Montana Highly Qualified Status

Test Requirements

• Montana does not use content test scores for licensure decisions
• Highly Qualified Teacher Test Requirements as defined by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 2001

The federal highly qualified teacher (HQT) regulations for new-to-the-profession and experienced elementary and secondary teachers teaching core academic subjects require that every teacher must demonstrate content knowledge prior to teaching core academic subject classes.

The ESEA core academic subjects include: English, reading, mathematics, science (biology, chemistry, earth science, physics, and physical science), civics and government, economics, history, geography, world languages, visual arts, and elementary curriculum.

Teachers with endorsements in other subject areas (e.g., music, library media, health enhancement, technology education, and family and consumer sciences) are not required to pass a subject area test to teach non-core academic subject classes.

The ESEA HQT requirements apply to all Montana teachers assigned to teach core academic subject classes.

• K–8 Elementary teachers new-to-the profession must pass the Praxis II® Elementary Education: Content Knowledge (0014, 5014) test prior to being assigned to teach the elementary curriculum.
• K–8 Elementary teachers who hold a Class 5 Alternative License must pass the Praxis II Elementary Education: Content Knowledge (0014, 5014) test prior to teaching the elementary curriculum.
• Elementary and secondary teachers with a minor in a core academic subject must pass the applicable Praxis II subject knowledge test prior to teaching a core academic subject class.
• Experienced K–8 Elementary and secondary teachers, K–12 special education teachers, and Title I teachers teaching core academic subject classes must meet High Objective Uniform State Standards of Evaluation requirements or pass the appropriate Praxis II subject area test prior to teaching a core academic subject class.
• Teachers with a secondary major, coursework equivalent to a major or an advanced degree in a core academic subject must meet the federal requirements and are not required, for HQT purposes, to pass a subject area test.

Candidates Recommended for Licensure by Montana's Accredited Educator Preparation Units

Elementary Teachers New-to-the-Profession¹ You meet ESEA's requirements for a "Highly Qualified Teacher" if, as an elementary teacher New-to-the-Profession and licensed effective on or after July 1, 2006, you meet the following:

• hold at least a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university
• complete a Montana Board of Public Education accredited professional educator preparation program
• earn a minimum combined score of eight based on a multi-dimensional content test¹ embedded in the educator preparation program as a condition for recommending new teachers for licensure
• obtain a Montana license (recommendation for licensure and endorsement by an accredited professional education unit)
• teach in your licensed and endorsed subject area

¹The test includes:

1. grade-point average on at least 30 hours of postsecondary content coursework;
2. performance-based assessments of content knowledge and skill conducted by a cooperating teacher and university supervisor; and
3. performance on the Praxis II test.

Secondary Teachers New-to-the-Profession² You meet the ESEA requirements for a "Highly Qualified Teacher" if, as a licensed secondary teacher New-to-the-Profession, you meet the following:

• hold at least a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university
• complete a Montana Board of Public Education accredited professional educator preparation program with a major in an endorsable subject (or the coursework equivalent to a major, or hold an advanced degree in the discipline, or hold a minor in a core academic subject and pass the Praxis II content knowledge test)
• are recommended for licensure by the accredited professional education unit you completed
• obtain a Montana license and endorsement based on the above criteria
• teach in the endorsed subject area

²A teacher New-to-the-Profession means a teacher teaching with less than one year of experience.

To find out more, access Montana's frequently asked questions about Highly Qualified Teacher Status.

Most tests are offered in both Session 1 and Session 2. Refer to the fees page for tests that are restricted to a particular session.

In general, unless it is specifically stated that a calculator is permitted or required for a particular test, calculators may not be used on any Praxis tests (see Calculator Use).

Tests Required for Specific Licensure Areas

n/a — Not available in this delivery method.