Wisconsin: Praxis Test Requirements

Praxis I: Pre-Professional Skills Tests (PPST®)
Praxis II: Subject Assessments
How to Prepare and Register for the Tests
Where to Get Additional Information

WHAT - Praxis I: Pre-Professional Skills Tests (PPST)

In an effort to provide the state with a quality teaching force, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction must assure that teachers demonstrate a minimum level of basic skills competency. To that end, Wisconsin Administrative Code PI 34.14 (1) (a) 1 requires that students applying for admission to their initial Wisconsin professional education (licensure) program demonstrate competency in communication skills (I.E. READING, WRITING, AND MATHEMATICS) prior to admission. The tests approved by the state superintendent for this purpose are the Pre-Professional Skills Tests or PPST in reading, writing and mathematics.

WHO MUST TAKE THE PPST?

All students planning to enroll in their initial professional education (licensure) program in Wisconsin colleges, universities or alternative programs are required to pass the Praxis I: PPST in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics. The PPST is required for admission to all professional education programs. The tests are usually taken during the first or second year of undergraduate work depending on the institution of higher education’s policies.

Teachers applying for teaching licenses in Wisconsin who complete professional education programs after August 31, 1992 at colleges and universities located in other states, are required to submit to the Department of Public Instruction passing scores on the Praxis I: PPST or on equivalent basic skills tests required by their professional education programs or states.

WHERE ARE THE TESTS GIVEN?

The Praxis I computer-based tests are offered by appointment through a national network of Prometric™ Testing Centers (many Prometric Testing Centers are located inside Sylvan Learning Centers) and selected institutional sites. Visit Computer-based Test Centers for the locations near you. Refer to the Praxis  Registration website for all information on paper and pencil PPST test centers and dates.

WHAT ARE THE PPST REQUIREMENTS?

Praxis I: Pre-Professional Skills Tests

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction requires the PPST in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics for students' admission to educator preparation programs. Each institution of higher education or alternative program reviews and maintains students’ scores for the purpose of admission to their professional education programs.

Note: CBT tests are given by appointment.

WHAT - Praxis II: Subject Assessments

Wisconsin requires students who complete their professional education programs after August 31, 2004 to take the Praxis II: Subject Assessment specified by the state for their license area(s) in order to qualify for a state education license. All state approved professional education programs in Wisconsin require student assessments of content knowledge (in most license fields) that are determined by passing scores on the Praxis II : Subject Assessments as approved by the state superintendent. This includes programs offered at colleges and universities as well as alternative training, experimental and innovative programs. Each Wisconsin professional education program establishes by policy when the tests must be completed within its education program sequence.

WHO MUST TAKE THE PRAXIS II CONTENT TESTS?

All students who complete a professional education program after August 31, 2004 must take the Praxis II: Subject Assessments required by Wisconsin for their license area in order to qualify for a state education license. It is important to note that no candidate may be waived from taking the required Praxis II test for her or his license area. This includes all scenarios of program completion including but not limited to:

• Educators licensed prior to September, 2004 returning to complete a license program in a new subject;
• Educators licensed prior to September, 2004 returning to complete programs to add on age levels that were not covered by their previous licenses;
• All educators who complete initial licensing programs after August 31, 2004 and all subsequent programs (that require a Praxis II test) they complete;
• Students completing licensing programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels;
• Students completing licensing programs as special students.

Out of State Candidates

Educators who complete state approved professional education programs in other states will need to document that they have passed the tests required to be licensed in the state where the approved program is headquartered. In addition, educators WHO COMPLETED A PROGRAM AFTER AUGUST 31, 2004 AND whose state required a different test than Wisconsin, must take and pass the Praxis II test(s) required in Wisconsin in their licensure area(s) to obtain an Initial Educator or Professional Educator License in Wisconsin.

WHEN AND WHERE ARE THE PRAXIS TESTS GIVEN?

The paper-based Praxis I: PPST Assessments and Praxis II : Subject Assessments are given in the same locations (colleges) around the state seven times per year. The locations and test dates are listed in the Test Center List. As test centers are limited in seating, it is important to register early to insure you will be able to secure a spot.

WHAT ARE THE PRAXIS II: SUBJECT ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS?

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction in accordance with PI 34, Wisconsin Administrative Code, requires that all students completing a Wisconsin professional education (licensure) program and out-of state applicants who completed their programs after August 31, 2004 take the specific Praxis II : Subject Assessments listed below that correspond to the license(s) they will be issued.

*Applies to Program Completers after August 31, 2010.

Important Issues for Middle Childhood Through Early Adolescence (MC-EA) Regular Education Candidates

Wisconsin Middle Childhood-Early Adolescence (MC-EA) teaching candidates are required as part of their program to complete a state approved minor. Each college/university identifies the minors it offers for this license and which ones are licensable based on its program approval. Candidates with approved licensable minors in mathematics or computer science, language arts areas, social studies areas and science areas are covered by the Praxis II Middle School Content Knowledge test required of all MC-EA program candidates and therefore are not required to take the Praxis II in those specific categories. They will obtain a license to teach regular MC-EA and in their minor at the MC-EA level. Candidates minoring in the following areas who wish to be certified at the MC-EA level in those minors must take the corresponding Praxis II test: foreign language, English as a Second Language, health, or theatre.

HOW DO I PREPARE AND REGISTER FOR THE TESTS?

Test dates, registration procedures, fees, and forms are listed on the Praxis website and are also included in the The Praxis Series 2009-10 Information Bulletin. You may register online or complete and mail in the Praxis Registration Form. ETS offers a multitude of test preparation materials you may purchase to enhance your performance on the tests. The ETS website also provides test descriptions and content, sample questions with answers, and test-taking strategies. The department has no involvement in the ETS assessment process itself and all questions of that nature should be directed to ETS.

The Praxis Series
Educational Testing Service
P.O. Box 6051
Princeton, NJ 08541-6051
Telephone: 1-609-771-7395 Toll Free 1800-772-9476
Website: http://www.ets.org/praxis/

WHERE TO GET ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

To obtain information about Wisconsin's approved professional education preparation programs or about certification contact:

Teacher Education, Professional Development and Licensing Team
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
125 South Webster Street
P.O. Box 7841
Madison, WI 53707-7841
Telephone: 1-800-266-1027
E-mail: licensing@dpi.wi.gov

This page is a supplement to The Praxis Series 2009-10 Information Bulletin (PDF).