Continued Rollout of Computer-Delivered Tests

The Praxis program continues to provide candidates with computer-delivered testing, and by August 2012, 46 test titles will be available on computer, including three multi-subject tests that comprise an additional 11 subtests. During the 2012–13 testing year, an additional 18 test titles will be moving to computer. See below for test titles.

Computer-Delivered Tests available by August 2012

Test Titles moving to computer in 2012–13

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New Praxis™ Test Offerings for 2012–13

The Praxis program is gearing up for the 2012–13 testing year with the launch of 16 regenerated test titles. Multistate Standard Setting Studies will have been completed for most of the following tests prior to their first use in 2012–13. Tests moving to the Praxis score scale only do not require a standard setting study.

States will consider the recommended passing scores from the Standard Setting Studies when they set passing scores for their jurisdictions. Please note that most of the regenerated tests have a new test code number. See the 2012–13 Regenerated Tests chart below for more information about each of these tests. Any state wishing to review the new forms of these tests should contact their Client Relations Director.

Regenerated Tests for 2012–13 testing year:

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Multistate Standard Setting Studies and National Advisory Committees

Multistate Standard Setting Studies (MSSS) and National Advisory Committee (NAC) meetings are still underway for preparation for the 2012–13 testing year. To find the dates of the NAC meetings, MSSS and test administrations, please see the Schedule at a Glance.

Upcoming MSSS Schedule:

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ETS® Data Manager for The Praxis Series™ Tests Online Tutorial

In December, 2011, ETS added a built-in online training resource focused on ETS Data Manager for The Praxis Series tests from the IHE perspective. The tutorial is designed in four sections that address each of the main areas of the tool: navigation, Quick Reports, Custom Reports and My Projects. The user can proceed through the entire tutorial or pick an individual section to review. To access the tutorial, log in to the ETS Data Manager and click the link at the bottom of the screen; the training resource will launch in a separate window. If you have any questions about the ETS Data Manager, please contact your Client Relations Director or send an email to PraxisDataManager@ets.org.

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Piloting of Innovative Item Types

Beginning in June, the Praxis program will begin adding research sections to certain computer-delivered tests. The first tests in which research sections will appear will be Middle School English (5049), Middle School Content Knowledge (5146) and two Elementary Education tests (5011 and 5014).

These sections will allow us to try out new kinds of questions, including questions assessing Content Knowledge for Teaching (CKT)* and questions that take advantage of computer delivery to assess knowledge and skills that go beyond what can be assessed using standard single-selection multiple-choice questions. For example, instead of selecting an answer to a mathematics question, the candidate might be asked to enter a numeric answer using the computer keyboard or by transferring the display from an on-screen calculator. Or, instead of selecting an answer choice to a question about a reading passage, the candidate might be asked to locate the portion of the passage that answers the question.

The research sections will be voluntary and will be administered after candidates have completed their tests. As an incentive, candidates will be eligible for an award of $150, which will be given to those 200 individuals who score highest on the research section relative to their performance on the preceding test. In this way, test takers at all ability levels will be eligible for an award. Candidates who do not wish to participate may exit the section, and their decision to participate or not will have no effect on their scores. Responses will be used for internal research, but no scores will be reported to candidates or institutions, and the anonymity of the candidates will be preserved.

*Content Knowledge for Teaching (CKT) items are tied to teaching practice and are designed to measure the specialized types of content knowledge that teachers need, including "tasks of teaching" and common student misconceptions. These "practice-based" assessments are specific to a subject area and grade range. Since CKT assessments are practice-based, they are defined from the teaching perspective — the items focus on content knowledge unique to teaching practice rather than on straight content knowledge. Practice-based assessments take into consideration the problems teachers may encounter in teaching the content, not just on providing a correct or defensible answer to a content problem.

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The Praxis Client Conference

This year's Praxis Client Conference will be held April 30–May 3, 2012 at the Chauncey Conference Center located on the ETS campus in Princeton, NJ. We look forward to sharing how we continue to expand services to meet your state's specific needs while making innovative advancements in test design. We can't wait to show you our plans for the next generation of The Praxis Series assessments, their alignment with Common Core Standards and what our progress on professional licensure means for teaching quality. You will also have the opportunity to have small group conversations with ETS officers where you can discuss your state's issues and concerns. Don't miss this opportunity to join thought leaders from across the country as we move forward in this very exciting yet challenging time for education. Materials will be distributed in advance so you may prepare questions and comments.

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