are for placement only. Grade levels reported are competency-based. Do not use FASTRACK reports in lieu of standardized test grade levels. Report description PLATO Web Learning Network provides the FASTRACK Summary Report. This report displays the following information by Group or Class, depending on your selection: • • • • • • • Learner Name Initial Grade Date for Initial Grade Current Grade Date of Current Grade Grade Gain Time on Task Continued on next page 29 Reports, Continued Field descriptions The table below identifies various items that display on the FASTRACK Summary report. Note Different schools and areas of the country may teach different topics or skills in different grades, so these numbers may be approximate for your learners. They are most useful as a measure of skill gain by learners, how much they have accomplished since taking the initial assessment test. Item Initial grade Current grade Grade gain Description Displays the grade determined by the assessment test prior to fulfilling assignments. Displays the current learner skill level. This grade increases as a learner masters more objectives in the curriculum. Displays the difference between the learner’s initial grade and the current grade. This number represents the amount of progress a learner has made in the curriculum. Note Grade gain does not report for Reading Comprehension. Reading Comprehension activities allow students to practice certain skills, not master skills. Report sample 30 The following is an example of the FASTRACK Summary for an individual learner in one study area. Scope and Sequence Introduction Each curriculum is divided into skill levels; each level addresses a number of objectives. The curriculum begins with the basics and the difficulty increases with each skill level. In the section This section contains scope and sequence information for the following. Topics Reading Comprehension Reading Skills and Strategies Language Arts Math See Page 32 33 36 39 31 Reading Comprehension Description 32 The table below shows the curriculum covered by the FASTRACK Advantage Reading Comprehension Assessment. The Reading Comprehension courseware is assigned through PLATO Web Learning Network because it is not mastery-based. Therefore, courseware is not automatically exempted or assigned by FASTRACK. Skill Level B Reading Level 3 C D E F G H I J K L M 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Objectives Literal and inferential comprehension of narrative and expository Language Arts applicable to the grade level. Same Same Same Same Same Same Same Same Same Same Same Reading Skills and Strategies Description Skill Level B Grade Level 3 C 4 Modules or Courses in Level Pronouns Possessive Pronouns Contractions with Is and Am Contractions with Will Contractions with Are Contractions with Not Contractions with Would Tenses of Regular Verbs Tenses of Irregular Verbs Comparisons Compound Words Abbreviations Cause and Effect Words Negative Prefixes Prefixes Prefixes of Number Homonyms Homophones Idioms Similes Synonyms Antonyms Being a Word Detective Finding Main Ideas 1 Finding Main Ideas 2 What Happens Next? Finding What You Need Drawing Conclusions Working with Order Finding Causes and Effects Finding What’s Similar and What’s Different Finding Facts and Opinions Continued on next page 33 Reading Skills and Strategies, Continued Description Description (continued) Skill Level Grade Level Modules or Courses in Level D 5-6 Expanding Your Vocabulary Using What You Know Separating Facts from Opinions Asking and Answering Questions Reading Between the Lines Finding What’s Important Summarizing What You Read Using Pictures to Help You Understand, Picturing What You Read Tracking Your Understanding F 7-9 Enriching Your Vocabulary Using Prior Knowledge When You Read Discovering Facts and Opinions Using Question/Answer Strategy Making Inferences Locating What’s Important Summarizing What’s Important Using Graphics to Help You Understand Visualizing When You Read Monitoring Your Comprehension Continued on next page 34 Reading Skills and Strategies, Continued DescriptionDescription (continued) Skill Level Grade Level Modules or Courses in Level I 10 Finding the Resources Asking Questions Finding Answers Preparing for Review Putting It Together Building Your Vocabulary Reading to Remember Doing Your Best on Reading Tests Building Your Social Sciences Vocabulary Understanding Social Sciences A Strategy for Reading Social Sciences Building Your Literature Vocabulary Understanding Literature A Strategy for Reading Literature Building Your History Vocabulary Understanding History A Strategy for Reading History Building Your Sciences Vocabulary Understanding Sciences A Strategy for Reading Sciences 35 Language Arts Description Skill Level A B C D Modules in Level What is a Plural? Plurals with s and es Capital Letters Proper Nouns and Capitals The Basics of Punctuation What Is a verb? Two Kinds of Verbs Unusual Plurals How To Form Possessives Using Possessives Possessive Pronouns and Adjectives Titles and Capital Letters Commas 1 Colons and Semicolons Parts of a Verb Some Strange Verbs Verbs and Tenses What Is a Noun? Two Kinds of Nouns More Kinds of Nouns Nouns and Verbs and Number What Are Negative Words? Quotation Marks What Is a Pronoun? Personal Pronouns Personal Pronouns with Ownership Other Pronouns Recognizing Adjectives More About Adjectives Identifying Adjectives More About Adverbs What Is a Sentence? Parts of a Sentence More About Sentences Three Kinds of Sentences Confusing Verbs 1 Continued on next page 36 Language Arts, Continued Description (continued) Skill Level E F Modules in Level Nouns, Pronouns, and Gender Pronouns and Number Making Nouns and Pronouns Agree in Sentences A Subject and Its Verb Must Agree Subjects and Irregular Verbs Making Verbs and Unusual Nouns Agree Starting a Sentence with THERE or HERE What Is a Sentence Fragment? Run-on Sentences 1 Synonyms and Antonyms Homophones: Words That Sound Alike Writing Personal Business Letters Addresses and Return Addresses Spelling Rules More Spelling Rules Forming Plurals and Possessives Commonly Misspelled Words Punctuation – End Marks Commas 2 Using :,;,--,-,"" Recognizing Verbs Identifying Subjects Types of Nouns How Nouns are Used The Pronoun: Replacement for a Noun How Pronouns Are Used Regular Verbs Irregular Verbs Subject and Verb Agreement Pronoun and Antecedent Agreement Correct Pronoun Use Correct Use of Adjectives and Adverbs – Comparatives Continued on next page 37 Language Arts, Continued Description (continued) Skill Level G H I 38 Modules in Level Learning About Prepositions Using Articles Identifying Phrases What Is a Clause? More About Phrases Different Kinds of Clauses One Way to Link Ideas Letter of Application Filling Out an Application Modifiers of Meaning Verbal Phrases Prepositional Phrases Confusing Verbs 2 Confusing Words Sentence Fragments Dependent and Independent Clauses Run-on Sentences The Topic Sentence Unnecessary Sentences Order of Sentences in Paragraphs Transitional Devices Improving Structure in Paragraphs Paragraph Development and Organization Inappropriate Language Word Choice Errors Using Figures of Speech in Writing Effective Writing Misplaced Modifiers Parallel Structure within Sentences Awkward Sentence Structure Math Description Skill Level A B Modules in Level Whole Numbers 0-9 Counting Numbers Meaning of Addition Whole Numbers 10-99 Whole Numbers 100-999 Addition Facts 1 Addition Facts 2 Addition Properties Addition Skills 1 Addition Skills 2 Meaning of Subtraction Subtraction Facts Subtraction Skills 1 Hundreds and Thousands Addition Skills 3 Addition Skills 4 Subtraction Skills 2 Subtraction Skills 3 Subtraction Skills 4 Problem Solving 1 Millions/Billions and Trillions Meaning of Multiplication Multiplication Facts 1 Multiplication Skills 1 Multiplication Properties 1 Multiplication Facts 2 Multiplication Skills 2 Meaning of Division Division Facts Division Skills 1 Plane Figures 1 Continued on next page 39 Math, Continued Description (continued) Skill Level C D Modules in Level Multiplication Properties 2 Multiplication Skills 3 Multiplication Skills 4 Division Skills 2 Multiplication Skills 5 Division Skills 3 Multiplication Skills 6 Multiplication Skills 7 Problem Solving 2 Division Skills 4 Meaning of Fractions Division Skills 5 Division Skills 6 Division Skills 7 Division Skills 8 Problem Solving 3 Common 3-Dimensional Figures Equivalent Fractions Multiples and Common Denominators Comparing Fractions Improper Fractions and Mixed Numbers Adding and Subtracting Fractions 1 Adding and Subtracting Fractions 2 Plane Figures 2 Figure Comparison Continued on next page 40 Math, Continued Description (continued) Skill Level E F Modules in Level Adding Mixed Numbers Subtracting Mixed Numbers 1 Subtracting Mixed Numbers 2 Linear Measurement Area Measurement Volume and Capacity Measurement Multiplying Fractions Dividing Fractions 1 Dividing Fractions 2 Multiplying and Dividing Mixed Numbers 1 Multiplying and Dividing Mixed Numbers 2 Problem Solving 4 Ratio Concepts Decimal Fractions 1 Decimal Fractions 2 Proportion Concepts Adding and Subtracting Decimals Multiplying Decimals Problem Solving 5 Percent Concepts 1 Percent Concepts 2 Problem Solving 6 Metric Measurement Area, Part 1 Area, Part 2 Volume Using Measurement Visualizing Percents Less than 1 % (Alg 1.1) Converting Percents Less than 1% to Decimals (Alg 1.1) Converting a Decimal to a Fraction of a Percent (Alg 1.1) Finding the Amount with Percents Less than 1% (Alg 1.1) Visualizing Percents Greater than 100% (Alg 1.1) Converting Percents Greater than 100% to Decimals (Alg 1.1) Converting a Number Greater than 1 go a Percent (Alg 1.1) Mean, Median, and Mode (Alg 1.1) Continued on next page 41 Math, Continued Description (continued) Skill Level G Modules in Level Problem Solving 7 Odd and Even Numbers (Alg 1.1) Prime and Composite Numbers (Alg 1.1) Exponents: Exponential Form (Alg 1.1) Exponents: Expanded Form (Alg 1.1) Exponents: Product Rule (Alg 1.1) Exponents: Power Rule (Alg 1.1) The Additive Inverse of Integers (Alg 1.1) Adding Integers (Alg 1.1) Subtracting Integers (Alg 1.1) Multiplying Integers (Alg 1.1) Dividing Integers (Alg 1.1) Expressions in 1 Variable (Alg 1.1) Expressions in 2 or more Variables (Alg 1.1) Determining the Truth Value of a Statement (Alg 1.1) Order of Operations (Alg 1.1) Adding Monomials (Alg 1.1) Subtracting Monomials (Alg 1.1) Multiplying Monomials (Alg 1.1) Dividing Monomials (Alg 1.1) Adding Binomials and Monomials (Alg 1.1) Subtracting Binomials and Monomials (Alg 1.1) Multiplying Binomials and Monomials (Alg 1.1) Dividing Binomials by Monomials (Alg 1.1) Probability and Possible Outcomes (Alg 1.1) Probability of an Event (Alg 1.1) Solving Problems with Probability (Alg 1.1) Solving Problems with Percents (Alg 1.1) Solving Problems with Mean, Median, and Mode (Alg 1.1) Estimation Basics (Alg 1.1) Estimation by Clustering (Alg 1.1) Scaling and Proportion, Part 1 (Alg 1.1) Scaling and Proportion, Part 2 (Alg 1.1) Continued on next page 42 Math, Continued Description (continued) Skill Level H Modules in Level Square Roots of Perfect Squares (Alg 1.1) Square Roots of Imperfect Squares (Alg 1.1) Multiplying Common Fractions (Alg 1.1) Adding and Subtracting Fractions (Alg 1.1) Adding and Subtracting Mixed Numbers (Alg 1.1) Dividing Fractions (Alg 1.1) Multiplying and Dividing Mixed Numbers (Alg 1.1) Mental Math with Whole Numbers and Decimals (Alg 1.1) Mental Math with Fractions and Percents (Alg 1.1) Linear Equations in 1 Variable: Solving by Inspection (Alg 1.1) Linear Equations in 1 Variable: Isolating the Variable (Alg 1.1) Linear Inequalities in 1 Variable, Part 1 (Alg 1.1) Linear Inequalities in 1 Variable, Part 1 (Alg 1.1) More Difficult Linear Inequalities in 1 Variable (Alg 1.1) Special Angles, Part 1 Special Angles, Part 2 Circles/Arcs/Circumferences The Pythagorean Theorem – Geometry and Measurement 1 Using Geometry Using Basic Number Ideas (Alg 1.1) Special Quadratic Equations, Part 1 (Alg 1.1) Special Quadratic Equation, Part 2 (Alg 1.1) Using Linear Equations to Solve Problems (Alg 1.1) Using Quadratic Equations to Solve Problems (Alg 1.1) Coordinate Plan (Alg 1.1) Identifying Points on a Coordinate Plane (Alg 1.1) Ordered Pairs as Solutions of Linear Equations (Alg 1.1) Graphing Linear Equations in 2 Variables (Alg 1.1) Literal Equations (Alg 1.1) Adapting and Using Formulas (Alg 1.1) Patterns and Sequences (Alg 1.1) Functions (Alg 1.1) Describing Functions with Equations, Tables, and Graphs (Alg 1.1) Linear Patters (Alg 1.1) Graphs, Slopes, and y-Intercepts (Alg 1.1) Interpreting Graphs to Solve Problems (Alg 1.1) Continued on next page 43 Math, Continued Description (continued) Skill Level I Modules in Level Solving and Graphing Systems of Equations (Alg 1.1) Solving Problems with Systems of Linear Equations (Alg 1.1) Additive Inverse of an Integer (Alg 1.2) Integer Sum (Alg 1.2) Integer Difference (Alg 1.2) Integer Product (Alg 1.2) Integer Quotient (Alg 1.2) Adding Fractions (Alg 1.2) Subtracting Fractions (Alg 1.2) Multiplicative Inverse of a Fraction (Alg 1.2) Product of Fractions (Alg 1.2) Quotient of Fractions (Alg 1.2) Basic Set Concepts: Elements in a Set (Alg 1.2) Basic Set Concepts: Finite or Infinite (Alg 1.2) Basic Set Concepts: Subsets (Alg 1.2) Basic Set Concepts: Roster and Set-builder Forms (Alg 1.2) Union of Sets (Alg 1.2) Intersection of Sets (Alg 1.2) Positive and Negative Exponents (Alg 1.2) Integer Exponents and the Product Rule (Alg 1.2) Integer Exponents and the Quotient Rule (Alg 1.2) Integer Exponents and the Power Rule, Part 1 (Alg 1.2) Integer Exponents and the Power Rule, Part 2 (Alg 1.2) Square Roots of Integers (Alg 1.2) Multiplication Rule for Radicals (Alg 1.2) Division Rule for Radicals (Alg 1.2) Simplifying Radicals, Part 1 (Alg 1.2) Simplifying Radicals, Part 2 (Alg 1.2) Continued on next page 44 Math, Continued Description (continued) Skill Level J Modules in Level Classifying Polynomials (Alg 1.2) Additive Inverse of a Monomial (Alg 1.2) Monomial Sum (Alg 1.2) Monomial Difference (Alg 1.2) Monomial Product (Alg 1.2) Monomial Quotient (Alg 1.2) Binomial Sum (Alg 1.2) Additive Inverse of a Binomial (Alg 1.2) Binomial Difference (Alg 1.2) Value of a Polynomial (Alg 1.2) Polynomial Sum (Alg 1.2) Polynomial Difference (Alg 1.2) Product of a Monomial and Polynomial (Alg 1.2) Simplifying Polynomial Expressions (Alg 1.2) Product of Polynomials (Alg 1.2) Quotient of a Monomial and Polynomial (Alg 1.2) Quotient of a Binomial and Polynomial (Alg 1.2) Greatest Common Factors of Monomials (Alg 1.2) Monomial Factors of Polynomials (Alg 1.2) Binomial Factors of Polynomials, Part 1 (Alg 1.2) Binomial Factors of Polynomials, Part 1 (Alg 1.2) Factoring the Difference of 2 Squares (Alg 1.2) Factoring Perfect Square Trinomials (Alg 1.2) Factoring Trinomials, Part 1 (Alg 1.2) Factoring Trinomials, Part 2 (Alg 1.2) Simple Equations in 1 Variable: Using Inspection (Alg 1.2) Simple Equations in 1 Variable: Isolating the Variable (Alg 1.2) More Difficult Linear Equations in 1 Variable (Alg 1.2) Absolute Value of a Number (Alg 1.2) Equations with Absolute Values (Alg 1.2) Graphing a Solution Set on a Number Line (Alg 1.2) Solving and Graphing Equations in 1 Variable (Alg 1.2) Solving Problems With Linear Equations in 1 Variable (Alg 1.2) Linear Inequalities in 1 Variable, Part 1 (Alg 1.2) Linear Inequalities in 1 Variable, Part 2 (Alg 1.2) Linear Inequalities in 1 Variable, Part 3 (Alg 1.3) Continued on next page 45 Math, Continued Description (continued) Skill Level K Modules in Level Solving Simple Quadratic Equations (Alg 1.2) Solving Quadratic Equations by Factoring, Part 1 (Alg 1.2) Solving Quadratic Equations by Factoring, Part 2 (Alg 1.2) Solving Quadratic Equations by Factoring, Part 3 (Alg 1.2) Quadratic Formula (Alg 1.2) Solving Problems With Quadratic Equations (Alg 1.2) Evaluating Rational Expressions (Alg 2.1) Restrictions on Rational Expressions (Alg 2.1) Equivalent Forms of Rational Expressions (Alg 2.1) Simplifying Rational Expressions (Alg 2.1) Sum of Rational Expressions, Part 1 (Alg 2.1) Difference of Rational Expressions, Part 1 (Alg 2.1) Product of Rational Expressions (Alg 2.1) Quotient of Rational Expressions (Alg 2.1) Common Denominators of Rational Expressions (Alg 2.1) Sum of Rational Expressions, Part 2 (Alg 2.1) Difference of Rational Expressions, Part 2 (Alg 2.1) The Coordinate Plane (Alg 2.1) Graphing Ordered Pairs (Alg 2.1) Solutions of Linear Equations as Ordered Pairs (Alg 2.1) Graphing a Linear Equation in 2 Variables (Alg 2.1) Graphing a Linear Inequality in 2 Variables (Alg 2.1) Slope of a Line from 2 Points (Alg 2.1) The y-Intercept of a Line (Alg 2.1) Using the Slope and y-Intercept to Graph a Line (Alg 2.1) Finding the Slope and y-Intercept from an Equation (Alg 2.1) Writing Equations in Slope-Intercept Form (Alg 2.1) Identifying Graphs from Their Equations (Alg 2.1) Parallel Lines and Their Slopes (Alg 2.1) Perpendicular Lines and Their Slopes (Alg 2.1) Equations of Parallel or Perpendicular Lines (Alg 2.1) Solving Linear Systems of Equations: Graphs (Alg 2.1) Classifying Linear Systems (Alg 2.1) Continued on next page 46 Math, Continued Description (continued) Skill Level K, contin. L Modules in Level Solving Linear Systems of Inequalities: Graphs (Alg 2.1) Solving Linear Systems of Equations: Substitution (Alg 2.1) Solving Linear Systems of Equations: Addition (Alg 2.1) Solving Linear Systems of Equations: Matrices 1 (Alg 2.1) Solving Linear Systems of Equations: Matrices 2 (Alg 2.1) Solving Problems with Linear Systems (Alg 2.1) Change Experiments and Probability (Alg 2.1) Determining the Probability of an Event (Alg 2.1) Multiplication Principle of Counting (Alg 2.1) Introduction to Vectors (Alg 2.1) Vector Addition (Alg 2.1) Rules for Exponents and Radicals (Alg 2.2) Rationalizing the Denominator in Rational Expressions (Alg 2.2) Applying Rules for Exponents and Radicals (Alg 2.2) Scientific Notation (Alg 2.2) Simplifying Algebraic Expressions (Alg 2.2) Multiplying Algebraic Expressions (Alg 2.2) Factoring Algebraic Expressions (Alg 2.2) Factoring Sums and Differences of Perfect Cubes (Alg 2.2) Factoring or Using the Quadratic Formula (Alg 2.2) Rational Expressions: Simplify (Alg 2.2) Rational Expressions: Add and Subtract (Alg 2.2) Rational Expressions: Multiply and Divide (Alg 2.2) Evaluating Expressions with Absolute Value (Alg 2.2) Absolute Value, Inequalities, and Interval Notation (Alg 2.2) Graphing Linear Inequalities in 1 Variable (Alg 2.2) Graphing with Restrictions on the Variable (Alg 2.2) Graphing Solution Sets of Associated Inequalities (Alg 2.2) Calculating the Slope of a Line (Alg 2.2) Point-Slope and Slope-Intercept Forms of Equations (Alg 2.2) Equation of a Line Given a Point and Parallel Line (Alg 2.2) Equation of a Line Given a Point and Perpendicular Line (Alg 2.2) Perpendicular Bisector of a Line Segment (Alg 2.2) Continued on next page 47 Math, Continued Description (continued) Skill Level L, contin. 48 Modules in Level Distance between 2 Points (Alg 2.2) Distance between a Point and a Line (Alg 2.2) Distance and Circles (Alg 2.2) Parabola and Its Intercepts (Alg 2.2) Parabola and Its Vertex (Alg 2.2) Ellipse (Alg 2.2) Hyperbola (Alg 2.2) Equations of Ellipses and Hyperbolas (Alg 2.2) Defining a Functions with Its Rule (Alg 2.2) Finding Values of a Function Using Its Rule (Alg 2.2) Equations and Graphs of Functions, Part 1 (Alg 2.2) Equations and Graphs of Functions, Part 2 (Alg 2.2) Translations and Transformations (Alg 2.2) Functional Values (Alg 2.2) Composite Functions (Alg 2.2) Domain Values of Composite Functions (Alg 2.2) Inverse of a Function (Alg 2.2) Determining if a Function Has an Inverse (Alg 2.2) Solving Problems with Linear Functions (Alg 2.2) Solving Problems with Quadratic Functions (Alg 2.2) Properties of Exponential Functions (Alg 2.2) Properties of Logarithmic Functions (Alg 2.2) Recognizing Graphs of Types of Functions (Alg 2.2) Solving Problems: Exponential and Logarithmic (Alg 2.2) Exponential Growth (Alg 2.2) Exponential Decay (Alg 2.2) Copyright © 2005 by PLATO Learning, Inc.All rights reserved. PLATO® is a registered trademark of PLATO Learning, Inc. PLATO Learning is a trademark of PLATO Learning, Inc. All company names and products are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. FASTRACK Advantage Assessments (v2) for PLATO Web Learning Network users