Regents' Math

Regents' practice test with new math section to be given at Georgia Highlands College

By Jonathan Godfrey
Staff Writer

Georgia Highlands College has been selected as one of the colleges in Georgia to administrate field-testing for the math section that is in hopes to soon be added to the Regents' Test.

The purpose in giving these tests is to try out some of the questions that might appear on the math part of the Regents' Test when it is completed. The real test will be constructed based on the results of the item analysis.

Two classes in the Social and Cultural Division at Georgia Highlands College are expected to give these test items sometime in the fall 2002 semester.

"The intent was to identify courses that generally have sophomores enrolled so that it can be determined how a student who has accumulated about forty-five hours will do on the test," said Dr. Virginia Carson, Vice President for Academic affairs at Georgia Highlands College.

Along with the math items, the writing and reading examinations that are already in existence on the Regents' Test will be given at the same administration.

Carson stated that preparation for the field test would be unproductive, stating, "The test development committee needs some feedback on how a cross-section of students perform on certain questions."

It is not yet known if it will be possible to provide results for the students who complete the field test.

No official date has been set for the math item testing, but it is expected to be near Thanksgiving.

The Office of Regents' Testing in Atlanta is responsible for coordinating the field tests and setting the appropriate dates for them.

First-time college students entering in the fall 2003 semester are expected to be the first to take the math addition to the Regents' Test when it is completed.

Carson added, "There is a great appreciation from the many people working to create this examination, to the faculty and students who participate in the field tests."