Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) Subject Area Practice Test

The most valuable assessment in this context focuses on the student's fundamental understanding of subtraction. The fact that the student calculated 785-143 and arrived at 544 indicates a misunderstanding of basic subtraction principles rather than simply making a careless error. This shows that the student likely does not have mastery of basic subtraction facts, as the ability to accurately perform such operations is foundational for further mathematical learning.

When students struggle with basic computations like this, it suggests that they may not have internalized the concept of borrowing in subtraction, which is essential for accurate calculations involving larger numbers. Mastery of basic subtraction facts is critical, and failure to achieve this reflects a need for further instruction and practice in this area.

Thus, highlighting that the student does not have mastery of basic subtraction facts provides a clear direction for the necessary remediation and teaching strategies to enhance their mathematical skills.