How to Qualify for Teacher Certification

 All candidates for initial certification in Pennsylvania must have earned at least a baccalaureate degree, completed an approved program of teacher education, and passed the appropriate tests.  The Pennsylvania Department of Education will recognize scores for five years from the date of the test administration.  Qualifying scores may be subject to change.  Individuals applying for an Instructional I initial certificate in Elementary Education are required to take the four Praxis I Pre-Professional Skills Tests (PPST) in Reading, Writing, and  Mathematics, and the two Praxis II Subject Assessments called “Elementary Education Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment” and “Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge.”

Praxis Exams

A both required and crucial step to obtaining teacher certification in Pennsylvania is the successful completion of the Praxis examinations.  The Praxis Series is an Educational Testing Service (ETS) program that provides tests and other services for states to use as part of the teacher certification process.  In the state of Pennsylvania, a candidate for certification will NOT receive certification without successfully completing all of the required Praxis examination sections.  Also, now IUP students will not receive admission to the IUP Teacher Education Program until they have successfully completed the Praxis I Academic Skills Series (PPST).

Successfully completing the Praxis Series can be an expensive, time-consuming process, encompassing a total of ten hours of tests.  Each Elementary Education major should plan for this process to take many months.  This will be an expensive endeavor, and a serious, thorough, and intense attitude must be undertaken throughout the whole process. Each test has a particular minimum passing score, known as the qualifying score.  You must have attained the current qualifying score on each test when you apply for certification. If you did not attain the qualifying score on a portion of the Praxis I, you may re-take the test before applying to IUP’s Teacher Education Program.

All students who have been admitted to the IUP Teacher Education Program under the new Three Step Process (as of January, 2001), must pass all five  of the PRAXIS tests prior to being eligible for Student Teaching.  This is an IUP policy under the new Three Step Process.

  Praxis I: Academic Skills Assessments (Pre-Professional Skills Test or PPST)

These assessments are designed to be taken early in the student’s college career to measure reading, writing, and mathematical skills vital to all teacher candidates. The assessments are available in two formats, paper-based and computer-based.  The paper-based tests, called the PPST or Pre-Professional Skills Tests, are given six times a year and measure academic skills in reading, math, writing, and listening. 

-         The Pre-Professionals Skills Test (PPST)*:  This consists of three exams, each one hour in length.  The content areas include Reading (10710), Writing ( 20720), and Math (10730).  All three tests may be scheduled for a single test day, if desired.  

The PPST is also available on computer.  Please see your registration booklet for phone numbers to use to make an appointment.

Praxis II: Subject Assessments

These assessments measure candidates’ knowledge of the subjects they will teach, as well as how much they know about teaching that subject.  The tests are regularly updated and several are available in each subject field.  The performance-based items allow test takers to demonstrate in-depth knowledge and reinforce the importance of writing in the teaching profession.

-         The Specialty Area Test***: For Elementary Education professionals, the exact name is Elementary Education Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment. This test is two hours in length.  The test code is 10011. 

-         Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge***: This is also a two hour exam. The test code is 30511.

*=Praxis I:                    Successful completion is required before making application to the IUP Teacher Education Program at the end of the sophomore year.  CCAC/IUP students will not be permitted to register for IUP junior level courses unless they have been admitted into the Teacher Education Program.

***=Praxis II:              Successful completion is required prior to Student Teaching.

HOW CAN I REGISTER?

To register for any of the PRAXIS Series examinations, the candidate must go online to the Praxis Series web site at http://www. teachingandlearning.org.  It is highly recommended that the student prepare thoroughly for these exams, and obtaining the registration bulletin is the starting point.  The bulletin is available from Dr. Moran and IUP’s Career Services Office.

Thorough examination of the Praxis Series web site is recommended, because extensive information regarding a multitude of subjects associated with the test are addressed, which include:

o       How to register to take the tests

o       How to register online

o       Information regarding the test series

o       How the assessments are used

o       A review and download sections for “Tests at a Glance”

o       Computer-based testing

o       Requirements of other states in the US

It is recommended that students register EARLY!  Each testing site has a specific number of spaces available, so if you don’t register early enough, you may not be able to take the test at your choice of test site.

The address and phone number for the PRAXIS Series:

Teaching and Learning Division
            Educational Testing Service
            P.O. Box 6051
            Princeton, NJ  08541-6051
            (609) 771-7395     praxis@ets.org

VERY IMPORTANT!!

So that IUP can receive your PRAXIS scores and process your certification, you must list IUP (R2652) in the Number 1 position as a score recipient.  This is extremely important!

APPROXIMATE COSTS:

Each time a student registers for a PRAXIS examination, a $40 non-refundable fee per test date is assessed (paper-based exams only), so it is in the best (financial) interest for the candidate to take multiple examinations when he/she chooses to enroll for a specific test date. 

Each one-hour PPST exam (#’s 10710, 20720, 10730) is $35.

Elementary Education Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment (10011) is $75

The Fundamental Subjects: Content Knowledge exam (30511) is $75.

If you are receiving financial aid and are an enrolled undergraduate or graduate student and meet the income guidelines, you may be eligible for a fee waiver.  To be considered for a fee waiver, submit a completed Fee Waiver Request form, and send it to the Financial Aid Office, Clark 213, IUP, Indiana, PA 15705. Include a self-addressed envelope so that they can complete a portion of the form and return it to you quickly.  The Fee Waiver Request form and registration form must be received at ETS by the appropriate deadline (see back cover of Praxis Series Book).

If you qualify, your registration fee and the cost of one test may be waived.  However, special service fees, such as late fees, cannot be waived.

A limited number of waivers are available per test date and per institution.  All fee waivers requests are processed on a first-come, first-serve basis.  You are eligible for a fee waiver only once during a testing year.  If your test is approved, your registration form will be processed and you will receive an admission ticket.  If funds are not available for the test date requested, you may indicate on the form the action to be taken.

HOW TO PREPARE:

Section 5 of The Praxis Series Bulletin provides a multitude of ideas to enhance your score and properly prepare.  The best way is to get a “Tests at a Glance” booklet, which is FREE of charge, and can be obtained from Dr. Moran or by calling ETS at (609)-771-7395, or go to the web site at www.teachingandlearning.org .

ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?

If any further questions remain, feel free to contact Dr. Moran (173 Student Services, 412- 237-4501) or Mrs. Deb Stanley, Associate Director of Career Services, (302 Pratt Hall, IUP, Indiana, PA 15705, 724 -357-2235).  

Adapted from J.B. Smith, IUP Health and Phys. Ed.