PRAXIS II INFORMATION

WHO?

--ALL Teacher Education Candidates (program completers) at Augustana College

WHAT?

--PRAXIS II EXAMS:  Content Knowledge & Pedagogical Knowledge/PLT (Principles of Learning & Teaching)

--Check out this website http://doe.sd.gov/oatq/praxis/index.asp for SD Praxis information

--Visit http://www.ets.org for information related to all states that require the PRAXIS exams for teacher licensure; NOTE:  some states requires the PRAXIS I or PPST exam, SD does not nor does Augustana College’s Teacher Education Program—you can take the PPST (CBT/computer based test) at the Sylvan Prometric Testing Center, 4700 South Technopolis Dr, Suite 4, Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57106, (605) 362-4875

WHEN?

--Candidates must submit PASSING Praxis II CONTENT EXAM SCORES BEFORE beginning the student teaching experience, candidates who do not pass the content exam will not be allowed to begin student teaching until passing content exam score(s) are received

--Scores for the PRAXIS II PLT must be received by the end of the student teaching experience.  Students who do not submit their scores to the Education Department will receive a grade of INC for student teaching.  NOTE:  Plan accordingly as failure to submit scores in a timely fashion will delay program completion, graduation, and the certification process!

--Certification applications will not be sent until PRAXIS scores have been received for all programs that have been completed

--ONLY those with passing PRAXIS scores (content AND PLT) will be eligible to pursue certification in SD

WHERE?

--You must take the exams at a designated ETS testing center…in SD ETS testing centers for PRAXIS exams are located at:  USD, SDSU, USF, DSU, NSU, BHSU, OLC, DWU—check the ETS website for test center information @ http://www.ets.org and dates;  NOTE:  you can take the exams at any ETS test center in any state

WHY?

--PRAXIS II exams are required by the Teacher Education Program at Augustana College, see Teacher Education Handbook online at:  http://www.augie.edu/dept/educ/andrews/teachereduationhandbook.doc

--Candidates must take the content exam for major programs of study and at least 1 PLT exam

--PRAXIS Exams for endorsements, such as middle level content areas, are NOT required by  Augie’s program BUT must be taken for certification

--As of July 1, 2005, PRAXIS II exams are required by the ARSD (Administrative Rules of South Dakota) for Teacher Preparation Programs; 24:15:02:08. State certification exam requirements. Effective July 1, 2005, the following requirements apply to applicants for certification:  An applicant must submit verification of passing scores on the state certification exams for each subject or area authorization and for the pedagogy exam for each age or grade span for which they have completed an approved education program and for each subject or area authorization for endorsement programs for which applicant is applying

--Since SD is now a teacher licensure “testing state” PRAXIS II exams are required to maintain our NCATE Accreditation, 80% of “program completers” must pass and Federal Title II Reporting Requirements means we must report scores for all “program completers”

HOW?

You can prepare for the exams in the following ways:

-Attend Symposium Day PRAXIS test-taking strategies

-Visit http://www.augie.edu/dept/educ/andrews/praxisprep.htm to access free online resources

-Available ETS Study Guides have been purchased and are on reserve in the Mikkelsen Library and may be checked out for individual use

-Talk to other EDUC majors who have taken the test

-Visit http://www.ets.org and locate the free and downloadable “test at a glance” resources for test information

MISC?

--Passing Scores for SD have been set, effective September 1, 2007—see http://www.augie.edu/dept/educ/andrews/praxisprep.htm for SD PRAXIS cut scores for programs at Augie;  NOTE:  not all states have the same “cut or pass” score” visit http://www.ets.org for state required “cut score” information

 


Reading and Answering Constructed Response Exams

 

As the name indicates, these questions require you to construct a response rather than select the correct answer from a list; thus, these questions count for more points toward your score.  The constructed response questions require you to demonstrate an awareness of curriculum and pedagogical issues and assess your ability to explain material and key concepts in your own words.  This portion of the PLT will consist of 4 case histories, each followed by 3 short answer questions for a total of 12 short answer questions.  You should allow about 25 minutes to read each case study and answer the corresponding constructed response questions.  This will leave about 10 minutes to respond to the MC items. 

 

Tips

 

  • Before reading each of the case studies, briefly review the two constructed response questions that accompany them to focus your reading.

 

  • While reading, underline information that will help you construct a response so that your answer will be well structured.

 

  • Scorers are looking for answers that address the question, are logical and concise, and indicate an understanding of the subject. 

 

  • Be sure to respond to all parts of the question.

 

  • Restate the question in your introductory sentence to maintain focus and receive a point. 

 

  • Respond to the prompt, do not change the question or challenge the basis of it.

 

  • Legible writing will make your response more welcoming to the grader; however, spelling and grammar do not count.

 

  • You may use bulleted sentences to delineate specific points for the grader instead of writing in paragraph form.

 

  • Answer ALL parts of the question and support your answer with details.

 

  • Be specific, vague answers lose points.

 

  • Know what the question is asking you to do…describe, compare, contrast, etc.—underline the words in the prompt that indicate what it is you are to do in your response

 

·        Make an outline for your answer to be sure to include all the parts you are to respond to—refer back to the prompt.

 


GENERAL SCORING GUIDE FOR CONSTRUCTED RESPONSE ITEMS

4 case histories + 3 short answer questions for each=12 responses

ETS suggests you spend no more than 25 minutes per case history

 

A response that receives a score of 2:

Demonstrates a thorough understanding of the aspects of the case that are relevant to the question

Responds appropriately to all parts of the question

If an explanation is required, provides a strong explanation that is well supported by relevant evidence

Demonstrates a strong knowledge of pedagogical concepts, theories, facts, procedures, or methodologies relevant to the question

 

A response that receives a score of 1:

Demonstrates a basic understanding of the aspects of the case that are relevant to the question

Responds appropriately to one portion of the question

If an explanation is required, provides a weak explanation that is supported by relevant evidence

Demonstrates some knowledge of pedagogical concepts, theories, facts, procedures, or methodologies relevant to the question

 

A response that receives a score of 0:

Demonstrates misunderstanding of the aspects of the case that are relevant to the question

Fails to respond appropriately to the question

Is not supported by relevant evidence

Demonstrates little knowledge of pedagogical concepts, theories, facts, procedures, or methodologies relevant to the question; no credit is given for a blank or off-topic response.