Aurora University to host review sessions for state test

AURORA, Ill. May 24, 2006 - Aurora University will host three June seminars to prepare students to take the Illinois State Board of Education Basic Skills Test on June 24.

The public is invited to the series sponsored by AU's Learning Center at the campus at 347 S. Gladstone Ave. in Aurora. campus. Advance registration is required. The cost is $20 for the public and free to AU students and alumni.

The schedule is:

• June 6: A test overview, test-taking strategy, reading comprehension, and Math I will be discussed from 6 to 8 p.m.
• June 17: Math II, geometry, statistics, combined skills, and graphing will be detailed from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• June 21: Language arts and writing will be covered from 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Eric Schwarze, center director, said instruction, practice problems, and handout materials are included.

Education and social work majors who hope to work in public school systems are required to pass the five-hour Basic Skills test to be certified.

Students may take the seminars to prepare for the next state test date on June 24 or for future test dates, Schwarze said.

He said the AU Learning Center also provides one-on-one tutoring for the test to AU students at no charge.

He estimated that about 300 students have taken the workshops since their inception in 2001.

”Students who have taken these sessions have found them to be accurate and helpful,” said Schwarze, who designed the workshops after taking the state test.

“The review sessions will discuss important concepts, suggest strategies, provide and solve sample problems, and address questions about the test.

“The goal of the series is to build students’ confidence and reduce anxiety, in part by helping them realize which skills are needed to pass the test.”

He stressed that the sessions are for students taking the Basic Skills Test, not specific subject tests in elementary education, social work, history, and nursing.

To register or for information call 630-844-5520.

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