Precertification Competency Examination on Educating Students with Disabilities

Any person seeking initial Instructional I certification must pass the PRAXIS Examinations as part of the requirement for certification. These exams include:

• The Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST) for Reading, Writing, and Mathematics
• Principles of Learning and Teaching (PTL) K-6 or 7-12 is no longer required if student teaching in Fall 2003 or later.
• Fundemental Subjects: Content Knowledge
• As well as, one or more Specialty Area Tests

Consult the current Praxis Series Registration Bulletin for specific details such as testing sites, fees, procedures, and dates. All registration information and forms can be found in the Praxis Series Registration Bulletin available in 228 Chambers Building.

Background
The Pennsylvania Department of Education has mandated that all candidates recommended for a Level I professional certificate, must demonstrate ten generic competencies dealing with the education of handicapped children. The guidelines pertain to compliance with U.S, Public Law 94-142 as amended in 1997 by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) – Public Law 105-17.

This mandate requires that all certification candidates* seeking Penn State’s endorsement for Level I certificates (Instructional, Administrative, Educational Specialist, Supervisory, Administrative Letters of Eligibility, and Vocational II) must successfully pass an examination covering the knowledge competencies.

*NOTE: This exam is waived for School Psychology and Special Education Majors, or recipients of such degrees, and students who have completed the PSU course SPLED 400 or 444 with a grade of “C” or better.

Preparation
Preparation for the examination may be undertaken by several means. First, all Penn State programs preparing school personnel presently address the topic of, and the issues pertaining to, Public Laws 94-142 and 105-17 in their required coursework. Second, in addition to a list of ten competencies and sample questions, relevant chapter citations from several resources are available in the Education Library at 401 Rackley Building, University Park. Third, the courses Special Education (SPLED) 305, 400, and 444 include material directly related to the competency areas.

Administration
Candidates typically complete the examination prior to their major practica, or during the semester in which application for the professional certificate is made. Applications for certification will NOT be processed until the examination is passed.

The exam is administered on computers at University Park in 228 Chambers Building. Candidates may preregister in person or call (814) 865-0488. The computer test lab is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., with test administrations at 8:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. Evening and weekend hours are not available. The exam may also be scheduled at Penn State Great Valley; call (610) 648-3200 for details.

Although there is no charge for the exam, there is a limitation of two attempts to pass before unsuccessful candidates are required to complete the course, SPLED 400.

Effective Spring 2000, a criterion performance of 75% is required to pass this exam and to receive the required Penn State recommendation resulting in the issuance of the professional certificate by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Educational Testing Service (ETS)

Online
Visit The Praxis Series Web site. Your source for instant information on the test series, how the assessments are used, how to register to take the tests, how to get your scores, state-by-state requirements and qualifying scores, computer-based testing (CBT), and more!

Telephone
Recorded information is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by touch-tone phone. 609-771-7395. From a rotary phone, hold and you will be connected to a customer service representative. Business hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:45 p.m., EST., closed on Saturdays, except on test dates when hours are 7:00 a.m. to 6:45 p.m., EST.

For Disability Services, call 609-771-7780.

Test takers who are deaf or hard-of-hearing can call TTY 609-771-7714 Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., EST.

Fax
609-530-0581, 609-771-7906
24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Mail
Allow at least 10 business days for mail to reach them. Please be specific when you write with comments, suggestions, or compalints.

Teaching and Learning Division
ETS
PO Box 6051
Princeton, NJ 08541-6051

By overnight mail or Federal Express
Teaching and Learning Division
ETS Distribution Center
225 Phillips Blvd.
PO Box 77435
Princeton, NJ 08628-7435