“I have always wanted to teach, and it was especially important that I work in an environment that needs me most. I found that teachNOLA was just as committed to raising the bar of education in New Orleans as I was.”

-2008 Fellow

 

Testing Requirements

teachNOLA Teaching Fellows seeks applicants who realize that one teacher's influence can change the possibilities for numerous students. Fellows possess the drive to go above and beyond all expectations for both themselves and their students. To ensure that Fellows enter their teaching careers as highly-qualified new educators, ready to earn their teaching certification, Fellows must register for, study for, and pass the following exams:

  • Praxis I
  • Praxis II Subject Assessment

Candidates that are invited to interview with teachNOLA will receive a subject assignment with their invitation to interview, including guidance on the appropriate Praxis II test for their candidacy.

 

Mid-Year Program

All Fellows must prove that they have passed the Praxis I exam by the start of training by submitting their official Praxis Score Report to the program office. Candidates will receive more information on the Mid-Year testing requirements during the application process. Candidates should plan to take the Praxis II exam on either November 15, 2008 or January 10, 2009.

 

Summer Program

All Fellows must prove that they have passed the Praxis I and Praxis II prior to the start of Summer Institute by submitting their official Praxis Score Report to the program office. Candidates who do not meet testing requirements will not be permitted to continue in the Teaching Fellows program. The absolute last day to take and pass the Praxis II exam(s) for the 2009 Fellows cohort is April 25, 2009.

 

Test Information

The Praxis I is a general knowledge exam including sections on reading, writing, and mathematics. All Fellows (unless you meet the testing waiver requirements) must take and pass all three sections of the Praxis I (reading, writing, and math) prior to Summer Institute. The Praxis I test is available in both computer-based and paper-based format. The Educational Testing Services (ETS) handles registration. We strongly encourage candidates to register as soon as possible for the next available computer-based test administration. (The computer-based version is available on a daily basis, while the paper-based version is only available on limited pre-determined test dates). Candidates are responsible for all Praxis I registration fees.

For more information about the Praxis I, click here.

To register for the Praxis I, click here.

Exemptions from the Praxis I

To waive the Praxis I requirement, candidates must submit one of the following documents to teachNOLA by the start of Summer Institute:

  • An official ACT score report with composite score of 22 or above
  • An official SAT score report with a combined verbal and math score of 1030 or above
  • An official Master’s Degree transcript from a regionally accredited college/university

If at all possible, candidates are encouraged to bring the official copy (no photocopies accepted) of one of these documents to the interview event. Please note that candidates applying to the Mid-Year program cannot waiver out of the Praxis I testing requirement and must take this test by the start of the training Institute.

 

The Praxis II Subject Assessment is a subject area specific exam. Candidates that are invited to interview with teachNOLA receive a tentative subject assignment with their invitation to interview and are urged to register at that time for their Praxis II Subject Assessment(s). Candidates also have access to a Testing Guide, which outlines in detail the test(s) required for the candidate’s subject area. Candidates should not register for the Praxis II exam(s) until they receive their tentative subject assignment and review the Testing Guide.

 

The Praxis II Subject Assessment is offered in a paper-based test administration, and the Educational Testing Service (ETS) handles registration. Candidates are responsible for all Praxis II registration fees.

 

For more information about the Praxis II, click here.  

 

To register for the Praxis II (exam dates listed below), click here.

 

    Registration Deadlines

 

Test

Date*

Regular

Deadline

Late

Deadline

Emergency Deadline
11/15/08
10/16/08
10/23/08
11/7/08
1/10/09
12/11/08
12/18/08
1/2/09
3/14/09
2/12/09
2/19/09
3/6/09
4/25/09
3/26/09
4/2/09
4/17/09

*Please note that most tests are offered on these dates. Click here for a detailed list of tests offered for each date.


Test Preparation

It is imperative that all candidates STUDY thoroughly for both the Praxis I and Praxis II exams. Teachers and teachNOLA candidates - even those with deep content knowledge or professional experience - state that it is imperative to study and prepare well ahead of the exams. The earlier the exams are taken, the more chances are afforded for re-taking the test.

As you prepare, consider the following test preparation resources that Fellows have recommended:

  • Visit www.ets.org for information. Select the Tests at a Glance feature for the Praxis I and Praxis II to access an overview of the material covered on the exam and download sample test problems. Consider purchasing ETS’ Praxis Study Guides. However, please note that many candidates report that the exams are more rigorous and difficult than these study guides; thus candidates will likely need study materials beyond these ETS resources
  • Refer to college and high school textbooks focused on the appropriate subject matter for your Praxis II. Review math textbooks in preparation for the math section of the Praxis I, as well
  • Consider purchasing study guides from major test preparation providers (e.g., Barrons, Kaplan, Princeton Review, etc.) at a local library or bookstore
  • Actively search the internet for additional test prep materials and resources
  • Form study groups with other candidates or teachers

Although teachNOLA does not specifically endorse any of these materials, and while individual's test preparation needs will vary, Fellows have cited these resources as helpful starting points in studying for these important tests.

Please note: it is common for candidates to take the Praxis II and/or sections of the Praxis I a second time due to failure on the first attempt. Therefore, teachNOLA strongly recommends that candidates register for the Praxis I now and that candidates invited to interview with teachNOLA register as soon as possible for the Praxis II upon receipt of their tentative subject assignment. This allows candidates to maximize their chances to have time to re-take the exam(s) if needed.