1. Navigating the Assessment Center Tips for smooth sailing!

2. Important Resources www.nbpts.orgwww.nbpts.org Check the website for information specific to your certificate area and year Assessment Center Policy & Guidelines document Request for Testing Accommodations form When in doubt, refer to your NBPTS materials or call 1-800-22TEACH www.nbpts.orgwww.nbpts.org Check the website for information specific to your certificate area and year Assessment Center Policy & Guidelines document Request for Testing Accommodations form When in doubt, refer to your NBPTS materials or call 1-800-22TEACH

3. What are the Assessment Center Exercises? A series of six 30-minute exercises designed by practicing professionals in your certificate area Allow you to demonstrate knowledge in your content area Completed at a computer-based testing center near you A series of six 30-minute exercises designed by practicing professionals in your certificate area Allow you to demonstrate knowledge in your content area Completed at a computer-based testing center near you

4. When can I take them? Completed eligibility forms received and approved by NBPTS Assessment fee paid in full You have received your ATT (authorization to test) letter Schedule a testing date between January 3 and June 15. Appointment must be scheduled 30 days in advance. Completed eligibility forms received and approved by NBPTS Assessment fee paid in full You have received your ATT (authorization to test) letter Schedule a testing date between January 3 and June 15. Appointment must be scheduled 30 days in advance.

5. Where do I complete the Assessment Center Exercises? NBPTS has contracted Pearson VUE to administer the Assessment Exercises Pearson has 300+ computer-based testing sites throughout the U.S. In Virginia, there are several centers including locations in Newport News, Chesapeake, Richmond, Roanoke, Vienna, Lynchburg, and Washington, D. C. NBPTS has contracted Pearson VUE to administer the Assessment Exercises Pearson has 300+ computer-based testing sites throughout the U.S. In Virginia, there are several centers including locations in Newport News, Chesapeake, Richmond, Roanoke, Vienna, Lynchburg, and Washington, D. C.

6. What to Expect at the Testing Center No family or friends can accompany you. Arrive 30 minutes early--If you are late by 30 minutes or more, you will not be admitted and will be considered “absent.” A computer lab of sorts--the only things allowed in your work space are an erasable noteboard, your identification card. Candidates in some certificate areas will have additional materials as instructed. No family or friends can accompany you. Arrive 30 minutes early--If you are late by 30 minutes or more, you will not be admitted and will be considered “absent.” A computer lab of sorts--the only things allowed in your work space are an erasable noteboard, your identification card. Candidates in some certificate areas will have additional materials as instructed.

7. You can also expect high test security ATT letter and a picture identification card (names must match) Digital palm scan Non-disclosure policy before the computer will begin assessment center exercises Close monitoring throughout the test Only your identification and erasable noteboard with marker (provided by assessment center) allowed at your station ATT letter and a picture identification card (names must match) Digital palm scan Non-disclosure policy before the computer will begin assessment center exercises Close monitoring throughout the test Only your identification and erasable noteboard with marker (provided by assessment center) allowed at your station

8. Get ready before you go! Make a dry run--especially if you’re unsure of the testing location. Plan what you’ll take with you--comfort items, snack, etc. Visit www.pearsonvue.com/NBPTSwww.pearsonvue.com/NBPTS Take the virtual tour. Practice using the online tutorial and sample exercise. Make a dry run--especially if you’re unsure of the testing location. Plan what you’ll take with you--comfort items, snack, etc. Visit www.pearsonvue.com/NBPTSwww.pearsonvue.com/NBPTS Take the virtual tour. Practice using the online tutorial and sample exercise.

9. A STRATEGY FOR PREPARATION

10. Review the Core Propositions 1. Teachers are committed to students & their learning. 2. Teachers know the subjects they teach & know how to teach those subjects to students. 3. Teachers are responsible for managing and monitoring student learning. 4. Teachers think systematically about their practice & learn from experience. 5. Teachers are members of learning communities. 1. Teachers are committed to students & their learning. 2. Teachers know the subjects they teach & know how to teach those subjects to students. 3. Teachers are responsible for managing and monitoring student learning. 4. Teachers think systematically about their practice & learn from experience. 5. Teachers are members of learning communities.

11. Review Your Own Standards For instance, ELA/AYA includes 16 Standard Domains, broken into three areas: Preparing the way for productive student learning Advancing student learning in the classroom Supporting Student Learning through Long- Range Initiatives For instance, ELA/AYA includes 16 Standard Domains, broken into three areas: Preparing the way for productive student learning Advancing student learning in the classroom Supporting Student Learning through Long- Range Initiatives

12. The Certificate Area Standards Reflect the Core Propositions From Preparing the Way for Productive Student Learning 1. Knowledge of students (1, 3) 2. Knowledge of English Language Arts (2, 4) 3. Instructional Design & Decision Making (2, 4) 4. Fairness, Equity, & Diversity (1, 2, 4) 5. Learning Environment (1, 3, 4) 6. Instructional Resources (2, 4, 5) From Preparing the Way for Productive Student Learning 1. Knowledge of students (1, 3) 2. Knowledge of English Language Arts (2, 4) 3. Instructional Design & Decision Making (2, 4) 4. Fairness, Equity, & Diversity (1, 2, 4) 5. Learning Environment (1, 3, 4) 6. Instructional Resources (2, 4, 5)

13. Assessment Center Exercises Read description of Assessment Center Exercise for your certificate area. Although the topics are numbered, they may be presented in any order. What content knowledge will be assessed? What skills will be assessed? How does the Exercise reflect the Core Propositions and the Certificate Standards? Read description of Assessment Center Exercise for your certificate area. Although the topics are numbered, they may be presented in any order. What content knowledge will be assessed? What skills will be assessed? How does the Exercise reflect the Core Propositions and the Certificate Standards?

14. For Example… ELA/AYA : “Analysis of Writing”ELA/AYA : “Analysis of Writing” Teachers will demonstrate an understanding of audience and purpose in writing and an ability to analyze techniques authors employ to make a passage effective. They will be asked to read a non-fiction passage, discuss audience and purpose, and analyze techniques that make the piece effective for the audience and purpose.

15. What content knowledge will be assessed? ELA/AYA : “Analysis of Writing”ELA/AYA : “Analysis of Writing” Teachers will demonstrate an understanding of audience and purpose in writing and an ability to analyze techniques authors employ to make a passage effective. They will be asked to read a non-fiction passage, discuss audience and purpose, and analyze techniques that make the piece effective for the audience and purpose.

16. What content knowledge will be assessed? ELA/AYA : “Analysis of Writing”ELA/AYA : “Analysis of Writing” Teachers will demonstrate an understanding of audience and purpose in writing and an ability to analyze techniques authors employ to make a passage effective. They will be asked to read a non-fiction passage, discuss audience and purpose, and analyze techniques that make the piece effective for the audience and purpose.

17. What skills will be assessed? ELA/AYA : “Analysis of Writing”ELA/AYA : “Analysis of Writing” Teachers will demonstrate an understanding of audience and purpose in writing and an ability to analyze techniques authors employ to make a passage effective. They will be asked to read a non-fiction passage, discuss audience and purpose, and analyze techniques that make the piece effective for the audience and purpose.

18. What skills will be assessed? ELA/AYA : “Analysis of Writing”ELA/AYA : “Analysis of Writing” Teachers will demonstrate an understanding of audience and purpose in writing and an ability to analyze techniques authors employ to make a passage effective. They will be asked to read a non-fiction passage, discuss audience and purpose, and analyze techniques that make the piece effective for the audience and purpose.

19. How does it reflect the propositions & standards? ELA/AYA : “Analysis of Writing”ELA/AYA : “Analysis of Writing” Teachers will demonstrate an understanding of audience and purpose in writing and an ability to analyze techniques authors employ to make a passage effective. They will be asked to read a non-fiction passage, discuss audience and purpose, and analyze techniques that make the piece effective for the audience and purpose.

20. What Can I Expect??? ELA/AYA : “Analysis of Writing”ELA/AYA : “Analysis of Writing” Teachers will demonstrate an understanding of audience and purpose in writing and an ability to analyze techniques authors employ to make a passage effective. They will be asked to read a non-fiction passage, discuss audience and purpose, and analyze techniques that make the piece effective for the audience and purpose. READ, UNDERSTAND, ANALYZE, DEMONSTRATE, EVALUATE (ANALYZE EFFECTIVENESS); Questions about AUTHOR TECHNIQUES, AUDIENCE, AND PURPOSE

21. DescriptionContentSkills What to Expect Core Props Certif. Standards

22. DescriptionContentSkills What to Expect Core Props Certif. Standards Teachers will demonstrate an understanding of audience and purpose in writing and an ability to analyze techniques authors employ to make a passage effective. They will be asked to read a non- fiction passage, discuss audience and purpose, and analyze techniques that make the piece effective for the audience and purpose. Writer’s Audienc e Purpose techniqu e Demonstrat e understandin g analyze technique, read & discuss

23. Preparing on Your Own Go to your BOX or download your certificate information at www.nbpts.org www.nbpts.org Standards Overview for Your Certificate Area Assessment Center Exercise descriptions/overview Retired prompts Use the online tutorial prior to your test date!!!

24. Amy Brown abrown@ycsd.york.va.us abrown@ycsd.york.va.us Amy Brown abrown@ycsd.york.va.us abrown@ycsd.york.va.us ELA/AYA (2006) Grafton High School York County School Division Online resources: www.nbpts.org www.pearsonvue.com/nbpts www.sevanbctrn.org ELA/AYA (2006) Grafton High School York County School Division Online resources: www.nbpts.org www.pearsonvue.com/nbpts www.sevanbctrn.org