Testing Requirements for the Luther College Teacher Education Program

The State of Iowa requires all Teacher Education Preparation programs to establish an “entrance testing” requirement and publish the score requirements.

Luther College Teacher Education Program offers two options for our students.

A.        Students planning to teach in the State of Minnesota

Minnesota licensure requires candidates to take the “MN Teacher” entrance test which is offered via Pearson Corporation.  Information regarding these tests are available on the MN Department of Education Website.  Students should register for their Basic Skills test.  In this way, you will already have this testing completed when you are ready to apply for your teaching license.  Luther College will accept the passing scores that are equal to the State of MN passing scores.

Minnesota Teacher Licensure Examinations (MTLE)

On September 1, 2010, the Minnesota Board of Teaching launched a new generation of licensure tests.  The new testing program is called the MINNESOTA TEACHER LICENSURE EXAMINATIONS (MTLE).  A series of Frequently Asked Questions is available here to provide information about the testing program and requirements. 

http://education.state.mn.us/MDE/Teacher_Support/Educator_Licensing/Licensing_Info/Teacher_Testing_Requirements/index.html

B.        All other students – Please register for the PPST with ETS at ETS.org.  This test is given on Luther College’s campus.

All students taking PPST testing or Praxis II testing – Register at ets.org 

             Note:  The registration deadline is approximately one month BEFORE the testing date. 

Passing scores for Luther Teacher Education Program (TEP)

Students are responsible for downloading their score reports approximately one-month after the testing date.  Score reports are NOT MAILED out by the ETS corporation.

Another ETS PPST option if you have a date conflict with the national dates - Take the test at a “testing center” on a computer. This is similar to making a doctor appointment. Call the number and they will tell you about available openings. 

·         Register by calling Prometric Candidate Services [M-F 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.] at 1-800-853-6773 to schedule an appointment at your convenience.

·         Rochester and La Crosse are the closest testing centers.

·         You must use either an American Express, Discover Network, JCB, Visa, or MasterCard credit card.

·         [Note:  To take the computerized PPST, you do not register online.] You may take the Computerized PPST only once per calendar month, and no more than 6 times within a 12-month period—this does not include paper and pencil tests.

General Testing Information: 

A passing score report must be in your Luther Education Department student file in order to apply for the Teacher Education Program. 

All students must have passing scores in order to be admitted into the Professional Semester (Student Teaching).

All students must successfully complete testing in order to apply for the Teacher Education Program and all students must be approved in order to register for any Education courses at the 300 or above level.

Praxis II Testing

Luther College Education Department Policy:  Students need to check the DOE website of the state in which they plan to become a licensed teacher for specific Praxis II requirements. There are too many variables involved in license configurations to be able to answer each student’s questions regarding test selection for each state.

Website:  To register: http://www.ets.org/praxis

Some general information:

• Praxis II tests are given on all ETS testing dates at Luther College.

• Students may NOT take this test online at a testing center.

• States usually require two tests:  one “content area” test and one pedagogy test “Principles of Learning and Teaching or PLT”.  The PLT is given on levels of students taught ~ Elementary  K – 6 ~ Middle School 5 – 8 and High School 7 – 12.  Some states permit you to choose a level and other states require that you have tested at all levels that you are going to be teaching in.  Some states require an initial content area [i.e. elementary] and then a test in each endorsement area ~ special education, ESL, Reading, etc.

Elementary Majors Only:  You will need the Praxis II Content Test for Iowa Licensure.  You may choose between the Elementary Content Knowledge Test or the Elementary Curriculum Instruction and Assessment Test.