Spring 2010 NATIONAL LATIN EXAM SPQR NEWSLETTER SPQR

VOL. XXVI, No. 2 Spring 2010 NATIONAL LATIN EXAM SPQR NEWSLETTER SPQR

ACL/NJCL NATIONAL LATIN EXAM REPORT 2010

In 2010 more than 150,000 students applied to take the thirty-third National Latin Exam. Participation in the Exam has increased each year since its inception in 1977, when approximately 6,000 students enrolled. Students from all fifty states participated this year, as did students from 13 foreign countries, including Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, Poland, United Kingdom and Zimbabwe. This year for the first time, students from Singapore also took the NLE. In addition, students in one U.S. territory, the U.S. Virgin Islands, participated this year. During the second week in March, over 138,000 students in 2,743 schools took the National Latin Exam in their own schools, and the exam was administered in 21 colleges and 11 elementary schools. Also participating were 1,694 students from 335 home schools. This year 945 more students took the exam than in 2009. The breakdown of awards for each exam (the number correct out of forty) is shown below, above each category. continued on page 2

LEVEL TOTAL PERFECT GOLD SILVER MAGNA CUM TOTAL AWARDS Intro 17,655 795 4,682 ribbons, Cert. of Outst. Achievement for 37-40 2,680 Cert. of Achievement for 35-36 7,362

Latin I 35-40 32-34 30-31 27-29 51,907 269 4,927 5,213 4,589 7,732 22,461

Latin II 35-40 32-34 30-31 27-29 34,931 173 3,508 3,757 3,233 5,372 15,870

Latin III 33-40 30-32 28-29 26-27 14,842 14 1,205 1,690 1,718 1,964 6,577

Prose III 34-40 32-33 30-31 27-29 4,490 6 444 392 418 712 1,966

Poetry III 35-40 32-34 29-31 25-28 1,916 4 198 186 227 310 921

Prose IV 34-40 32-33 30-31 27-29 3,101 6 303 247 321 594 1,465

Poetry IV 36-40 34-35 32-33 29-31 6,760 81 940 617 638 1,036 3,231

Latin V 35-40 32-34 30-31 28-29 2,284 12 291 242 223 210 966

Latin VI 37-40 34-36 32-33 29-31 284 3 47 42 25 35 149

Totals 138,170 1,363 11,863 12,386 11,392 17,965 53,606 Exam Report 2010 continued from page 1 There were 568 perfect papers in Latin I-VI. A answer sheets would be mailed by the United Parcel congratulatory letter has been sent to the principal of Service to the Exam administrator or principal by February each school with copies for the student, the Latin teacher, 20, 2010. and the student’s permanent record. In addition, a Clement Testing Service mailed out the exams, answer special hand-lettered certificate was sent to each of these sheets, and instructions and scored the returned answer students. The twenty students who have three years of sheets. The company also mailed out the results, awards, perfect papers, the four students who have four years of exam answers, and a congratulatory letter to the teacher perfect papers and the one student who has five years of by April 20, 2010. A copy of the congratulatory letter for perfect papers are being sent the Carter Stubbs Drake the principal was included in this package. The national Goad Memorial Book Award in addition to the special percent correct for each question is included as well as the certificate. percent correct on each question for the individual school. In the Introduction to Latin Exam, which was taken Both percentages are being provided in order to help by 17,655 students, 7,362 students won awards. As the teachers and students assess strengths and weaknesses. average number correct on this Exam was 34, students The members of the NLE Advisory Committee are who scored 35-36 correct out of forty received Certificates Susan McDonald, Chair (FL), Nancy Czupik (OH), Liane of Achievement, and scores of 37-40 received Certificates Houghtalin (VA), Caroline Switzer Kelly (NC), Stephen of Outstanding Achievement and purple ribbons. The 795 Lee Pearce (LA), Tom Sienkewicz (IL), James Updegraff students who answered all 40 questions correctly were sent (CA), Matthew Webb (NH), Sandra Woodward (UT) a special congratulatory letter from the NLE Committee. and Athanasia Worley (KS). They will be meeting at the There were 942 seniors who won gold medals on the 2010 ACL Institute to review and discuss the 2010 exam. Latin III, III-IV Prose, III-IV Poetry, or the Latin V-VI The members of this Committee represent the various Exam. These students are eligible for one of the twenty- geographic areas of the country, middle and high schools, one $1000 scholarships, including one from an anonymous colleges, and public and private schools. donor. In addition, a $2000 scholarship will be awarded The National Association of Secondary School for post graduate study leading to the teaching of Latin Principals has voted to place the National Latin Exam on and/or Greek at the elementary, intermediate, or high the Advisory List of National Contests and Activities for school level. These scholarship awards and those for 2010-2011. This list will be distributed to all secondary the National Greek Exam will be announced by NLE schools in the United States in September of 2010. Scholarship Chair, Ephy Howard, at the ACL Institute For the Introduction to Latin, Latin I, II, III, III/IV at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC, in Prose, and III/IV Poetry exams, there are 40 multiple- June. The National Latin Exam Scholarship Committee, choice questions on grammar, comprehension, mythology, formed in 1983, consists of Ephy Howard, Chair, and derivatives, literature, Roman life, history, and geography. members Conrad Barrett, Judith de Luce, Gaylan DuBose, The Latin V-VI exam contains two Latin passages as Edith Foster, Sue Gillen and Sandra Woodward. Linda the basis for 40 multiple-choice questions on grammar, S. Montross serves as the Scholarship Liaison. The comprehension, historical background, classical literature, scholarship recipients from 2009, 2008, and 2007, are and literary devices. The time limit for the exams is 45 eligible for an additional $1000 if they continue their study minutes. of Latin and/or Greek. In 2009, the National Latin Exam The Steering/Writing Committee consists of Jane H. awarded $44,000 in scholarships. Hall, (Co-Chair), Mark Keith, (Co-Chair), Joe Davenport, The Maureen O’Donnell Oxford Classical Dictionary Sally Davis, Elizabeth Heimbach, Ian Hochberg, Patricia Award, given to students who win four gold medals, is Lister, Betty Merrill (Newsletter), Linda Montross, being sent to 474 students this year in recognition of their and David Winn. Christine Sleeper, one of the original outstanding achievement. The 83 students who have won founders of the NLE, has been honored with Emerita five gold medals will be sent special book awards. The status. The committee began writing the exams in the 2010 PERFECT PAPER and GOLD MEDAL winners will spring of 2009. By the middle of August it began the be published in Torch U.S., the publication of the National difficult task of reviewing each exam with respect to the Junior Classical League. level of difficulty, accuracy, and content. After several In August, the National Latin Exam office sent the revisions, the exams were sent to consultants Michael application for the 2010 National Latin Exam to teachers Bales, Sheila Dickison, John Donohue, Kathy Elifrits, who participated in the 2009 NLE. Upon receipt of Kevin Gushman, Ruth Haukeland, David Perry, and the application and payment, a postcard was sent from Wallace Ragan for their in-depth critiques. Acting upon the NLE office to the teacher, verifying the number of their suggestions, the Committee made further revisions. applicants and informing the teacher that the exams and After a final reading and revision, 167,000 copies of the

2 continued on page 9 Gaudeamus Igitur: Christine Sleeper

Christine Fernald Sleeper is among the original “founding mothers” who gave birth to the National Latin Exam in 1976. This group of women included Jane H. Hall, Maureen O’Donnell, Sally Davis, Linda Montross and Marty Abbott. The NLE thanks Christine for her many contributions over the years and is proud to recognize her with EMERITA status. At 93 she is still involved in the affairs of the NLE. She was born in Nottingham, New Hampshire, on September 20, 1916, the only daughter among her parents’ seven children. Until 1927 she attended school in Nottingham, followed by schooling at the Robinson Female Seminary in Exeter. Upon her graduation in 1934, she entered the University of New Hampshire, from which she graduated in 1938 with a major in French and minors in Latin and English. She received her Masters from Radcliffe in 1939 and spent the next two years teaching Latin and French at Pinkerton Academy in Derry. From 1941-1943 she taught in Lexington, Massachusetts. Christine was fascinated with the idea of flying, and, in 1941, she obtained her private pilot’s license. She had been the lone female in the class of twenty applicants. Putting her teaching career on hold with the outbreak of WWII, she accepted a position at Boston’s Logan Airport as an assistant air traffic controller. By December 1944, Christine had joined the American Red Cross and saw service in Italy and France. She married West Point grad Raymond Sleeper in 1946 and became an Army wife. She was the mother to six children. When Ray retired in 1969, they settled in Virginia. Christine began her teaching career in Fairfax County Public Schools at Herndon High School in 1970. She retired in 2000. Throughout her long life Christine has demonstrated an adventurous spirit, a passion for learning, a love of friends and family. All of these are exemplified by her personal motto CARPE DIEM!

**** ATTENTION ALL FORMER NLE SCHOLARS! ****

The National Latin Exam Newsletter is in the process of publishing a series of articles featuring former scholarship winners who have completed their undergraduate studies. NLE and the international Latin community are interested in you and would love follow-up information about your lives and careers. Please send us at the address below a brief account about where you are and what you are doing.

[email protected] or National Latin Exam University of Mary Washington 1301 College Avenue Fredericksburg, VA 22401

3 MEMBERS OF SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE Ephy Howard, Chair Conrad Barrett Judith de Luce [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Gaylan DuBose Edith Foster Sue L. Gillen [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Sandra Woodward Linda Montross, Liaison to the Scholars [email protected] [email protected]

NATIONAL LATIN EXAM STEERING/WRITING COMMITTEE

These are the committee members who meet throughout the year to discuss, write, fine-tune, and proof the exams. These are all seasoned Latin teachers who have experience using a wide variety of textbooks and methods.

Jane H. Hall, Co-Chair Mark Keith, Co-Chair Joe Davenport [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Sally Davis Betty Merrill, Newsletter Linda Montross [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Elizabeth Heimbach Ian Hochberg Patricia Lister [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

David Winn Christine Sleeper, EMERITA [email protected]

CHECK OUT THE NLE WEBSITE! www.nle.org UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION ON: The 2010 Exams and Answers Results, Awards, Statistics, and Scholarship Information for 2010 Our Application for 2011 Special Instructions for Home-Schoolers Copies of the 1999-2010 Exams The Syllabus for Each Level Contact Information for the NLE Committees and Consultants FORUM ROMANUM Videos, DVD, and Scripts Links to ACL and Other Classical Organizations

4 BLOCK SCHEDULING RESULTS FOR 2010 NATIONAL LATIN EXAM Again on the 2010 NLE application, teachers were asked to indicate if they taught on a semester-block (4 by 4) schedule. Of the students taking the exam, 5363 in 155 schools were taught on this type schedule. These students’ test scores were examined and compared with the mean scores of students on traditional schedules. The results are below:

Block + Non Block Non Block Block Number of Mean Number of Mean Number of Mean Students Score Students Score Students Score INTRO 17,672 34 17,155 34 517 31

LATIN I 51,975 26 49,772 26 2,203 24

LATIN II 34,554 26 33,123 26 1,431 24 LATIN III 14,940 25 14,253 25 687 23

PROSE III 4,412 26 4,354 26 58 23

PROSE IV 3,098 26 2,977 26 121 25 POETRY III 1,986 24 1,913 24 73 24

POETRY IV 7,267 28 7,083 28 184 27

LATIN V 2,278 27 2,220 27 58 26

LATIN VI 329 28 298 28 31 29

TOTALS 138,511 27 133,148 27 5,363 26

THE 2010 NLE SCORES OF HOME SCHOOLED STUDENTS According to the 2010 NLE applications, 1694 students taking the exam were taught in 335 home schools. These students’ test scores were examined and compared with the mean scores of students in traditional schools. The results are below.

Home Sch + Traditional Traditional Home School Number of Mean Number of Mean Number of Mean Students Score Students Score Students Score INTRO 17,672 34 17,078 34 594 34

LATIN I 51,975 26 51,361 26 614 28

LATIN II 34,554 26 34,132 26 422 30 LATIN III 14,940 25 14,809 25 131 28

PROSE III 4,412 26 4,359 26 53 29

PROSE IV 3,098 26 3,068 26 30 30

POETRY III 1,986 24 1,982 24 4 30

POETRY IV 7,267 28 7,251 28 16 30

LATIN V 2,278 27 2,268 27 10 32

LATIN VI 329 28 324 28 5 31

TOTALS 138,511 27 136,817 27 1,694 30

5 The HARD Ones and the EASY Ones: 2010 The HARD Ones and the EASY Ones: 2010 These are the questions which proved to be the most challenging and the easiest on each of the levels of Thesethe 2010 are National the questions Latin Exam: which proved to be the most challenging and the easiest on each of the levels of the 2010 National Latin Exam:

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION T TOO L ALATINTIN

Language Questions

Hard: 16. Est rīvus in īnsulā et aqua in rīvō est _____. A) bonam B) bonā C) bona D) bonae (35% knew that C is the correct answer.)

Easy: 14. Duo amīcī in īnsulā habitant. A) The friends B) Good friends C) Many friends D) The two friends (96% knew that D is the correct answer.)

Other Questions

Hard: 23. Which Latin motto could well accompany an official warning? A) Ab ovo usque ad mala B) Dum spiro spero C) Amor omnia vincit D) Verbum sapienti sat est (28% knew that D is the correct answer.) 6 Easy: 25. Who was Odysseus’ wife who waited twenty years for his return from the Trojan War? A) Circe B) Penelope C) Medea D) Eurydic (78% knew that B is the correct answer.)

LATIN III

Grammar Questions

Hard: 8. Apud nōs omnēs bene cēnant. A) At our house B) On account of us C) Among ours D) For us (26% knew that A is the correct answer.)

Easy: 6. Pater fīliīs imperāvit nē ad flūmen īrent. A) The sons told their father to go to the river. B) The father ordered his sons not to go to the river. C) The father was not commanded to go with his sons to the river. D) The father did not ask his sons to leave the river. (89% knew that B is the correct answer.)

Other Questions Hard: 20. An ancient Roman discussing conclāmātiō, rogus, imāginēs, toga pulla, and laudātiō would most likely be speaking of a A) funeral B) wedding C) coming of age ceremony D) birthday (13% knew that A is the correct answer.)

Easy: 23. According to its Latin root, agenda means things A) to be remembered B) to find C) to be done D) to list (71% knew that C is the correct answer.)

PROSE III AND IV

Grammar Questions

Hard: 8. Semper contrā hostēs _____ ūsus sum. A) clēmentia B) clēmentiae C) clēmentium D) clēmentiā (31% knew that D is the correct answer.)

Easy: 10. Mārcus Antōnius in Forō crās ōrātiōnem habēbit. A) will stop the speech B) will give a speech C) will avoid the speech D) will hear a speech (89% knew that B is the correct answer.)

LATIN II LATIN II Grammar Questions Grammar Questions Hard: 7. Puellae cum sorōribus ad fīnitimum oppidum eunt. A) are going B) will go C) went D) had gone Hard: 7. Puellae cum sorōribus ad fīnitimum oppidum eunt. A) are going B) will go C) went D) had gone H(32%ard: knew 7. Puellae that A cumis the sor correctōribus answer.) ad fīnitimum oppidum eunt. A) are going B) will go C) went D) had gone (32% knew that A is the correct answer.) Easy: 1. Prōserpina cum Plūtōne tōtum annum nōn manet. A) for the whole year B) in the whole year Easy: 1. Prōserpina cum Plūtōne tōtum annum nōn manet. A) for the whole year B) in the whole year EC)a sofy: the 1. wholePrōserpina year cum D) after Plūt ōa newhole tōtum year annum (84% nō knewn manet. that AA) is for the the correct whole answer.) year B) in the whole year C) of the whole year D) after a whole year (84% knew that A is the correct answer.) Other Questions Other Questions Hard: 23. Which Latin motto could well accompany an official warning? A) Ab ovo usque ad mala Hard: 23. Which Latin motto could well accompany an official warning? A) Ab ovo usque ad mala B)Ha rDumd: 23. spiro Which spero Latin C) Amormotto omniacould wellvincit accompany D) Verbum an sapientiofficial warnsat esting? (28% A) knew Ab ovo that usque D is thead malacorrect B) Dum spiro spero C) Amor omnia vincit D) Verbum sapienti sat est (28% knew that D is the correct B)answer.) Dum spiro spero C) Amor omnia vincit D) VerbumLATIN IIsapienti cont. sat est (28% knew that D is the correct answer.) Easy: 25. Who was Odysseus’ wife who waited twenty years for his return from the Trojan War? Easy: 25. Who was Odysseus’ wife who waited twenty years for his return from the Trojan War? A)Eas Circey: 25. B)Who Penelope was Odysseus’ C) Medea wife D) who Eurydic waited (78% twenty knew years that for B his is thereturn correct from answer.) the Trojan War? A) Circe B) Penelope C) Medea D) Eurydic (78% knew that B is the correct answer.) LATINLATIN IIIIII LATIN III Grammar Questions Grammar Questions Hard: 8. Apud nōs omnēs bene cēnant. A) At our house B) On account of us C) Among ours D) For us Hard: 8. Apud nōs omnēs bene cēnant. A) At our house B) On account of us C) Among ours D) For us H(26%ard: knew 8. Apud that nAō sis omn the ēcorrects bene answer.)cēnant. A) At our house B) On account of us C) Among ours D) For us (26% knew that A is the correct answer.) Easy: 6. Pater fīliīs imperāvit nē ad flūmen īrent. A) The sons told their father to go to the river. B) The father Easy: 6. Pater fīliīs imperāvit nē ad flūmen īrent. A) The sons told their father to go to the river. B) The father Eorderedasy: 6. his Pater sons f īnotliīs toimper go toāvit the n ēriver. ad fl ū C)men The īrent father. A) was The not sons commanded told their fatherto go withto go his to sonsthe river. to the B) river. The father ordered his sons not to go to the river. C) The father was not commanded to go with his sons to the river. D)ordered The fatherhis sons did not not to ask go histo thesons river. to leave C) Thethe river.father (89%was not knew commanded that B is theto go correct with hisanswer.) sons to the river. D) The father did not ask his sons to leave the river. (89% knew that B is the correct answer.) Other Questions Other Questions Hard: 20. An ancient Roman discussing conclāmOāthtieōr, Qrougeussti,o inmsā ginēs, toga pulla, and laudātiō would most Hard: 20. An ancient Roman discussing conclāmātiō, rogus, imāginēs, toga pulla, and laudātiō would most likelyHard: be20. speaking An ancient of a Roman A) funeral discussing B) wedding conclā m C)āt icomingō, rogus of, i mageāg iceremonynēs, toga p u D)lla ,birthday and laud ā t i ō would most likely be speaking of a A) funeral B) wedding C) coming of age ceremony D) birthday (13%likely knewbe speaking that A ofis thea A)correct funeral answer.) B) wedding C) coming of age ceremony D) birthday (13% knew that A is the correct answer.) Easy: 23. According to its Latin root, agenda means things A) to be remembered B) to find C) to be done Easy: 23. According to its Latin root, agenda means things A) to be remembered B) to find C) to be done ED)as toy: list 23. (71% According knew thatto its C Latin is the root, correct age answer.)nda means things A) to be remembered B) to find C) to be done D) to list (71% knew that C is the correct answer.) PROSE III AND IV PROSEPROSE IIIIII AANDND I VIV Grammar Questions Grammar Questions Hard: 8. Semper contrā hostēs _____ ūsus sum. A) clēmentia B) clēmentiae C) clēmentium D) clēmentiā Hard: 8. Semper contrā hostēs _____ ūsus sum. A) clēmentia B) clēmentiae C) clēmentium D) clēmentiā H(31%ard: knew 8. Semper that D contr is theā correcthostēs _____answer.) ūsus sum. A) clēmentia B) clēmentiae C) clēmentium D) clēmentiā (31% knew that D is the correct answer.) Easy: 10. Mārcus Antōnius in Forō crās ōrātiōnem habēbit. A) will stop the speech B) will give a speech Easy: 10. Mārcus Antōnius in Forō crās ōrātiōnem habēbit. A) will stop the speech B) will give a speech C)Ea swilly: 10. avoid Mā rcusthe speech Antōnius D) inwill For hearō cr āas speech ōrātiōnem (89% hab knewēbit. that A) Bwill is thestop correct the speech answer.) B) will give a speech C) will avoid the speech D) will hear a speech (89% knew that B is the correct answer.)

Other Qu estions Other Qu estions Hard: 20. Bithynia, Pontus, and Cilicia were Roman provinces located in A) Hispania B) Africa C) Asia Hard: 20. Bithynia, Pontus, and Cilicia were Roman provinces located in A) Hispania B) Africa C) Asia D) Gallia (26% knew that C is the correct answer.) D) Gallia (26% knew that C is the correct answer.) Easy: 28. What is the term for the mythological creature that is half-man and half-horse? A) satyr B) griffin Easy: 28. What is the term for the mythological creature that is half-man and half-horse? A) satyr B) griffin C) centaur D) triton (88% knew that C is the correct answer.) C) centaur D) triton (88% knew that C is the correct answer.) POETRYPOETRY IIIIII ANDAND IIVV POETRY III AND IV Grammar Questions Grammar Questions Hard: 5. Hic ōrātor saepe spērābat mīrificē sē locūtum esse. A) that he was speaking B) that he would speak Hard: 5. Hic r tor saepe sp r bat m rific s loc tum esse. A) that he was speaking B) that he would speak C) that he had ōspokenā D) thatē heā was īspeakingē ē to ūhimself (32% knew that C is the correct answer.) C) that he had spoken D) that he was speaking to himself (32% knew that C is the correct answer.) Easy: 11. Cēdāmus Phoebō et meliōra sequāmur. A) better things B) the greatest things C) more things Easy: 11. C d mus Phoeb et meli ra sequ mur. A) better things B) the greatest things C) more things D) the most importantē ā thingsō (82%ō knew thatā A is the correct answer.) D) the most important things (82% knew that A is the correct answer.) Other Questions Hard: 26. Ubinam gentium sunt Bīthynia, Pontus,Ot hete rPhrygia? Question s A) in Eurōpā B) in Galliā C) in Germāniā Hard: 26. Ubinam gentium sunt Bīthynia, Pontus, et Phrygia? A) in Eurōpā B) in Galliā C) in Germāniā D) in Asiā (45% knew that D is the correct answer.) D) in Asiā (45% knew that D is the correct answer.) Easy: 20. A ferrous compound contains A) lead B) gold C) silver D) iron Easy: 20. A ferrous compound contains A) lead B) gold C) silver D) iron (87% knew that D is the correct answer.) (87% knew that D is the correct answer.) 7 THE NLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE The NLE Advisory Committee will meet in June 2010, during the ACL Institute at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The members of this committee represent the various geographic areas of the country, from both public and private middle schools, high schools, and colleges. Please feel free to contact any of these members with your comments, suggestions, questions, or concerns about the National Latin Exam. Your concerns will be discussed at the meeting in June.

Members of the NLE Advisory Committee - 2010

Susan McDonald, Chair 10054 Glenmore Avenue Bradenton, FL 34202 Phone: 941-355-6179 [email protected]

Nancy M. Czupik Stephen Lee Pearce Matthew Webb 27003 Wolf Road Dunelm Cottage 45 Chestnut Cove Road Bay Village, OH 44140 830 Elysian Fields Alton, NH 03809 Phone: 440-892-8949 New Orleans, LA 70117-8514 603-300-2911 [email protected] 504-286-2600 [email protected] [email protected] Liane Houghtalin Tom Sienkewicz Sandra Woodward Trinkle Hall 240 Monmouth College Classics Department 2881 Sable Avenue University of Mary Washington 700 E. Broadway Salt Lake City, UT 84118 Fredericksburg, VA 22401 Monmouth, IL 61462 801-964-8252 540-654-1345 309-457-2371 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Caroline Switzer Kelly James Updegraff Athanasia Worley 7240 Rolling Ridge Drive The Bishop’s School 8926 Riley St. Charlotte, NC 28211 7607 La Jolla Blvd. Overland Park, KS 66212 704-779-0161 La Jolla, CA 92037 913-825-2734 [email protected] 858-459-4021, x295 [email protected] [email protected]

THE NATIONAL LATIN EXAM CONSULTANTS

Every fall the Consultants critique the exams and offer suggestions for improvement to the Steering/ Writing Committee. Their ideas and contributions are invaluable in the process of preparing the exams for distribution to national and international Latin students. Martha Abbott Michael Bales Sheila K. Dickison John Donohue [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Kathy Elifrits Kevin Gushman Ruth Haukeland Nancy Llewellyn [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] nancy.llewellyn@ wyomingcatholicollege.com David Perry Wallace Ragan [email protected] [email protected]

8 Exam Report 2010 continued from page 2 exams were printed. is also available from the TMRC in Oxford, Ohio. The 2010 exam required eleven working sessions The NLE web site, which is maintained by Cindy averaging three and a half hours each to complete the Caltagirone, contains the 2010 exams, the syllabus, and the work associated with the exams. In addition to the general newsletters. Members of the various committees connected working sessions, each Committee member spent countless with the NLE and FORUM ROMANUM scripts are hours taking care of specific tasks such as writing exam posted on the site. The address for the web site is questions, answering correspondence, word processing, www.nle.org. record keeping, publicizing the exam, ordering supplies, The National Latin Exam is located at the and writing newsletter articles. University of Mary Washington, 1301 College Ave, The NLE Office Manager Janine Kuty, Fredericksburg, VA 22401; Tel 1-888-378-7721; email: Administrative Assistant Ellen Smith, Data Entry Specialist [email protected] Rose McCreary, and student aide Matt Wallace tended The Committee wishes to extend a special thank- to numerous NLE matters such as registering schools for you to all the hardworking Latin teachers and their students the exam, processing exam fees, answering daily phone who have helped to make the National Latin Exam a calls and e-mails, handling bookkeeping, and mailing success. newsletters, postcards, Awards Letters, and Perfect Paper Certificates. The tip sheet which was sent out with the The chart given below indicates the states with the greatest application continues to have a very positive effect. Many number of students taking the 2010 exam and those showing more applications came in December, and there were not the greatest increase in percentage of those participating. as many frantic calls about needing more exams and/or answer sheets. Copies of the four previous exams and the National Latin Exam Syllabus are available for purchase from the The states with the greatest number of American Classical League office in Oxford, Ohio for students taking the 2010 Exams: $9.00, or online at the NLE Web Site www.nle.org The NLE again asked teachers to indicate on the Massachusetts 12,267 2010 application if their schools were on semester block New York 11,579 schedule or if their students were home-schooled. The Virginia 10,258 results are in the spring 2010 Newsletter. New Jersey 9,000 The postmark deadline for the 2011 NLE Texas 8,711 application is January 18, 2011. The price for the 2011 Pennsylvania 8,480 exam is $4.00 per exam, $6.00 foreign, $10.00 minimum Ohio 7,807 order, plus a $10 charge for postage and handling. California 7,219 The philosophy of the National Latin Exam is Connecticut 6,113 predicated on providing every Latin student the opportunity Georgia 5,229 to experience a sense of personal accomplishment and success in his study of the Latin language and culture. This opportunity exists for all students since, in the National The states with the greatest % increase in Latin Exam, they are not competing with their fellow number of students students on a comparative basis, but are evaluated solely on taking the 2010 Exams: their own performance on the exam. The basic purposes of the NLE are to promote the study of Latin and to encourage Montana 75% the individual student. Alaska 63% The NLE-sponsored Latin news program, entitled South Dakota 62% FORUM ROMANUM, twenty-four ten-minute programs New Hampshire 56% presented entirely in Latin by experienced Latin teachers, Washington 28% continues to receive enthusiastic reviews from Latin Kentucky 26% teachers across the nation. FORUM ROMANUM is Minnesota 23% available on DVD and video and can be purchased from the Michigan 20% American Classical League Teaching Materials & Resource Arizona 19% Center. John Donohue, author of the series, has written an Hawaii 16% activity book to accompany FORUM ROMANUM which 9 DEAR NELLY

Dear Nelly,

Since our School missed many days this winter due to inclement weather, our students didn’t have as much time to prepare for the National Latin Exam. When this happens, are we permitted to delay our testing date until after the final NLE testing date? Wondering in Winston

Dear Wondering,

The last date that the National Latin Exam may be taken is the final Friday of the NLE testing window. (That date for the 2011 exam will be March 18.) Since the exams are released to the Latin teachers the following week, they then become public knowledge. We hope you understand that if your students take the exam after the final testing date, the NLE will not score your exams nor will your students be eligible for awards.

Dear Nelly,

My students felt that this year’s exams were more difficult than usual. What gives? Is the NLE out to get the students?

Suspicious in Suffolk

Dear Suspicious,

The National Latin Exam is never “out to get students!” As a matter of fact, we are the students’ greatest allies. Our primary goal is to encourage the study of Latin by increasing the students’ confidence and sense of accomplishment. The committee members who write the exams spend a great deal of time each year trying to make sure that the exam questions are fair and appropriate for each level. Every year the scores are re-centered based on the average number of correct answers for each level. This “curving of the grades” means that our distribution of awards remains consistent from year to year even when the difficulty of the tests fluctuates.

Dear Nelly,

If the NLE is the National LATIN Exam, why do the exams include history, geography, mythology, and culture questions? Why don’t they just test LATIN?

Miffed in Memphis

Dear Miffed,

The National Latin Exam believes that the primary goal and reward of studying Latin is to read and appreciate Latin literature. How can anyone do that without an understanding of the ancient world? How can the writings of Latin authors such as Caesar, Cicero, Vergil, Catullus, Ovid, or Horace make sense to students if they don’t understand the history, geography, mythology, and culture reflected in every line of these great works? Latin cannot be taught in a vacuum; to teach Latin is to teach the ancient world. We are unable to separate the two.

10 Dear Nelly,

My school received two packages of exams this year, one for our original order and one for our add-on order. The problem was that each package had its own school code, so we didn’t know which one to use for our students. Why did we get a different school code for our add-on order? Confused in Columbus

Dear Confused,

You received a second school code because you used a regular application for your add-on order instead of the special add-on application which is available on our website (www.nle.org). When schools use the regular application for additional orders, the NLE office codes the second application as a new order since there is no indication on that application that it is an add-on to the original order. It is for this reason that your school received two school codes, which caused confusion for your school, our office, and our testing service. Since the add-on application is relatively new, we plan to add a line to the regular application that it is not to be used for add-on orders.

Dear Nelly,

As soon as my students took the exam, my proctor released them to me. When I contacted the NLE office regarding a question I had about a particular exam, I was told that I shouldn’t have access to the exams yet. I’m so sorry! I immediately returned the exams to the proctor. How long is the proctor supposed to keep the exams before releasing them to me?

Mortified in Mobile

Dear Mortified,

Please be aware that teachers are not to receive the exams until the Tuesday after the final testing date. It is the proctor’s responsibility to mail the answer sheets on the same day the exam is given and to secure the exams themselves until the date mentioned when they can be released to the Latin teachers. These instructions are included on the blue “Instructions for Examiner” sheet that all proctors receive. Please choose your proctor wisely and make sure he/she understands that all instructions must be followed precisely to ensure that your students receive proper recognition for their success on the National Latin Exam.

Dear Nelly,

One of our students was sick on exam day and missed taking the NLE. He is one of our top students. Is there any provision for make-up exams on later dates?

Hopeful in Houston

Dear Hopeful,

Unfortunately, the NLE does not allow any make-up exams. In order to protect the integrity of the exams, proctors are instructed to return all answer sheets (used and unused) on the day of the exam. If your student would like to take the exam for his own personal challenge, he can take it unofficially after the Tuesday following the final testing date. This means that you would use the answer key to grade his exam, and your school could give him an award if he does well. The NLE would not grade the exam nor would it furnish its official awards, but the student would still have the experience of taking the exam.

11 National Latin Exam University of Mary Washington 1301 College Avenue Fredericksburg, VA 22401

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QUESTIONS? QUESTIONS? QUESTIONS? NLE Phone Number: 1-888-378-7721 Clement Testing Service Number: 1-800-459-9847 [email protected] www.nle.org

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National Latin Exam University of Mary Washington 1301 College Avenue . Fredericksburg, VA 22401