Process Strand 6: Solves Problems and Reasons Logically - Item Specification (8-2005)

SR03 (Analyze Information) Interpret and compare numerical, measurement, geometric, probability and statistical, and/or algebraic information from a variety of sources (3.1.1)

Item Format:

· Multiple-Choice and Short-Answer items may be used to test this learning target.

Stimulus, Stem, and Prompt Rules:

· Stimulus may include tables, charts, graphs, maps, diagrams, 2- and 3-dimensional figures, statistics, data, and other mathematical information.
· Negative integers may be used in items dealing with temperature or money.
· Stimulus may include ideas from number sense, measurement, geometric sense, probability and statistics, and algebraic sense.

Mathematical Vocabulary and Terms:

· All vocabulary and terms allowed and restricted in content strand specifications apply to Solves Problems and Reasons Logically items.
· Terms that may be used: agree, disagree
· Terms that may be used with definitions or examples: analyze, compare (tell how they are alike and/or different), interpret
· Terms that may not be used: conflicting, contradictory, discrepancy

Item Characteristics:

a) Items may ask students to analyze or interpret mathematical information or results.
b) Items may ask students to compare mathematical information in text, graphs, tables, diagrams, and/or pictorial representations.
c) Items may ask students to identify the agreement or differences between information, diagrams, and/or pictorial representations.
d) Items may ask students to compare patterns or trends shown by data or other information.