About This Book REA's FTCE Elementary Education K6 test preparation is comprehensive and designed to assist you in getting certified to teach in Florida. To enhance your chances of success in this important step toward your career as a teacher in Florida elementary schools, this test guide: Summarizes the content for a quick review Provides sample questions in the actual test format Offers tips and strategies for successfully passing the test Presents an accurate and complete overview of the FTCE K6 Provides a diagnostic test to help you pinpoint your weaknesses Provides one true-to-format full-length practice test for rehearsal before your test dateThis guide is the result of extensive research. The editors considered the most recent test administrations, other test guides, and professional standards; they also researched information from the Florida Department of Education, professional journals, textbooks, and journals in the field.In addition to guiding your preparation for certification, recertification, out-of-field certification, or multiple certifications, this REA test prep is a valuable resource for college and university personnel and in-service trainers. They will find the book helpful as they construct help sessions and recommend resources for a test candidate. The guide may even suggest topics or content to include in a college course syllabus.Although our book is intended to help you succeed on the FTCE K6, you should not consider it a replacement for any college course, a duplicate of the actual test, or a complete source of subject matter to master. Like knowledge itself, the FTCE K6 can change.
This book includes the best test preparation materials based on the latest information available from test administrators. The number and distribution of questions can vary from test to test. Accordingly, prospective examinees should pay strict attention to their strengths and weaknesses and not depend on specific proportions of any subject areas appearing on the actual exam. About the Test Who Must Take the Test? Individuals take the FTCE K6 to obtain a temporary certificate (nonrenewable and valid for three school years) or a professional certificate (Florida's highest educator certificate, renewable and valid for five school years). To obtain either certificate, a prospective teacher must demonstrate mastery of subject matter knowledge, as indicated by a passing score on the FTCE K6.People taking the test include (1) individuals seeking initial teacher certification in Florida, (2) educators with temporary certificates who want professional certificates, and (3) educators who are making changes in their teaching career. You are eligible to take the test if you are: enrolled in a college or university teacher education program at the bachelor's or master's degree level, teaching with provisional certification, or making a change in your teaching career. What If I Do Not Pass the Test? If you do not achieve a passing score on the FTCE K6, don't panic! Instead, as a serious test taker, plan to retake the test after waiting at least 31 days.
The waiting period enables you to do additional work to improve your score on the next test. Remember, a low score on the FTCE is not an indication that you should change your plans about a teaching career. Who Designs the Test? The Florida Department of Education, together with the Evaluation Systems group of Pearson Education, Inc., develops and administers the FTCE K6. The test reflects modifications the Florida Legislature has made to the program of testing required for teacher candidates, who must demonstrate mastery of subject matter in areas covered by the certification.A diverse committee developed the FTCE K6. The specialists on the committee came from within the state and included teachers, supervisors, and college faculty with expertise in the content areas. Recommendations by professional organizations, content area experts, and teachers' unions assisted in the selection of committee members.
The committee identified the information for inclusion on the FTCE K6 and validated the content. To develop the test, the committee used reviews of the literature, surveys of and interviews with teachers, pilot tests, and their own expertise. They designed and implemented a validation process to ensure that the content and difficulty level of the test are appropriate. About Computer-Based Testing The FTCE K-6 is offered only on computer, at flexible times and locations throughout the year. Minimal computer and typing skills are required to complete the computer-based tests. You need to be comfortable with a Windows environment, using a mouse (including clicking, double-clicking, dragging, and scrolling), and typing at a rate that will allow you to complete the assignment in the allotted time (approximately 30 words per minute). In computer-based testing, examinees complete the tests by selecting answers on-screen to multiple-choice questions and typing or recording a response to a performance assessment component. When Should I Take the FTCE K6? Most candidates for teacher certification take the test just before or after graduation.
Some institutions have rules about the dates by which students must take and pass the examination. Consult the rules of the college where you are enrolled to determine if any stipulations exist.The Florida Department of Education establishes the tests you must take for certification and the deadlines by which you must complete the tests for certification purposes. For instance, if you have a temporary certificate, it is good for only three years; if you do not take and pass the required FTCE K6 within the period that the state sets, your certificate can lapse.Several websites, phone numbers, and addresses help you stay up-to-date with information about the FTCE K6. You can contact the Florida Department of Education as follows: FTCE/FELE Customer Service Evaluation Systems Pearson P.O. Box 660 Amherst, MA 01004-9018 Phone: (413) 256-2893 Web site: www.
fldoe.org/ In addition, these websites provide useful information: The FTCE Home Page: www.fldoe.org/asp/ftce. Certification Examinations for Florida Educators: www.cefe.usf.edu/ Is There a Registration Fee? To take the FTCE K6, you must pay a registration fee.
Payment must be by personal check, money order, cashier's check, or credit card (Visa or MasterCard). Cash is not accepted. For information on the current test rules, regulations, and fees, contact the Florida Department of Education or go to the website listed above. How to Use This Book and TestWare® The following sections outline ways you can use this study guide and take the practice tests to help you prepare for the FTCE K6. Apart from the book itself, we give you an online diagnostic test, and a CD-ROM with a full-length practice test. We strongly recommend that you begin your preparation with online diagnostic test which will pinpoint your weaknesses making it easier to focus your study. After some studying, then take the practice test on CD-ROM. The software provides the added benefits of instantaneous, automatic scoring and enforced time conditions.
What's more, its powerful diagnostic component provides performance percentages for individual competencies, allowing you to manage your study time efficiently and effectively. How Do I Begin Studying? 1. Review the organization of this test preparation guide.2. Follow the "FTCE K6 Study Schedule" presented at the end of this chapter. The schedule is for a seven-week independent study program, but you can condense or expand the schedule according to the time you have available.3. Take the Online Diagnostic Test at www.
rea.com/FTCE/ElemEdK6.htm and begin by reviewing those competencies where you are weak.4. Review the section of this chapter titled "Format of the FTCE K6," which provides the format of items on the sample test and a replica of the real test.5. Review the suggestions for test-taking presented later in this chapter.6.
Pay attention to the information about the competencies and skills, content, and topics on the test.7. Spend time reviewing topics that warrant more study.8. Take the Practice Test and study those competencies that your test scores indicate need more review.9. Follow the suggestions presented later in this chapter for the day before and the day of the test.Thoroughly studying the subject reviews in Chapters 2 through 6 of this guide will reinforce the basic skills you need to do well on the exam.
Taking the practice test under timed, simulated testing conditions will help you become familiar with the format, and question types characteristic of the actual test. When Should I Start Studying? It is never too early to start studying for the Elementary Education K6 test. (Actually, you started preparing when you began your first college course.) The earlier you begin using this guide, however, the more time you will have to sharpen your skills. Do not procrastinate! Cramming is not the most effective way to study; it does not give you the time you need to think about the content, review the competencies, and practice the test. It is important, however, to review the material one last time the night before the test administration. Format of the Test The Elementary Education K-6 test requires all morning and most of the afternoon to complete; test takers get a lunch break between the two parts. The morning test is about 13.