Molly Kelly-Elliott, M.Ed.
Clinical Faculty & Undergraduate Advisor
Special Education Program
Miami University
Department of Educational Psychology
201E McGuffey Hall
Oxford, Ohio 45056
(513)529-1711
________________________________________
From: Kelly-Elliott, Molly MEd Ms.
Sent: Monday, August 30, 2010 12:45 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Cc: Kelly-Elliott, Molly MEd Ms.; Terrill, Paul Jr.
Subject: PRAXIS II EXAMS

Dear Juniors and Seniors:

I have had a number of questions about the Praxis II exams - what and when they are required. Please read below for clarification.

1.  Special Education majors are NOT required to pass the Praxis II before student teaching. (EDT majors are required to do so - this often creates some confusion).

2. Special Education majors ARE required to pass the Praxis II exams before a license will be granted in Ohio. Special Education majors should NOT take the Praxis II until they have completed the middle childhood content block and EDP 256, 494 and 496.

3. If you do not plan to teach in Ohio, I still STRONGLY URGE YOU  to take the Praxis II exams and obtain an Ohio license. This will make it much easier to obtain a teaching license in another state.

4. What tests are required?
     a.) In order to obtain your K-12 Multi-Age Mild-Moderate license in Ohio, you must pass the Praxis II in your special education area, Test # 0354.  (Note: Previously you were required to take 0353. This is a change. The correct test # is 0354) AND a PLT (Principles of Learning & Teaching) test.
     b.) The PLT test has 3 choices for you, Early Childhood, MIddle CHildhood and Adolescent/Young Adult (AYA). SInce you take the Middle Childhood Content Pedagogy in your junior year, we recommend the Middle Childhood PLT, test # 0523.

Each test is 2 hours and individually, each costs $80. If you take two in one day it will cost $120. For registration and additional information, please visit the ets.org website and click on Praxis.

5. Is that all?   NO!  Currently, teachers are being asked to obtain "Highly Qualified Teacher" status, which can mean passing yet another Praxis II exam.
You have a number of options. We recommend you take the Middle School English/Language Arts test, #0049. In Ohio, this will qualify you through high school as an Intervention Specialist in those areas.
You are more than welcome to take the Praxis in math, science or social studies if you feel confident and so desire.
OR, you may choose to do some interviewing first and ask what additional Praxis test the district is seeking, which may depend upon the position, grade etc.
You can begin to ask around at this Spring's Teacher Job Fair, if you like.

HOW TO PREPARE:
For the PLT, it is recommended that you attend the PLT prep sessions offered for the division by Teresa McGowan.
For the Special Education, the PLT and any others:
Go to ets.org
Click on Praxis series
Click on Prepare for a Test
From drop down bar choose your test, for example, 0354 Special Education: Core Knowledge and Applications
Click on Test at a Glance
Be sure to scroll through all of it for information on areas covered and sample questions
You might also want to scan General Information and Study Tips as well as Reducing Test Anxiety.
There are materials for purchase but I think most are fine with a thorough review of the free materials.

I hope this helps everyone!
Good Luck!
MKE



Molly Kelly-Elliott, M.Ed.
Clinical Faculty & Undergraduate Advisor
Special Education Program
Miami University
Department of Educational Psychology
201E McGuffey Hall
Oxford, Ohio 45056
(513)529-1711