The Praxis series of exams determines if a teacher is highly qualified in their field of study. Score reports contain different scores related to the test, including the mandatory pass score for the state in which the teacher plans to teach. The last page of the report breaks down the test into categories to help identify areas for improvement.
While an overall score determines an individual’s highly qualified status in their field of education, there are different Praxis scores reported on a single score report. These different scores convey a variety of information to the test taker. More important, however, is the minimum passing score in the state in which you plan to teach. Data reported in score reports also allows you to create a study plan for retaking a test.
Twenty-four states across the US use the Praxis series of exams to determine whether a teacher is highly qualified in their field of study under No Child Left Behind legislation. These tests last from one to two hours and some tests are divided into separate multiple-choice and essay sections. Approximately one month after taking the test, score reports are visible in the online account on the Educational Testing Service website. Even if a teacher only took one test, a score report contains different scores related to that test.
The first Praxis scores you will see are those under the heading “Current test date”. Next to the test name are three sets of scores. From left to right, the first score is “Your Score”, the score you received on the test. The second range of numbers labeled “Possible Score Range” indicates all the possible scores someone could have received on the test. Finally, a second range of numbers, “Average Performance Range,” reports one of the ranges scoring the average 50% of test takers in the last test session; while that last number has no direct bearing on whether or not you pass the test score, it does suggest one’s strength against others competing for the same teaching jobs as the candidate.
The next valuable set of Praxis scores on a score report is under the heading that begins with the test taker’s state of residence followed by “Department of Education”. In this section, two Praxis scores are very important. The first is the overall score reported at the top of the score report. The second is immediately to the right; this is the state’s “Mandatory Pass Score”. If someone’s score is above this number, they are highly qualified in their subject area; one can submit the necessary documentation to the state department of education to add an endorsement to their teacher’s license/certificate.
On the last page of a score report, there is a breakdown of Praxis scores. The test is divided into four or five categories, each subtopic in the academic area. One learns its performance in each category by comparing “Raw Points Earned” to “Raw Points Available”. As in the first section of the report, an “Average Performance Range” section is included. The last page of a score report is especially valuable if someone fails the test; Before testing again, you can focus only on areas where you need to improve.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
