Texas law requires each person seeking educator certification to perform satisfactorily on comprehensive examinations. The purpose of these examinations is to ensure that each educator has the necessary content and professional knowledge to perform satisfactorily in Texas public schools. The Texas Examination of Educator Standards (TExES) was developed for this purpose.
Prospective teachers must pass two TExES exams: 1) Content Specialization and 2) Pedagogy and Professional Responsibility (PPR).
Content Specialization Examination
This test assesses a candidates content knowledge. To be eligible for this test, a student must have completed or be enrolled in the last courses in his or her teaching field.
Test Date: All students for the 2009 cohort will take their respective Content Specialization TExES test on the January 31, 2009, administration date. Students who have submitted ALL required applications and scores will be given the TExES application form at one of the mandatory orientation meetings held in January 2009. Meeting dates and times will be announced at a later time.
A passing score of 240 on the Content area Texas Examination of Educator Standards (TExES) is required for admission to the Post-Baccalaureate Program. Scores will be mailed to students on February 23, 2009. Scores will also be available electronically to students on that day. As soon as a student receives the report of his or her test, a copy should be provided to the Post-Baccalaureate Certification Office, Harrington Tower 320. Students who do not provide a copy of their test results to the office will not be enrolled in the fall certification courses.
Students who fail to achieve a score of 240 or better on the January 31, 2009, administration will not be admitted to the program and will not be allowed to enroll the summer courses.
Pedagogy and Professional Responsibility Test
During the spring semester of the internship part of the Post-Baccalaureate program, students will take the Pedagogy and Professional Responsibility Test. Registration materials for this test are distributed during the fall semester seminar. All students in the 2009 cohort will take the PPR at the first spring 2010 administration. A score of 240 is required on the Pedagogy and Professional Responsibility exam. Students who fail to achieve the passing score on the first test will not be recommended for certification. Students may take the test additional times until a passing score is achieved.
