Q: How much do MDTP test and scoring services cost?
A: MDTP provides testing booklets, answer sheets, and scoring services to
California Junior and Senior High Schools free of charge. The California
Academic Partnership Program (CAPP) funds the pre-collegiate portion of our
program.
MDTP makes every effort to keep costs down so that we may fill all of the
requests we receive. In order to accomplish this goal, we ask that teachers
only order the quantity of answer sheets they actually need. Of course, we are
happy to allow a few extra sheets for each class. Teachers should reuse test
booklets when possible. It is important to store test booklets in a secure
location.
Q: When and how often may I test my students? May I test my class even
though the rest of the school is not testing?
A: You may test whenever you choose. You are not obligated to wait for
school-wide testing, if such testing occurs at your school. As the classroom
teacher you decide when to use the test, MDTP will release your test results
to you alone. If there is a reason for others to be informed, then you may
share the information at your discretion. We will not release your test
results without your written permission.
We encourage you to test your class as often during the year as you feel
necessary to determine the best instructional path for your students. Some
teachers use the tests as pre- and post-tests. When used this way, both pre-
and post-test printouts can be used in individual student conferences to show
the student how much growth has occurred. Some teachers give the tests about
two-thirds of the way through the year so that time is still available to
review and correct any misinformation.
Q: How can I find out how my class compares to the rest of the district
(county, state)?
A: Such comparisons are not available because the scoring centers do not
collect data on test scores.
Q: Why not?
A: MDTP tests are criterion based tests constructed to measure student
mastery of particularly selected concepts and skills. Normed tests are
constructed to compare achievement levels of groups of students, but have
little useful information about individual mastery of particular concepts.
Tests that attempt to do both generally must compromise each area.
Q: Who can place orders for materials?
A: Any teacher at a California Junior or Senior High School can place an
order with any MDTP site. We suggest you use the site in your geographical
area to lessen the time needed for shipping materials between you and MDTP.
Q: Who does MDTP send the test results to?
A: MDTP returns the test scoring results only to the teachers that sent the
materials to us. We do not send or report test results to schools or
districts.
Q: Is it all right to use these tests for student placement?
A: Although MDTP tests are designed to provide diagnostic information to
teachers and students, many teachers find them useful in developing good
placement recommendations. When used for this purpose, it is essential to give
full consideration to other measures of student achievement, such as course
grade and teacher recommendation. The tests should never be used to exclude
students from a college preparatory mathematics program.
Q: What is the cut-off score for each test?
A: There is not a cut-off score for MDTP tests. Since their purpose is
diagnostic in nature, any discussion of cut-off scores is meaningless. An
examination of most exams, however, will reveal that the reported mastery
level of each topic is approximately 70% of the number of items in the topic.
Q: Since we have a Scantron scoring machine at our school, once we have the
test booklets and the correct key for a particular test, why should we send
answer sheets to an MDTP site for scoring?
A: Since the total number correct on any of the tests conveys only minimal
information about student performance, not letting MDTP score the test
prevents you and your students from receiving the diagnostic information
available -- namely, where your class and individual students need more work.
Don't forget MDTP does NOT charge for the scoring service -- there is no
cost to you or your school. MDTP scoring sites operate all year long, not just
during the school year. MDTP's goal is to score answer sheets and return the
test results to you within two working days. This does not include the
shipping time to and from our sites, also during peak scoring seasons we may
need additional time.
In addition, MDTP reviewers use the number of tests we score as a principal
indication of the extent of our activity, so returning all of your student's
answer sheets not only provides diagnostic information to you but also helps
assure our continued funding.
Please make sure the pink class information sheet is completely filled out
according to the instructions sent with it so we may process your answer
sheets promptly.
Q: How long does each test take?
A: The suggested times are on the front of the tests, they range from 45
minutes to 90 minutes. Remember these are only suggested times. We consider
them to be minimum time limits for the tests. Teachers should make sure all
students take the test under the same constraints. We strongly recommend that
students take any test in one sitting.
Q: Which forms should I use?
A: MDTP tests are available at five basic levels, Readiness for Algebra (AR
series), Readiness for Second Year Algebra (EA & SR series), Readiness for
Geometry, (GR series), Readiness for Mathematical Analysis (MR series),
Readiness for Calculus (PC or CR series). Most tests are available in either
Spanish or English versions that versions can be combined within one class.
Q: Can my students use a calculator when taking a test?
A: At the Algebra Readiness level, MDTP tests are available in two
versions, one that prohibits the use of a calculator and one that requires the
use of a calculator. Above the Algebra Readiness level the two versions are
one that allows the use of a calculator but does not require it and one that
requires the use of a calculator.
