University Teacher Education Program |
The State of Iowa Board of Educational Examiners (BOEE) requires an assessment of basic skills in order to be recommended by Iowa State University for an initial teaching license. The University Teacher Education Program requires the Praxis I exam for admission. Please note: ISU will continue to accept CAAP scores that have been taken before July 2007 (A composite CAAP score of 173, with a minimum score of 50 for reading, 53 for writing, and 52 for mathematics).
Praxis I: Pre-Professional Skills Test(PPST)Praxis is available through either a paper based or computer based format. Both formats cover the same content and measure the same academic skills. Students seeking admission must obtain a composite Praxis I (PPST) score of 522, with a minimum of 170 for each test. Praxis 1 is designed to measure basic proficiency in reading, mathematics, and writing. Examinee's scores are based on the number of questions answered correctly. There is no penalty or subtraction for answering a question incorrectly. A brief description of each of the three tests within Praxis 1 is presented below. The Reading test measures skills in literal comprehension, the ability to clarify a written message and understand how the material is organized and conveys the message, and the ability to make reasoned, qualitative judgments about the nature and merits of a written message. The test consists of reading passages that vary from 100 and 200 words in length and covers topics from several sources. The paper and pencil reading test has 40 multiple-choice items and a total testing time of 60 minutes. The computerized reading test has 46 multiple-choice items and a total testing time of 75 minutes. The Mathematics test measures competencies acquired in the course of studying high school mathematics. The test covers such skills as comparing and ordering numbers, interpreting graphic material, using ratios and percents, reasoning quantitatively, using measurement concepts, and other fundamental mathematical skills. The paper-pencil mathematics test has 40 multiple-choice items and a testing time of 60 minutes. The computerized mathematics test has 46 multiple-choice items and a total testing time of 75 minutes. The Writing test assesses the ability to use grammar and language appropriately and to communicate effectively in writing with a specific aim or purpose in mind. The paper-pencil writing test has two separately timed 30-minutes sections. The first section consists of 38 multiple-choice items on standard written English, the second consists of one essay question. The computerized writing test has two separately timed sections, divided into a 38-minute multiple-choice section with 44 items and one 30-minute essay question. Only one total writing score is reported. Retakes: Praxis 1 may be repeated in whole or in part. You may take the Computerized Praxis 1 test only once per calendar month, and no more than six times within a 12-month period. ETS does not limit the number of times you can retake a paper-based test. Scores: Score reports from computerized testing usually takes three weeks and score reporting on paper-based testing usually takes six weeks. Administration of Praxis I: You have three options for taking Praxis I (please note: prices are subject to change by ETS)... Option 1: You can take these tests by computer on a single day by completing the three sections of the Praxis I over a 4 1/2 hour time period. This combined test costs $130 and is available Monday through Saturday at the ISU Testing Center located in 2030 Student Services Building. Option 2: You can take the computerized tests on different days with each test scheduled for 2 hours available Monday through Saturday at the ISU Testing Center located in 2030 Student Services Building. If you choose this option, you must make all your appointments at one time and the test will cost $160. (If you schedule each test by making separate phone calls, the test will cost $240). Option 3: You can take this exam by paper on six Saturdays during the year. The paper-pencil test costs $170. You can register for the paper test online with Educational Testing Service (ETS) or by completing a form in the Praxis Series Information and Registration Bulletin. Please note, Option 3 is not offered on the ISU campus. According to ETS, sites who administer the computer based Praxis I test (option 1 and option 2) will not be eligible to administer the paper-pencil based Praxis I test (option 3). Click here for a list of paper-pencil test sites. Registration for Praxis I: Praxis I is administered on the ISU campus and other locations nationwide. Regardless where you take Praxis I, you will need to mark Iowa State University as a score recipient (ISU recipient code is RA6306). That means that a copy of your scores will be sent to the University Teacher Education Program. If you wish to take either of the computerized test formats at Iowa State University, the way you set up your appointment depends on how you plan to pay for the tests. If you plan to pay by credit card, you can call 515-294-6214 to make your appointment(s). If you will use a check, you can stop by the Testing Center in 2030 Student Services Building. Please note: If your primary language is not English, you may be eligible for more time for each section of the test. Please contact utep@iastate.edu for more information. Beginning September 2007, paper-pencil test takers will only be required to pay the registration fee once per testing year (September-July). Also, Standby Testing has been replaced with an Emergency Registration period, which allows the test taker to register after the late registration deadline, and guarantees a seat at a testing center. Study Materials for Praxis 1: Of greatest service to all teacher education students at Iowa State University is the PLATO Simulated Test System. PLATO is a free Internet accessible tool that scores practice (Praxis I) tests allowing you to become familiar with test content, but most importantly, can be used as a diagnostic tool, identifying your academic strengths and weaknesses. PLATO can be accessed from any computer with an Internet connection. To register send an email to utep@iastate.edu. Study guides are available for checkout at the ISU Library:
In addition, study guides are available for purchase on http://www.ets.org/praxis. To gain an understanding about what to expect on the tests, ETS publishes "Tests At A Glance" for each exam. Tests at a Glance include content outlines, sample questions in each content area with rationale for the best answers, and test-taking strategies. This information can be found at http://www.ets.org/praxis NEW! If you would like to review sample questions for Praxis 1, email utep@iastate.edu to schedule an appointment. For further information concerning the Praxis I exam, including registration for PLATO, contact Hina Patel, Associate Director of the University Teacher Education Program, 0133 MacKay Hall, (515) 294-7886, utep@iastate.edu.
Praxis IIThe Iowa Department of Education received word from the U.S. Department of Education that every new Iowa elementary teacher completing a state approved teacher preparation program beginning in the 2006-2007 must take a content test in order to be considered Highly Qualified under the federal legislation No Child Left Behind. The requirement applies only to candidates seeking the K-3 or K-6 regular classroom endorsement (for ISU, Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education majors only); candidates in secondary and K-12 programs (Physical Education and Music Education) are not included. Students will be required to take a content test and to attain a qualifying score in order to: 1. successfully complete a teacher preparation program in Iowa and 2. be recommended for licensure in the state of Iowa. Praxis II Test Options Teacher education candidates may choose from the following two Praxis II test options. Students only need to take one of the following: Option 1: Elementary Education: Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment (0011) OR Option 2: Elementary Education: Content Knowledge (0014) Elementary Education: Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment (Test Code: 0011) is designed for prospective teachers of students in the elementary grades. The 110 multiple-choice questions cover the breadth of material a new teacher needs to know and assess knowledge of both principles and processes. Some questions assess basic understanding of curriculum planning, instructional design, and assessment of student learning. Many questions pose particular problems that teachers might routinely face in the classroom, and many are based on authentic examples of student work. Although some questions concern general issues, most questions are set in the context of the subject matters most commonly taught in the elementary school: reading/language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, fine arts, and physical education.
This test lasts for two hours and costs $80.00. Calculators are prohibited. Elementary Education: Content Knowledge (Test Code: 0014) is designed for prospective teachers of children in primary through upper elementary school grades. The 120 multiple-choice questions focus on four major subject areas: language arts/reading, mathematics, social studies, and science. Test questions are arranged in the test book by subject area.
Each of the four content areas constitutes 25 percent of the test. This test lasts for two hours and costs $80.00. Calculators are allowed. Qualifying Scores Below are the qualifying scores for Iowa: For candidates graduating after September 1, 2007, the following qualifying scores must be attained: For Test 0011: 151 Below is a table showing which test(s) is/are required in several states. This information may help ISU Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education majors determine which test to take. Information on other states can be found at http://www.ets.org/praxis
Note: For Illinois and Texas licensure, take either test. Both Illinois and Texas have state-based tests that teachers are required to pass prior to receiving initial licensure. If you plan to teach in Iowa, take either test. Both options will allow for program completion. NOTE: We highly recommend that you apply for an Iowa teaching license upon graduation whether or not it is your intention to teach in Iowa. If a license is granted, this accomplishment will then become a part of your permanent record. Administration of Praxis II Praxis II is administered at Iowa State University. Information on the other locations where Praxis II is administered can be found online: http://www.ets.org/praxis Please note: All teacher education students need to mark Iowa State University as a recipient of their test scores (ISU recipient code is RA6306). The paper-based Praxis II test dates for the 2007-2008 testing year are as follows: June 14, 2008* July 26, 2008 Sept. 13, 2008 Nov. 15, 2008 Jan. 10, 2009 March 14, 2009 June 13, 2009 July 25, 2009 *If you are requesting special accommodations because your Primary Language Is Not English (PLNE), you must test on these test dates only. On the Test Day: If you plan to take Praxis II at Iowa State University, report no later than 7:30 am to Carver Hall Lobby, where room assignments will be posted. Both tests (10011 and 10014) will conclude at approximately 10:30 am. Please note: 10014 allows the use of a calculator. Registration for Praxis II Mail-in registration, online registration and telephone registration is available for Praxis II. The cost for registration is $50.00. More information regarding registration is located online: http://www.ets.org/praxis Study Materials for Praxis II: Study guides are available for checkout at the ISU Library:
In addition, study guides are available for purchase on http://www.ets.org/praxis. To gain an understanding about what to expect on the tests, ETS publishes "Tests At A Glance" for each exam. Tests at a Glance include content outlines, sample questions in each content area with rationale for the best answers, and test-taking strategies. This information can be found at http://www.ets.org/praxis NEW! If you would like to review sample questions for Praxis 2, email utep@iastate.edu to schedule an appointment. For further information concerning the Praxis II exam, contact Hina Patel, Associate Director of the University Teacher Education Program, 0133 MacKay Hall, (515) 294-7886, utep@iastate.edu.
University Teacher Education Program; Preparing Caring, Competent, and Certified Teachers; 0133 MacKay Hall, Ames, Iowa 50011-1125 Phone: 515-296-8837; Fax: 515-294-6467; Email: utep@iastate.edu Copyright © 2005, Iowa State University of Science and Technology. All rights reserved.
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