Aurora University to host review sessions for state test

AURORA, Ill. August 7, 2006 - Aurora University will host four seminars in August and September to prepare students for the Illinois State Board of Education Basic Skills Test on Sept. 9.

The public is invited to the series sponsored by AU's Learning Center. Advance registration is required. The cost is $20 for the public and free to AU students and alumni.

The schedule is:

• Aug. 26: A test overview, test-taking strategy, and reading comprehension will be discussed from 10 a.m. to noon.
• Aug. 29: Math I - word problems, proportions, algebra, pre-algebra skills, and logic - will be reviewed from 6 to 8 p.m.
• Aug. 31: Math II - geometry, statistics, graphing, combined skills - will be topics from 6 to 8 p.m.
• Sept. 6: Language arts and writing will be reviewed from 6 to 8 p.m.

Eric Schwarze, Learning 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 Sept. 9 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.

Schwarze estimated that more than 300 students have taken the workshops since their inception in 2001. 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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