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Resources for Future Teachers

Testing Requirements for Certification**

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE SPRING 2012:
Changes to the TESTING Requirements

The Pennsylvania Department of Education has changed some of their testing requirements. For Candidacy, students will no longer take the PRAXIS I (PPST) series of exams after April 1, 2012. Students are to take the Pennsylvania Educator Certification Tests/Pre-Academic Preparation Assessment (PAPA) series of exams by Evaluation Systems Pearson if their initial test date is April 2, 2012 or later.  

 

What does this mean for you?

1. If you have already successfully completed all three of the PRAXIS I exams (0710: Reading, 0720: Writing, and 0730: Math), you do not have to take the PAPA series of exams.

2. If you have successfully completed any one (or more) of the three PRAXIS I (PPST) exams (0710: Reading, 0720: Writing, and 0730: Math), prior to April 2, 2012, you should continue taking the PRAXIS I (PPST) series of exams. It is not appropriate to mix and match PRAXIS I (PPST) and PECT PAPA.

3. If your initial test date is after April 2, 2012, you are to take the PECT PAPA series of exams.

4.  Post-baccalaureate candidates do not need to take the PPSTs or the PAPA (as of July 1, 2011)

Additional information may be found at PDE: Testing Requirements in Pennsylvania.

PDE: Testing Requirements in Pennsylvania**

Detailed information may be found at PDE: Testing Requirements in Pennsylvania

 

Instructional I Certificate - Testing Requirements

Initial certification for Early Elementary (PK-4) and Special Education (PK-8):

Test Name	Test #	Standard Qualifying Score
PAPA Reading †	001	220
PAPA Math †	002	220
PAPA Writing †	003	220
To Register, Go To: www.pa.nesinc.com

Early Elementary (PK-4) PECT Exams

Test Name	Test #	Standard Qualifying Score
Pre-K-4 Module 1-Child Dev, Prof	006	220
Pre-K-4 Module 2-Language, Social Studies	007	220
Pre-K-4 Module 3-Math, Science	008	220
To Register, Go To: www.pa.nesinc.com

Special Education (PK-8) PECT Exams

Test Name	Test #	Standard Qualifying Score
Special Education - PreK-8 Module 1	011	220
Special Education - PreK-8 Module 2	012	220
To Register, Go To: www.pa.nesinc.com

 

 

Initial certification for secondary certificates (grades 7 through 12):

Test(s)	To register, go to:
PAPA†: Reading, Writing, Mathematics‡	www.pa.nesinc.com
Appropriate content area test for secondary subject(s) English Language, Literature and Composition Content Knowledge (Test 0041) Biology: Content Knowledge (Test 0235) General Science: Content Knowledge (Test 0435) Social Studies: Content Knowledge (Tests 0081)	www.ets.org/praxis/pa

† Those who completed at least one PPST test or registered for at least one PPST test prior to April 2, 2012 must pass the PPST Reading, PPST Writing and PPST Mathematics available from www.ets.org/praxis/pa.

 

Administrative and Supervisory Certificates -
Testing Requirements

 

Principal Administrative Certificate:

~ Effective September 1, 2012, candidates for Principal and Vocational Administrative Director certification will be required to successfully complete the School Leadership Licensure Assessment Educational Leadership: Administration and Supervision test (1011 or 6011). The Educational Leadership: Administration and Supervision (0411) will be accepted if passed prior to August 31, 2012 and within ten years of the date of application. www.ets.org/praxis/pa

 

~ Note: Effective April 2, 2012 all applicants wishing to add these certificate areas are also required to pass the appropriate test within ten years of the date of application.

 

Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Letter of Eligibility:

 

~ Effective December 1, 2012, School Superintendent Assessment (1020) www.ets.org/praxis/pa

 

How to Apply for Your Pennsylvania Instructional I Certificate:

 

~ A Knights' Guide for Applying for Teacher Certification in Pennsylvania (pdf)

~ A complete step-by-step tutorial that will help guide you through the new Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Teacher Information Management System.

 

 

**Testing requirements are periodically revised. Students are held to the state requirements in place at the time of their application for certification.