Overview of the Praxis III^® Tests

What Is the Praxis III Program?

Praxis III® Teacher Performance Assessments assess the skills of beginning teachers in classroom settings. ETS developed the Praxis III assessments for use in teacher licensing decisions made by states or local agencies empowered to license teachers. Under the guidelines that govern its use, the Praxis III assessments are not intended for use with more experienced teachers nor intended for use in making employment decisions.

This direct classroom assessment recognizes the importance of the teaching context as well as the many diverse forms that excellent teaching can take. The Praxis III assessments use a three-pronged method to assess the beginning teacher's evidence of teaching practice. This includes direct observation of classroom practice, review of documentation prepared by the teacher and structured interviews.

The Praxis III assessment program is comprised of three separate, yet strongly interconnected components. Individually, each component is designed to augment the value of the assessment. Collectively, the program is aimed at gaining a thorough understanding of the teaching skills of a beginning teacher. Overall, the Praxis III assessment provides insights into pedagogical areas in which a teacher may benefit from additional development.

Component 1: Framework of knowledge and skills for a beginning teacher that assess the teaching performance across all grade levels and content areas.
Component 2: Instruments used by trained assessors to collect data, analyze and score the teaching performance.
Component 3: Training of assessors to facilitate consistent, accurate and fair assessments of a beginning teacher.

The process employed in the Praxis III assessments includes an in-depth training program and tools for assessors; orientation materials for the teachers undergoing the assessments; and administrative guidelines for implementing and managing the program over time.

Who Takes It and Why?

Beginning teachers residing and planning to teach in states that require Praxis III Teacher Performance Assessments as part of the criteria for teacher licensing decisions have their teaching skills assessed in classroom settings, by trained assessors.

The process is flexible, allowing the state to customize the number of assessors and assessments and the timing of each assessment to meet the needs of the state's licensing requirements. ETS collaborates with the state throughout the process to ensure objectives are achieved.

Domains Evaluated

The Praxis III Teacher Performance Assessments consist of a framework of knowledge and skills for a beginning teacher that contains 19 assessment criteria in four interrelated domains.

These domains embrace the teaching and learning experiences of the beginning teacher, including:

• Organizing content knowledge for student learning (planning to teach)
• Creating an environment for student learning (the classroom environment)
• Teaching for student learning (instruction)
• Teacher professionalism (professional responsibilities)