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 Praxis I (basic skills tests) and appropriate Praxis II subject area test(s) before the start of the summer Training Institute and before enrollment in the Teaching Fellows program can be finalized. 

The Praxis II exam is only offered a few times during the year, so it is crucial that candidates register for and take the exam no later than the April 24 test date.  Please note that candidates invited to interview are required to bring proof of registration for both the Praxis I and Praxis II exams to their interview event.  Failure to register for and pass the Praxis I and II within the appropriate timeframe will jeopardize a candidate’s acceptance into the program.

The Praxis I is a general knowledge exam including sections on reading, writing, and mathematics. All Fellows must take and pass all three sections of the Praxis I (reading, writing, and math) prior to summer Institute. The Praxis I is available in both computer-based and paper-based administrations. Registration is handled by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). 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 set test dates). To learn more about the Praxis I and register for the Praxis I exam visit the ETS website. Please note the limited number of Praxis II dates before you register for your Praxis I exams in order to avoid conflicting test dates.

The Praxis II is a subject area-specific exam. Candidates invited to interview with the Rhode Island Teaching Fellows to teach either math, science or secondary special education will need to take and pass the appropriate Praxis II exam(s). Candidates should review the program eligibility requirements, consider their eligibility when stating subject area preferences on the Fellows online application, and then wait for confirmation of their subject area assignment from the RITF program office before registering for this exam. Candidates invited to interview with the Teaching Fellows program will receive individualized guidance on the appropriate exam(s) for their candidacy with their invitation to interview and are urged to register at that time for their exam.

Candidates invited to interview must bring proof of registration for both the Praxis I and Praxis II to their interview event.  Candidates will take the Praxis II exam(s) that match their subject area assignment for the subject he/she may teach in the fall.

The Praxis II is offered in a paper-based test administration, and registration is handled by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Please note that the Praxis II has limited test dates, and it takes several weeks to receive scores.  Candidates to the 2010 cohort of Teaching Fellows must take the Praxis II exam(s) no later than April 24, 2010.  Many people find the Praxis II exam challenging and may need to take the exam more than once in order to receive a passing score.  The April 24 test date is the last possible date to take the Praxis II and have scores returned in advance of the Training Institute.  To learn more about the Praxis II and to register for the Praxis II exam (exam dates are listed below) visit the ETS website once you have received instructions from the Fellows office.

Praxis Preparation

Don't underestimate the PRAXIS.  The test [is] difficult, especially to people coming back to the content after some time away.

- 2009 Math Fellow

It is imperative that all candidates STUDY thoroughly for the Praxis I and Praxis II exams. The exams often prove difficult even for individuals with deep content knowledge or relevant professional experience. As you prepare, consider the following recommendations and resources:

• Visit www.ets.org for information about the Praxis II. Select the Tests at a Glance feature 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 needing study materials beyond these ETS resources
• Refer to college and high school textbooks focused on the appropriate subject matter for your Praxis II exam
• Consider purchasing study guides from major test prep providers 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 you may know

Note that it is common for candidates to take the exams a second time due to failure on the first attempt. Therefore, the Rhode Island Teaching Fellows program strongly recommends that candidates register now for the Praxis I, and that candidates invited to interview with the program register for the Praxis II as soon as possible upon receiving individualized direction on which exam to take.   April 24, 2010 is the last possible date to take the Praxis II and have scores returned in advance of the Training Institute.

All candidates will be required to submit proof of test registration and/or scores if invited to interview with the program, and all Fellows must prove that they have passed the Praxis I and Praxis II prior to the start of the summer Training Institute. Candidates who do not meet these testing requirements will not be permitted to continue on in the Teaching Fellows program. Please note that it takes approximately one month to receive test scores for the Praxis II exams. Test takers who registered online for a paper-based test must access test scores via their Praxis account – score reports will no longer be mailed.

The following tables list upcoming dates for paper-based test administrations for the Praxis II as well as the registration deadlines:

Notes about registration:

• Registrations must be received by ETS by the deadlines listed above
• Late Registration fee: $45
• Emergency Registration deadline fee: $75
• Emergency Registration is only available with online registration
• Scores are available via phone and online
• You can login to your Praxis Profile to view your score report
• Test takers can get test scores early by utilizing the Scores by Phone service for an additional $30 fee
• For more information about test dates and registration visit the ETS website.

Candidates are responsible for all Praxis registration costs (note that there is an additional fee for late registration).

Note that Fellows will take an additional exam, The Praxis II: Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) Grades 7-12 during their first year of teaching and before completion of their certification coursework. More information will be provided to Fellows on this exam.

All Fellows will begin their careers in education by teaching students in the schools and in the subject areas where high-quality teachers are needed the most. By teaching high-need subjects such as math, science or secondary special education you will have the opportunity to impact student achievement in significant and meaningful ways for your students.

Want to learn more? If you have further questions about exams required to teach in Rhode Island public schools through this program, please contact us at info@rhodeislandteachingfellows.org. Please be sure to read the Eligibility page for additional information on program eligibility requirements.

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