What in the world is the TExES?

1. What in the world is the TExES? By Christine Callahan

2. TExES • Stands for: • Texas • Examination • X (of) • Educator • Standards • This means this is a test of the standards for teachers as devised by the state of Texas.

3. TExES • These are the examinations a prospective teacher must take to be certified. • There are at least two areas in which you must be tested: • PPR (Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities) • Content (EC-4 Generalist, 4-8 Social Studies, 8-12 Math, etc.

4. TExES • If you are seeking bilingual certification you must also take a TOPT test of oral language. • If you are seeking special education certification, you will take a PPR test, an EC-12 Special Education test and the EC-4 Generalist Test if you are are seeking certification in that area.

5. TExES • The Texas Examination of Teacher Standards are based on learning theory, research and best practices. • It is not based on some common practices that you see in the classroom, at your campus or in your district.

6. TExES • The STANDARDS are made up of DOMAINS and COMPETENCY STATEMENTS, with DESCRIPTIVE STATEMENTS.

7. TExES • Beginning teacher knowledge is what is tested. • You will find this information at: • www.texes.ets.org/prepMaterials • You will click on the test that you need and print it out.

8. TExES • You will read and highlight the key words of the DOMAINS • You will read and highlight the key words of the COMPETENCY STATEMENTS. • You will brainstorm what the key words and phrases mean.

9. TExES • For example, in the descriptive statement of the competency, it says: • The beginning teacher: • Incorporates students’ different approaches to learning (e.g.) auditory, visual, tactile, kinesthetic, into instructional practices. • In the margin to the left you would write: • Auditory – learns by listening • Visual – learns by seeing • Tactile – learns by touching • Kinesthetic – learns by moving and doing.

10. TExES • Once you have done this for all of the domains and competencies, read about how to answer the sample questions. • The sample questions are in item formats of three types of multiple choice questions: • Single items • Clustered items • Teacher decision sets

11. TExES • The best test-taking strategies include: • Reading and underlining or highlighting key words and phrases in the question stem and in the answer choices.

12. Test-taking strategies • Eliminating the ones that you know to be wrong – that refer to another competency or are not best practices or based on learning theory and research.

13. Test taking strategies • Examining the wording in the question stem and the answer choices. Look for wording that is similar in the question and the correct answer.

14. There are several key ideas to remember: • Students do not SIT and GET! • Students are ACTIVELY-INVOLVED in the learning process: • Thinking • Doing • Problem-solving • Proposing • Hypothesizing • Brainstorming • Risk-taking

15. Key ideas continued: • Picture the IDEAL classroom with plenty of resources • Money is available for field trips • You must keep in mind Texas Laws, the Code of Ethics for Teachers and federal laws.

16. Teachers are not the “sage on the stage” but the GUIDE on the SIDE. • Coaching • Facilitating • Encouraging • Providing an ideal learning environment.

17. Keep in mind: • KIDSteachers

18. Keep all of these suggestions in mind and: • PLAN a COURSE of STUDY

19. Materials: • The best materials to use for the PPR (Pedagogy and Responsibilities) exam are the: • Barron’s How to Prepare for the TExES • REA’s The Best Test Preparation for the TExES • Additional materials are available at higher costs.

20. For the CONTENT EXAM: • For EC-4: • Preparing for the Texas Pre-K Teacher Certification. • For 4-8 and 8-12 Content Exams: • Textbooks from the subject area you need. • TAKS tests, including the end-of-course tests. • Review books in specific content areas such as American history.

21. You may also find materials at: • www.passthetexes.com • www.xamonline.com • www.texesreviews.com • www.teachingsolutions.org • http://www.mo-media.com/texes

22. The UHCL courses that prepare you for the certification exams are credit/non-credit courses: • TCED 4010 for EC-4 • Taught by Deani Quick, Sally Coleman and Chris Callahan • TCED 4012 for 4-12 • Taught by Chris Callahan

23. These are taught every semester including summer. • When you take and pass ALL of the State tests that are required for your certification and with at least an 80% and/or the TExES state exam with at least a 240/300 point score, then you will get credit for the course. • If you do not get credit at the end of the semester, you may attend the class each semester until you do so. • You may receive free tutoring from your instructors if you need it.

24. The State Assessments Office at Bayou 1231 is where you may receive information and get answers to your questions. Just call 281-283-3609 or e-mail Sally Coleman.

25. The TExES and TOPT tests cost $120.00 per test. • You may register online at: • http://www.texes.ets.org/registrationBulletin/ • You may take either a paper test or a COMPUTER ADMINISTERED TEST (CAT). • Check the website above to see which tests are currently available as a CAT.

26. You may register at: • http://texes.ets.org/registrationBulletin/ • Read the bulletin completely to answer all of your questions.

27. Just remember: • Don’t be scared, be prepared!