For decades, teacher licensure has relied on traditional tests designed to measure whether candidates know the subject they intend to teach. Yet these exams have often missed the broader set of skills today’s classrooms demand, such as high‑leverage instructional practices (HLPs), durable professional competencies or AI‑readiness.
As a result, many promising educators enter classrooms underprepared for the realities of the job and soon leave the profession altogether, contributing to the national teacher shortage.
In this article, I’ll share how Praxis is responding to this challenge, drawing on the latest research and feedback from educators.
From knowing to doing: Measuring teaching performance
A growing body of evidence suggests that licensure assessments should move beyond measuring teacher’s content knowledge to how they operate in real classrooms. That’s why Praxis is evolving to incorporate real-time performance measures, allowing candidates to demonstrate and refine their teaching practice before entering the classroom. These new solutions include interactive HLP modules that let candidates practice pivotal teaching strategies — from orchestrating productive class discussions to guiding small-group instruction and assessing student thinking in the moment — ensuring they build essential day-one skills through realistic scenarios.
Even more exciting developments are on the way as AI evolves to enable the creation of immersive classroom simulations, which will allow aspiring teachers to practice high-leverage instructional skills in realistic, digital environments.
The importance of durable skills and AI fluency
In addition to the HLPs described above, quality teacher preparation increasingly depends on durable professional skills such as communication, collaboration, problem-solving and adaptability. A recent analysis of 21,000 teacher job advertisements confirms that these skills are among the most in-demand for educators. Further research is already underway to incorporate these competencies into future assessments, reflecting the evolving expectations of schools and districts.
To address this, we are enhancing the Praxis catalog with new components that specifically measure communication, collaboration and critical thinking — ensuring that candidates are ready for the realities of teaching.
As technology transforms education, teachers must also be prepared to use AI responsibly. Praxis is responding to this challenge with new rubrics and simulation-based scenarios that directly assess AI-readiness. Rooted in the latest research frameworks for AI literacy, the Praxis catalog will soon include assessments that focus on teachers’ ability to access and evaluate information, support student learning with technology, and navigate the ethical implications of AI in education.
Supporting teacher candidates through flexible pathways and targeted prep
Praxis is also developing solutions to support the increasing number of candidates taking diverse routes to licensure, shaped by their backgrounds, preparation pathways and support systems. Some candidates pass licensure tests quickly, while others need more time or multiple attempts. A key aspect of the Praxis research agenda is studying patterns in test performance and test preparation, to help predict whether candidates will keep trying, succeed or stop pursuing licensure.
We’re learning more about how affordable, structured preparation tools can make a real difference, especially for candidates from underrepresented groups. When candidates have access to targeted support and resources, their pass rates improve and they’re more likely to persist.
To address these needs, innovations such as Praxis Bridge™ and Praxis Steps™ offer flexible, modular testing options to make the licensure journey smoother. With Praxis Steps, candidates can take smaller sections (“steps”) of the exam, focus on the areas where they need the most help and bank passing scores as they go — reducing stress and avoiding the need to retake the entire test. Praxis Bridge provides targeted support for candidates who are close to passing, helping them strengthen specific skills and move forward.
These candidate-friendly supports save time and money, give individuals more control over their licensure journey, and help build a stronger, more diverse teacher pipeline.
The path forward
Teaching has never been a static profession, and licensure should not be either. Built on ETS’s long-standing research legacy, Praxis is evolving to measure the knowledge, skills and real-world practice that define effective teacher preparation today.
Our goal is not simply to assess teachers, but to strengthen the profession itself; reducing barriers, supporting growth, and ensuring more capable, confident educators reach and remain in classrooms. As part of this commitment, Praxis is integrating research-backed innovations, including performance-based assessments, flexible testing pathways, and HLPs, to better reflect the realities of today’s classrooms and support educator success from day one.