This research project examines whether or not working with a math tutor helps raise the test scores of students taking the math section of the Praxis I exam. Participants will take one version of a math test, and then work with a math tutor to review the exam. Immediately after working with the tutor participants will take a second exam. The scores on the two tests will be compared to determine the effect tutoring has on the math scores.

This study is considered exempt under Category 2 because it involves the use of an existing educational test and information obtained will be recorded in such a way that participants cannot be identified directly or by identifiers linked to the subject.

DescriptionAll students seeking teacher certification in the State of Wisconsin are required by state statute to pass all three (3) components (reading, writing and math) of the Praxis I exam prior to their acceptance into a certification program. In order to assist UWM students with this exam, the school of education created the education resource center (ERC) in 2004. The ERC works with over 500 students annually, offering a variety of services which include individual tutoring, group workshops and computer self-directed study.

Participants in this study will be recruited through emails and flyers posted throughout the school of education. All students who agree to complete the two tests and receive the tutoring will be allowed to participate.

ProcedureUpon completing the required consent forms, participants will take a math pre test. The pre test (attached) will be comprised of 20 questions. Participants will have 30 minutes to complete the pre test, after which the test will be graded and a school of education tutor will review the test with the participant. Where needed, the participant will receive tutoring to explain the math concepts covered by the exam. The tutoring portion will last approximately 45 minutes. Immediately following the tutoring session the participant will be given a second (post) test. The post test (attached) will also be comprised of 20 questions. Following the post test, the scores of the pre and post test will be compared to determine the effect tutoring had on the test results. After sufficient results have been collected, an analysis of the data will be conducted to determine the collective effect tutoring has on the Praxis I exam scores. The pre and post tests will be of equal difficulty based on the degree of difficulty given each question by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). ETS administers the Praxis test series. This is being submitted as a multi-year project, to be completed over three (3) academic years. The number of subjects involved will be 100 each year, for a total of 300 at the end of the study.

DataParticipants will provide descriptive data and the scores from their pre and post exams. No names or other method of identifying the participants will be collected. Data will be both anonymous and confidential.

Score data will be recorded on an Excel data base in a shared drive with limited access given to the tutor (for recording purposes), the PI and the co PI. The original pre and post tests will be kept in a locked drawer in the Office of Academic Services, located on the second floor of Enderis Hall. We anticipate collecting data from 100 students each academic year for 3 years, for a total of 300 student participants.

Contact Information Rob Longwell-Grice
Office of Academic Services
Location: Enderis Hall, Room 213
Phone: 229-3059