Dr. Tess Miller advises education department on math assessments

The PEI Department of Education and Early Childhood Development and Dr. Tess Miller, Faculty of Education at the University of Prince Edward Island, have analyzed the results of the Grade 9 Provincial Mathematics Common Assessment to identify problem areas for students. Dr. Miller is a psychometrician who has specialized in large-scale assessment and mathematics education.

Dr. Miller presented her preliminary findings at the Mathematics and Assessment Seminar Series held at UPEI earlier this month. Once her findings are complete, she will work with staff at the department to provide teachers with a resource that will identify problem areas as well as provide teaching tips on how to overcome these areas.

The PEI provincial common assessments provide unique information that gives an overall picture of how we are doing in math as a province. The results can guide planning and selection of appropriate teaching strategies. These assessments have engaged and energized both students and teachers, and now several schools across the province have launched action plans that work for their individual school.