If you haven’t taken the exams required for an intern certificate yet, you may be missing out on an opportunity to get into a classroom sooner than you may think.
School districts are expecting another year of teacher shortages, thanks to increased demand and new laws that require educators to pass the appropriate exams before they can apply for an internship.
Enrollment in Texas public schools increased nearly 9% between the 2010-11 and 2020-21 school years. According to the Texas Education Agency, enrollments of certain groups grew as well. The percentage of students who identify as English learners grew from nearly 17% to 21% during that same time period. The percentage of students served in special education programs also grew from 10.7% in 2019-20 to 11.3% in 2020-21.
However, before candidates can apply for teaching internships, they must take and pass at least one content exam in the area or grade level that they wish to teach. You may also have to pass the Science of Teaching Reading (STR) exam as well, depending on which area you are seeking certification.
If you’re enrolled in an educator preparation program, it’s important to put yourself in a position where you can take advantage of any opportunities that come your way. That includes taking your required exams when you are eligible so that you can get to the front of the classroom as soon as possible. Here are a few things to know to help ensure you’re ready.
TExES content exams qualify teachers for certification in more than 60 specialties. Content exams are divided by grade
levels or special certification areas such as special education.
While you must take and pass one content exam to earn your intern or probationary certificate, you can take more than one. This allows you to choose different tests that complement your skill sets and may make you more marketable to potential employers. These tests measure teaching readiness and skills, as well as the expertise in the area you wish to teach.
You can view a list of the current certification areas in Texas in our article, List Of Texas Teacher Certification Tests: What You Must Take To Teach.
Another testing requirement you must meet before you earn your intern certificate is the Texas teaching reading exam, known as the Science of Teaching Reading (STR) exam. Passage of this exam became a requirement beginning Jan. 1, 2021, and is mandated IF you are seeking certification in one of these areas:
The STR is designed to help improve the instruction of reading and writing. It stems from House Bill 3, which requires that any candidate who wishes to teach Pre-K through grade 6 “must demonstrate proficiency in the science of teaching reading on a new, standalone certification examination.”
To take your content exams or the STR, you must be enrolled in an approved teacher training program. At ECAP, here is what a typical timeline looks like:
After you receive a statement of eligibility from ECAP, you can begin the hunt for an internship and take full advantage of job fairs and other opportunities that come your way.
For a more comprehensive breakdown of the steps you should take to become a teacher, check out our Path to Certification in Texas flowchart.
Teaching internships provide invaluable experience in the classroom. They provide the work experience needed to see your
training in action while serving as an opportunity to develop leadership skills. The more experience you have, the more of a competitive advantage you’ll have as you pursue your career as well.
Your teaching experience as an intern is also an important component to a full circle approach to learning. To earn certification in Texas, an individual must complete 300 hours of training, all appropriate testing and student teaching experience.
All three are essential for success. A teacher preparation program that allows you to work on these components simultaneously can offer you a more efficient learning experience.
Think of it this way … an intern’s journey includes three teaching rings: training, testing and teaching. As an individual moves closer to completing each ring’s requirements, the ring will close. However, these rings do not need to close one at a time, or consecutively. They instead close simultaneously as one aspect of training will help another.
Taking advantage of your student teaching opportunities sooner will help you take this comprehensive approach to learning … providing a greater understanding of how everything you learn impacts all aspects of teaching.
It can be challenging to know when to take what exam to make sure your timeline stays on track. The best alternative teacher certification programs will work with you to not only develop an individualized timeline, but also provide you with the resources you need to be successful.
These resources include help with staying on your timeline, test preparation for your teacher certification exams and access to training advisers who will work with you to ensure you are an effective and dynamic teacher for your students.
It’s also important to remember that you are your biggest advocate. Just like Napoleon Hill said, “Your big opportunity may be right where you are now.”
Topics: Becoming A Teacher, Certification Tests
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