New: Free, Online Testing Platform

The MDTP online testing and reporting platform is nearing completion of the pilot phase and is scheduled for general release statewide release this summer.  Features include quick set-up, an intuitive interface, and robust, immediate reporting capabilities.  All current diagnostic tests are available online.

During the pilot phase, there are two required trainings.  A pre-test training to learn how to set-up and navigate the online platform (approximately 1 hour).  After testing, there is a training to learn how to analyze the results and plan appropriate instructional responses.  This training is for teachers and optionally administrators, and lasts two to three hours.

Participation in the pilot phase is open, but subject to scheduling constraints.

For more information, please contact us at mdtp@ucla.edu

MDTP Online Testing Workshops:  Topics include accessing the online platform, registering your school, setting up classes so you’re ready to test in the fall; using the online platform to analyze your results and set goals; math activities to support and improve student thinking and get students talking math.  This is one morning session tentatively scheduled Saturday June 10, Friday August 11, or Saturday August 19. Sign up here

Note:  MDTP has just released, HS30D16, a new high school readiness assessment available only on the online platform.  HS30D16 is a special thirty item assessment intended to field test new high school readiness items that are more tightly align with common core curricular expectations.

End-of-year Diagnostic Testing

MDTP diagnostic testing at the end of the school year provides great information to reflect on the closing school year and plan for the upcoming year.

The results reports returned to teachers can help them identify the critical math topics learned well and those that students still struggle with.  Teachers can use the reports to think about their work with particular students and use that info to develop ways to better support next year’s students.  It can help them dig deeper into the conceptual foundations of the math topics essential for moving forward in future math courses.

In addition:

  • the teacher can distribute individualized letters to students to help them identify their accomplishments and plan for summer study.
  • groups of math teachers and departments can use the results as part of a professional development plan that uses formative assessment to improve instruction.
  • schools can use the results to inform placement into next year’s courses and support articulation between schools.

Ordering materials

  • Note: at this time of year, teachers typically administer the MDTP test for readiness for the following year’s course e.g. an Algebra 1 teacher will administer the Geometry Readiness test.

Mini-Course Begins in March

 Improving Students’ Mathematical Understanding

Filling in Gaps, Rectifying Misunderstandings, 
Moving Learning Forward

MDTP at UCLA is offering a five-week mini-course designed to support secondary teachers in their efforts to improve their students’ mathematical understandings.  In this collaborative effort, we will:

  • Administer an MDTP diagnostic to establish a baseline understanding of student thinking.
  • Meet regularly to evaluate progress and set goals.
  • Explore, select, and customize math activities that engage students in the math practices and deepen their understanding.
  • Analyze and respond to student work.

Two sections will be offered, each consisting of five meetings of three to four hours duration:

Section 1:  The Saturday morning section will be held in the UCLA Math Sciences Building.  You will meet and join with colleagues from area schools beginning March 11, 2017.  Depending on enrollment, the section will be either middle or high school focused.

Section 2:  The on-site school section will be scheduled in consultation with the selected school, but preference will be given to schools willing to commit to meeting at least every three weeks.

Sign-up Now!

    Section 1 (Saturdays at UCLA)            or       Section 2 (School on-site, times tbd)

* Sponsored by MDTP and the UCLA Math Department *
This opportunity is provided at no cost to participants

2017 Mid-Year Math Check-Up

What progress have your students made in math class this year?

What has yet to be accomplished?

The new year is a great time to use MDTP diagnostics to get a snapshot of your courses, sections, and individual students’ progress, and to help you set goals for the work ahead.

Remember, MDTP is a CSU/UC supported initiative providing you with materials and services, free of charge, to improve secondary math instruction and learning.  All materials are common core aligned and extensively field tested.  We offer both multiple choice diagnostic tests and topic-specific written response items.

In addition, both new and veteran users of MDTP, find on-site meetings, where we analyze the results and explore effective teaching strategies that build on those results, to be extremely helpful.

So, add MDTP to your new year’s list today – contact us for more information,  order materials, make an appointment for an on-site visit to your school:

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Happy 2017,

Mary

=================== Coming Soon ===================

  • new, free, easy-access, online testing platform
  • dedicated high school placement test
  • Spring 2017 mini-course announcements

==================================================

CMC-S Conference

If you’re going to the Palm Springs conference this November 4 and 5, make sure to stop by for a chat and perhaps take a deeper look at MDTP materials and services:

  • Diagnostics Tests:  our common core aligned diagnostic tests  give you information about your secondary student’s strengths and weaknesses, which in turn helps you design more effective lessons, courses, and math programs.
  • Written Response Items:  we have a suite of field-tested items keyed to important math concepts.  Each item is designed to give you more information about your students’ thinking and to support them in the development of their mathematical understanding.
  • Placement Program:  this pilot project is geared toward entering 9th graders and is SB-359 compliant placement
  • Online Platform:  we are field testing our new, free (!), online platform, and are eager to have you stop by for a test drive.
  • On-site Support:  we are happy to schedule an on-site visit to your school or district to support your use of these materials.

In addition, please join us for our two conference sessions:

Session 450:  Friday, November 4 • 3:30pm – 5:00pm.  What Could Go Wrong? (Addressing math misconceptions), Mary Sirody.

Session 756:  Saturday, November 5 • 1:15pm – 2:45pm.  Using Formative Data to Facilitate Teacher-Led Workshops, Kimberly Samaniego.

I look forward to seeing you there,

Mary

Yay! A New School Year Starts

Any time is the right time to use MDTP materials, but the start of the school year is very popular with teachers.  At the start of the year, teachers use the MDTP diagnostic results reports to get a feel for their classes – the strengths, weaknesses, and misconceptions of their students; the instructional topics in which students have a solid foundation; and those that need additional support.  Math departments use the results to identify productive areas for collaborative professional development and to guide supplemental math programs.

It is also a great time to use MDTP Written Response Items.  The WRI are an excellent adjunct to the diagnostic tests and a great resource for supporting the Common Core math practices.  Use of the WRI gives teachers access to student thinking, deepens student understanding and improves their ability to communicate effectively about mathematics. See written response page.

We encourage you to schedule a school site visit* to introduce and support the effective use of MDTP materials.  And, we are happy to customize visits to address the professional development initiatives in your department e.g. formative assessment, problem-solving, using Common Core math practices.

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Field Testing 2016

Any day now we are expecting the new common core aligned field tests.  Field testing insures that all MDTP materials are of the highest quality and allows Ca teachers to contribute to this effort.

Integrated Math 2 and Integrated Math 3 Readiness are in their third and final year of field testing.

Geometry and Algebra2 Readiness tests, and a High School Readiness Supplemental (suitable for Algebra 1 or Integrated Math 1) commences this year.

For Integrated Math 2, Math 3, Geometry, and Algebra 2, teachers will administer the field test within the first eight weeks of school.  In the spring, near the end of the term,  a post-test is administered and teachers complete a brief survey.  We return detailed results reports that will allow you to better understand your students and courses.

Teacher participation is vital to this effort. If you are a California teacher for one of these courses, please download and complete this field test application.

Note:  We encourage all teachers in a school who teach the field testing course to participate.

HS Math Placement and SB359

Follow up to the February post on HS math placement…

The MDTP package to support math placement of entering 9th graders includes the following materials and services:

  • Placement test
  • Diagnostic test for first month placement checkpoint
  • Detailed results reports
  • Support in the effective and appropriate use of the tests and results reports

These materials and services are provided at no charge to accredited California secondary schools and teachers through a UC/CSU partnership to support math instruction.  For more information visit the placement page on this site.  For specific questions or to set-up an on-site meeting, fill-in the following form:

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The Integrated Pathway*

News:  MDTP releases field test versions of Integrated Math 2 and 3 diagnostic assessments.

* How effective is your new integrated math course?  * How are your students progressing?  * Where are the gaps and misunderstandings?  * What adjustments will you make to finish out the year?  * How will you improve the course next year?  * What do your students need to study over the summer?  * What do next year’s instructors need to know about their incoming students?

MDTP’s Common Core aligned diagnostic assessments for the integrated pathway can help you answer these questions.

The High School Math Readiness test (for Integrated Math 1) was released in 2015.  With encouraging results, the Integrated Math 2 and Math 3 readiness tests are going into their third year of field testing.  Because the field tests will give teachers much-needed feedback on the effectiveness of their new courses, MDTP has decided to do a wide-scale release of the field tests for use this spring. Teachers, math departments and districts may order class sets of these tests here. (Note:  Until the order form is updated, you may enter your request in the comments section of the order form.)

HSIntegrated2* California Common Core Integrated Math 1, 2, and 3 are three new high school courses outlined in the    California Math Content Standards.

As always please contact our offices for more information.

 

California Mathematics Placement Act of 2015, SB 359

MDTP is developing assessments to support schools and districts with compliance of SB359.  The assessments, intended to support placement decisions for entering ninth graders, will be available August 2016. Please refer to MDTP News Release Re SB359 for more information.

I also highly recommend the placement guidelines published in our Fall 2014 newsletter: Using MDTP Tests for Placement.

Subscribe at right  to receive the latest updates on the MDTP placement project and feel free to contact me at msirody@math.ucla.edu, for more information.

Mary