What you need to know:
- Testing Requirements
- Tests needed for Certification
- PAPA
- Praxis II
- What to do if you FAIL
- Students with Disabilities
- More Information
- New versus Old Test
- Special Help for testing
Testing Requirements in Pennsylvania
Upon completion of 68 credits ALL Education majors must have taken and submitted passing scores of their appropriate teacher certification tests!!
Important links:
Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE): Testing Requirements
and Clarion's helpful required tests for teacher certification: Tests Needed for Certification.
IMPORTANT! You can NOT combine Praxis I and PAPA tests.
- If you have already begin taking Praxis I then you MUST complete all 3 modules in Praxis I. (The deadline for registering for Praxis I was April 1, 2012. If you had not taken or registered for Praxis I by that date then you must take PAPA.)
- If you have NOT taken any tests then you MUST take PAPA. Do NOT take any Praxis I tests.
What happens if I have taken some Praxis I and some PAPA? Then you have to retake the correct tests. The scores from the different forms cannot be combined.
Why are there 2 different test forms? PAPA is replacing Praxis I as the required PA test.
PAPA Testing
Cost:
$37 per Module or $89 for all three modules. Follow the link below for more information.
What to Bring on Test Day:
You and your ID. Personal belongings WILL NOT BE PERMITTED in testing room. ID must be present at all times of testing.
What the test looks like:
PAPA consists of 3 Modules (Reading, Math, and Writing). These can be taken separately or together (for a discounted price). They are approximately 180 minutes if taken together. Allow for the 15 minute computer-based testing tutorial.
Format: Reading contains 40 selected-response items; Mathematics contains 40 selected-response items; and Writing contains 40 selected-response items, 2 sentence correction assignments, and 1 extended-response assignment.
On-screen calculator and a formula page are available during Mathematics (the following link provides a tutorial to these). Each test-taker is also given an erasable sheet for working out problems on all tests.
Want More Information? Check out this link.
PAPA Registration:
-
PAPA is a computer-based test. Registering for the PAPA test must be done online.
-
PAPA tests are offered at Clarion University on Fridays and Saturdays (unless otherwise indicated). Enter Clarion, PA in the locator to sign up today!
-
Don't forget to list Clarion University as the recipient when you register! Scores must be received by the university. Retain your test results copy as well.
What test to take:
Score Reports:
Scores for Mathematics and Reading are available within 10 days; Writing scores are available within 20 days. For more information: PECT How to Read Your Score Report for PAPA
Praxis II Testing
Register through ETS for Praxis II Computer-Delivered Tests:
Educational Testing Service has teacher candidates register for computer-delivered Praxis II tests online at
Policy for Praxis II Tests and Student Teaching
Effective: December 8, 2010
Attention:
Effective December 8, 2010, the policy for Praxis II tests and student teaching involves redesigning the second student teaching course to include the required objective - candidates will pass the appropriate Praxis II exam(s) as part of the second student teaching course. The exam(s) will be completed before or during the student teaching course/placement. The specifics of this new policy are:
-
All candidates must take the required Praxis II exam(s) and present a copy of the registration or seat ticket to the Office of Field Services before beginning their student teaching semester.
- If a test is not passed the candidate must register to take the test again during the student teaching semester.
- Candidates will not pass the second student teaching placement/course until they have successfully completed the Praxis II exam(s).
- Once the candidate has passed the exam(s), he or she must report the passing scores to the Office of Field services.
Praxis II: Specialty Area Tests
Praxis II Registration:
- Praxis II tests are only offered in the computer-based format. Registering for the Praxis II must be done online.
- Praxis II Tests will be given during the regular testing times throughout each academic year.
- Praxis Requirements for Pennsylvania Teacher Certification This site identifies which tests are required by major(s) and what passing score is presently accepted by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE).
- Scores must be sent to the OFS via the registration, OR the teacher candidate must bring a copy of the scores to the OFS as soon as they are available.
Failure of Testing
In the case of failure at the end of the second student teaching course, these options will be available to the student:
-
Receive an Incomplete (I) in the second student teaching course which will maintain the option to complete the bachelor’s degree in education and teacher certification. This Incomplete can be held for one semester during which time the student must pass the Praxis II test(s) and report the passing scores to the Office of Field Services. Once the scores are received, the teacher certificate will be sent to PDE and the degree will be awarded.
-
Receive a D in the second student teaching course. This then permits these credits to be used for a degree in Liberal Studies. The student may or may not need to complete additional credits for this degree.
-
Repeat the last 6 credit course for student teaching, pass the required Praxis II tests, and then receive the degree and teacher certification.
Students with Disabilities
PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU ARE A STUDENT WITH A DIAGNOSED DISABILITY and anticipate the need to request accommodations please follow the corresponding sites below. For the PRAXIS II exams, please click on this link from the Educational Testing Service (ETS) And for PAPA please click on this link from Pearson. These websites explain the procedures for requesting both traditional and nontraditional accommodations. PLEASE NOTE: You should plan well in advance when registering to take these exams with accommodations, as it can take approximately six weeks for requests to be approved.
If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Disability Support Services at 814-393-2095.
More Information
PDE CSPG No. 21 has been revised to extend Praxis test score validity from 5 years to 10 years for candidates educated in Pennsylvania. CSPG No. 21: Testing may be found on the PDE Website.
PLEASE NOTE:
Foreign Language French, German, and Spanish candidates have the option in Pennsylvania of taking either the PRAXIS or the ACTFL test. The ACTFL test includes a written (when available) and oral exam that is graded on a proficiency scale rather than a point scale. Both the written and oral exams must be taken when available. The minimum proficiency to qualify is Intermediate High - Code 120. Candidates may contact the ACTFL Language Testing office at 914-963-7110.
Confused on Old versus New Tests?
Effective April 2, 2012
* All Education majors need to take and pass the Pearson PAPA Exam
Praxis II (has changed in some majors).....
|
Major |
Old Test |
New Test |
|
ECH |
ETS Praxis II ECH |
Pearson Prek-4 * |
|
SPED |
ETS SPED k-12 |
Pearson K-8* |
|
Secondary Ed |
ETS Praxis II |
NO Change |
|
All K-12 |
ETS Praxis II |
NO Change |
|
ED Middle Level |
ETS Mid Level Praxis II 7-9 |
ETS Mid Level 4-8* |
* Computer based only!
· Information about Pearson tests: www.pa.nesinc.com
· Information about ETS Praxis tests: www.ets.org/praxis
· Clarion University’s Pearson Testing Center is now open! Sign up today: Clarion's Pearson Testing Center. Select Clarion, Pa to find our center.
Special Help:
PAPA & Praxis II Preparation:
Prep Classes at Butler County Community College (BC3) -
For more information, please check out the Praxis/BC3 Website or e-mail Tracy Hack.
For further information, contact the OFS at 814-393-2144.
