What a year. If you’re a new teacher, experienced teacher, or a teacher leader, you know that we’re in the midst of an unprecedented shift in how schools work. We are thinking of you all and working with many of you to be the teachers and leaders you want to be. Thank you.

Despite the incredible disruptions that the pandemic has caused, many of you still have goals of becoming certified teachers or adding endorsements. One of the requirements for licensure is passing Praxis Exams. With test center disruptions, many wonder how their goals can be achieved.

ETS, the company that administers the Praxis Exams, introduced the Praxis Tests at Home Solution in 2020 as an alternative to support test takers during test center closures. The Praxis Core (reading, writing, and mathematics) is one of the tests offered remotely. If you are thinking about applying for UVEI’s Teacher Intern Program, make sure you sign up for the correct test! Most Praxis II exams are offered. Some, unfortunately, are not offered, such as secondary ELA. Praxis at Home could be a good solution to investigate.

The remote tests use the same scoring criteria, process, and scale so that scores can be used and accepted by the state in the same way. They’re also offered at the same price and include features like on-screen calculators. Some accommodations will be available, such as extra time. Test sessions will be available seven days a week including holidays. Convenient!

Now for the requirements. Your computer equipment AND test room must meet the requirements for the test. Some requirements take pre-planning. For example, you must have privacy – “alone in a room with no one else entering during the test.” Can your home environment support this requirement? 

Many aspiring teachers ask us a lot of questions about the Praxis Core, and we have a helpful blog post which addresses a lot of questions that are still relevant during test center closures. 

Please do not hesitate to reach out with your questions and concerns. Our current cohort of teaching interns are getting close to wrapping up what has turned out to be an extraordinary year, and are looking forward to having their own classrooms, whatever those may look like, in the fall. 

Stay well.