Before registering for a teacher certification examination, you should know about the different tests offered. These include ATS-W, edTPA, and content specialty tests. These tests measure the knowledge and skills needed by aspiring educators. The Praxis(r) tests measure knowledge and skills and are administered by ETS. You should also know about the Pass Rate of each test. If you have any questions, feel free to ask them in the comments section below.
ATS-W
The ATS-W is a three-part test that tests a prospective teacher’s knowledge of a variety of subjects. The tests include multiple-choice questions and essays on topics such as conceptual skills, critical-thinking skills, multicultural awareness, and communication. Elementary ATS-W tests measure knowledge of early childhood education and humanities. Secondary ATS-W tests assess knowledge of grades five through nine. Candidates taking the exam must pass all three tests in order to be considered for certification.
This assessment is meant to evaluate the knowledge and skills of pre-service teacher candidates seeking their first New York State teaching certificate. It is comprised of a 20-minute video of a candidate teaching K-12 students. The video must contain a narrative that addresses the target competency areas. The test is offered on computer. Candidates taking the exam must be aware of EdTPA safety net until Sept. 1, 2022. However, it is a valuable tool for future teachers.
edTPA
To pass the edTPA teacher certification examination, candidates must submit a portfolio of teaching examples. This portfolio, which documents a candidate’s competency in teaching the subject matter, is a collection of authentic teaching materials. Developed by Stanford University faculty, the edTPA documents a candidate’s ability to teach the subject matter effectively to diverse students. In addition, the edTPA is the only test for which candidates must submit a portfolio, and it is required that they do so by a certain date. This submission period varies by program areas.
The edTPA examination could reduce diversity in the teacher workforce. Hispanic teachers are about three times as likely to fail the test than their peers. Without certification, Hispanic teachers would be forced to take the test multiple times to prove themselves worthy of the position. Considering that Hispanic teachers make up about 30% of the teaching workforce in Washington state, it is not surprising that the edTPA has drawn a negative response.
Content specialty tests
The Content Specialty Tests (CSTs) are exams that measure the knowledge and skills of candidates for teacher certification. The tests consist of multiple-choice questions, written assignments, and speaking and listening components. Depending on the certification area, there are different CSTs for math, English language arts, and general knowledge. The state education department provides preparation guides for all three types of exams. To ensure success on your test, start preparing early.
Study guides and tutorials are available for each NYSTCE test. The guide will outline the content to be covered, including the percentage of each content area covered. It will also list individual objectives for each test section. This will help applicants focus on the specific content areas of each test. Sample questions are provided to help applicants familiarize themselves with the format. The NYSTCE website also lists the test fees and other information. There are several ways to prepare for the exam, including taking practice tests.
Pass rate
The number of candidates who pass the teacher certification examination is dropping rapidly in New York State. Last year, the state of New York implemented tougher tests for teachers, which resulted in a lower pass rate overall. The new exams were given to candidates in May and August of 2013. LIU Post College of Education publishes the results of the mandatory exams and tests related to different majors. The school reports an overall pass rate of 86%.
Although pass rates have traditionally been reported at a percentage of candidates who pass on their first try, the teaching profession has not routinely provided this data. A new study shows that a high percentage of aspiring teachers fail on their first test, and nearly a quarter do not attempt the test again. This percentage is even higher for minority test takers. This has implications for teacher education programs, which may lose accreditation if their students fail to pass the tests.