I'm trying to become a high school biology teacher. I've already completed my student teaching internship, I've passed the praxis core math exam with the help of a book by Lynn Gardener. But I cannot pass the praxis core reading or writing for the life of me. I've literally used all study help I could find, I took numerous practice exams even ones from the ETS website, as well as utilizing Khan Academy Praxis help, I've attempted those two exams 8 times now, and I'm getting very discouraged. Is it possible to skip the core exams and just pass the subject and grade level exams (in my case, biology 7-12th grade) and get a state teaching license?
We have hired teachers before they passed parts of the Praxis, but only in rare instances of a high-needs subject area. They were hired with the knowledge that they were already scheduled for the exam and had to pass it to keep the job. I am thinking the only way to get around taking the exam is an alternative licensing program of some kind, and even then I’ve heard teachers talk about taking tests. Some private schools hire teachers without certification as long as they have a degree in the area.
I had a difficult time passing the OAE for reading. The subtest I (phonics) was the killer for me. I came across a phenomenal study guide online written for another state's assessment for educators directed for phonics and subtest II which was comprehension. My first score was a 189, which is very dismal. I took that assessment YEARS after I took my phonics courses. After I came across that study guide and studied it every night (in a scaffolding nature), I passed it with a 257. The passing rate was a 220.
DreamerSeeker, hugs. Your state might have alternatives; some states allow SAT/ACT scores to be used for basic skills. Did you get through high school English in what passes for one piece?
As I know, you literally pass the content exam Biology 7-12 and PPR exam then you are eligible to be a Biology teacher. Why do you have to take Reading, Writing, and Praxis?
Have you taken the rest of the exams you are required to take for certification? If you struggle with reading and writing, you may find those to be difficult, as well, as so much is dependent on reading the questions and being able to answer them completely. Unfortunately, even alt certification paths require passing the PRAXIS, or having ACT or SAT scores to substitute. In my cohort in college, we had a couple of people who had to retake the test. It was similar to the CLAST test and some students also used study material from the 8th grade reading state test, then when they mastered that looked at 9th grade material. That was really all they needed to pass the test. The reading looks a lot like the SAT reading section, so maybe looking at some SAT or PSAT reading practice would help. The writing seems very similar to the ACT English section, so it may be useful to study practice designed for those.
The US government requires states that accept federal money for education to test new teachers, but leaves it up to each state to decide which tests to use. The tests you've listed are TExES exams, valid in Texas, just as the CSET exams that I've described elsewhere are good in California; but DreamerSeeker is in one of the states (34 states? I think so) in which at least one exam is a Praxis product.
That's what I was thinking. If you can identify what skills you are lacking then a tutor can help zero in on those things to help you pass.
