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Praxis certification tests validated; two-step phase-in planned in 2005, 2006
Validation of the Praxis series of professional examinations for beginning
teachers for use in
South Dakota
is nearing completion. In addition, a two-step phase-in system has been
established for the implementation of the Praxis exams into the state’s
certification process.
Beginning
July 1, 2005,
the state will use a range of acceptable scores to judge the teachers’
preparation and readiness for certification; during the initial year, teachers
will need to meet or exceed the bottom score of the qualifying range.
Beginning
July 1, 2006,
a single cut score will be used to determine the teacher’s readiness for
certification. The score will be set following analysis of data from tests
taken between
July 1, 2005-June
30, 2006.
Teacher education students who graduate at the end of the Fall 2005 semester
will be the first group of new teachers required to submit passing test scores
to DOE in both content and pedagogy in order to be certified.
Tests for existing teachers will be available for the first time during
the April 2005 test period. Results of the exams become available in 4-6
weeks, allowing teachers who do not pass on the first try to retake the test
if necessary during the June 2005 testing window. Submission of passing
scores to DOE any time after
July 1, 2005,
will allow a teacher to add additional endorsements to a previously-issued
certificate.
Validation of the examinations for use in
South Dakota
involves a process facilitated by the contractor, Educational Testing Services
(ETS). Groups of practicing teachers in the specific content area from across
the state have attended validation committee meetings throughout the fall and
winter, working with ETS subject experts to conduct the review for test
content appropriateness and fairness. The purpose is to assure that the tests
are appropriate for
South Dakota
teachers both in alignment to SD content standards as well as the state’s
teacher preparation standards. The results of these panels are documented by
ETS and a qualifying score is recommended for each content area.
As a part of the EveryTeacher program, additional studies will be
conducted this summer; representatives of higher ed teacher preparation
programs in the state will meet with practicing teachers to review the exams
and recommend a range of qualifying scores that will be used during the first
year of implementation of the tests, July 1, 2005 – June 30, 2006. Teachers
taking the tests in the first year (2005-2006) will need to meet or exceed the
bottom score of the qualifying range.
Test scores from both new and existing
South Dakota
teachers will be analyzed during the first year of implementation and will be
used to make the final determination of a single qualifying score for each
content area. The score recommendations will be reviewed by a representative
panel; a final recommendation will be submitted to the SD Board of Education
for approval by
July 1, 2006.
ETS does not offer an examination in a few specialized certifications areas
that are not considered “core content.” In those cases, a teacher will need
to complete the prescribed coursework and pass the level-specific pedagogy
test in order to be certified.
DOE plans to provide educators with further updates throughout the
implementation period. Special thanks to K-12 teachers and higher ed
representatives who have participated in the validation process, as well as to
administrators who have made it possible for release of educators from
classroom duties during the validation committee meetings. Input from a
representative sample of practitioners was critical for making the “right”
decisions regarding this new initiative. |
