Next step for Praxis tests

Education professionals from across the state, in cooperation with Educational Testing Services, have recommended qualifying scores on 39 Praxis content and pedagogy tests. Before being presented to the Board of Education at its November meeting, the recommended qualifying scores will undergo further study by content specialists and a test advisory council.

Once the recommended scores have been approved by the Board of Education, they will be required for certification of new teachers after July 1, 2005.

Existing teachers will not be required to take the Praxis tests. However, all future endorsements will require that a content test be taken before it will be added unto a certificate. No coursework will be required, although many teachers may want to take it. The Department of Education will request verification of a qualifying test score only for the specific content area, in order for the endorsement to be added to a certificate.  

Existing teachers may begin taking the tests during dates in April and June 2005. Teachers new to the profession will take the test in fall 2005 and submit their qualifying scores to the Department of Education for certification.

The tests meet the “highly qualified” teacher requirement of No Child Left Behind. Currently, existing teachers meet “highly qualified” status by being fully certified, having a bachelor’s degree, and three years of experience. Until the tests are ready, South Dakota is allowing those new to the profession to validate their content knowledge by passing the CAAP test or by submitting a portfolio at their individual university. For out-of-state teachers, the department requests verification that the individual has taken and passed a content exam. 

For more information about the content and pedagogy tests, contact Melody Schopp, Office of Accreditation and Teacher Quality, at (605) 773-5232. melody.schopp@state.sd.us