SSHS teacher conducts free PRAXIS reviews as test deadlines near

Three testing dates remain before the deadline for the taking of the nationwide teacher certification exam called PRAXIS and one teacher is lending a hand to make sure that his co-teachers meet the federal requirement.

Saipan Southern High School senior level language arts teacher Jeffrey Turbitt is currently conducting a review course on the writing portion of PRAXIS I.

Turbitt will be visiting all CNMI public schools on all three islands, offering free crash courses in writing and grammar to any PSS teacher who needs help.

His presentation includes a review of basic grammar, advice on pitfalls to avoid in writing, ways to approach the multiple choice portion of the test, and a simulated essay under time pressure mimicking the actual test, based on the topic from the November 2005 PRAXIS I.

Turbitt said most people on the islands haven’t received any feedback on their writing skills since high school.

“In this multicultural world, a college professor isn’t likely to mention a student’s errors in things like subject and verb agreement, as well as organization and style,” he said, “as a professor is more likely to focus on content.” PRAXIS not only evaluates content but also grammar and mechanics.

The language instructor said one thing he anticipates is shyness about the quality of a teacher’s writing, but he would be addressing that issue.

“I offer constructive criticism where needed. The No. 1 thing is that the teacher gets a sense of the time factor involved, and I can offer some guidance on what area to work on. I try to make it about teachers helping teachers, as it should be,” Turbitt said.

PSS conducted a PRAXIS II review last summer 2005 with several professors from the University of Guam helping prepare PSS teachers for the Praxis II test. Through a federal grant, PSS was even able to provide teachers a professional development stipend during the review.

Turbitt noted that PRAXIS I is not that hard, but when he took the writing portion, which requires an essay on an unfamiliar topic, he was “shocked” to find that the writing portion was the hardest among the three tests.

“I’ve been to newspaper journalism school, I write regularly, and I have done so under deadline pressure, and I found it a bit of a challenge. I did well, but the time factor was a surprise. If you aren’t a writer, or English isn’t your first language, I’m sure that makes it a lot harder,” he said.

Turbitt reviewed the national scores and noted that writing has the lowest scores of the three tests, which also include reading and math.

After his test, and after talking to his SSHS colleagues, he asked PSS to offer help to teachers who might be understandably concerned about the writing part of the test. He said the central office quickly agreed to help.

Turbitt said he would be at Hopwood Junior High School on Feb. 21, Dandan Elementary on Feb. 23, WSR Elementary on Feb. 24, Kagman High School on Feb. 27, Kagman Elementary on Feb. 28 and Oleai Elementary School on March 3.

The next PRAXIS test date is March 4. Any teacher can attend the one-day after-school seminar at any of the schools mentioned. Seminars on Rota and Tinian, as well as San Antonio Elementary School and Tanapag Elementary School will take place after the March 4 scheduled test. Turbitt can be reached for questions through email at turbittj@yahoo.com.