Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) TExES Practice Exam

What is the best method for assessing students' process skills in math?

1. Have students exchange papers and check the work

2. Design a checklist for self-assessment

3. Grade each paper on process and product

4. Allow students to redo the problems carefully

The correct answer is: Design a checklist for self-assessment

Designing a checklist for self-assessment provides students with the opportunity to reflect on their own learning and understanding of process skills in math. This method encourages students to evaluate the steps they took to arrive at a solution, emphasizing the importance of the mathematical processes rather than just the final answer. By using a checklist, students can identify their strengths and areas for improvement in their problem-solving techniques, thereby fostering a growth mindset. This method also promotes self-regulation and metacognition, as students become more aware of their thinking processes. It allows them to take ownership of their learning by actively engaging in self-evaluation. Additionally, a checklist can be tailored to specific learning objectives, ensuring that students focus on the essential skills being assessed. Other options, while useful in different contexts, do not provide the same level of self-reflection and ownership over one’s learning. For example, exchanging papers allows for peer review but may not be as effective in helping students understand their own process skills. Grading each paper on process and product assesses performance but may not encourage students to engage deeply with their own learning process. Allowing students to redo problems is constructive but may not provide a structured way for them to assess their own skills critically.