TExES Exams

Preparing for the TExES

The Tests

Two tests are usually required to qualify for teacher certification in Texas: a content area exam and a pedagogy and professional responsibilities test. Content knowledge will have been gained in the course of students’ undergraduate studies or through appropriate remedial course work.

VOICE prepares students to take the appropriate pedagogy and professional responsibilities (PPR) tests for their grade levels. The Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES) has now replaced the ExCET in most cases. A full explanation of the changes is given on the TExES/ExCET website at http://www.texes.ets.org/texes/AboutTheTest/.

Before entering the program, diagnostic assessments are required to determine students' readiness for content area exams for the subjects they wish to teach. The PPR will be taken on completion of your studies.

A bar code is required to register for the TExES exams. UHV's certification office will provide a bar code for students conditionally accepted by the VOICE program. You may contact Deborah Westbrook or Emily Harrison for your code.

Students who wish to take the content TExES before enrolling in VOICE classes can be bar coded only once through UHV. Those who do not pass on their first attempt are strongly encouraged to enroll in remedial course work. UHV offers both graduate and undergraduate courses that cover the required subject matter.

TExES Registration Tips

Recommended Study Materials

Official TExES Exam Manuals

Content Exams

1.   101 Generalist EC–4

2.   111 Generalist 4–8

3.   131 English language Arts and Reading 8–12

4.   133 History 8–12

5.   135 Mathematics 8–12

6.   136 Science 8–12

7.   141 Computer Science 8–12 

Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR)

Look for the PPR which is appropriate for the level you are interested in, however studying the other levels will provide additional practice.

1.   EC – 4 Generalist: 100 Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities EC–4

2.   Grade 4 – 8 Generalist: 110 Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities 4–8

3.   Grades 8 – 12:  130 Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities 8–12

Other

Also on this site, look at the Special Education Supplement, 163 Special Education Supplemental.  Many of the questions focus on situations with a student being mainstreamed into the regular classroom.  These are worth reading.

Websites:

www.tea.state.tx.us
It is good to look at the released TAKS tests.  You need to be able to teach children the concepts which will be tested and you might be asked questions regarding situations similar to those on the TAKS questions. I would suggest that you look at the 3rd and 4th grade versions.

It is also advisable to check out the Texas Code of Ethics. Most of it is common sense for professional educators; however it will stimulate thought in this area

In addition, you can find helpful information on UHV Education website: http://www.uhv.edu/edu/Certification/new_teacher_cert.asp

Other website with tutorial resources:
http://www.certifyteacher.com/ A website that has several practice exams for sale. Click products near the top toolbar. It now has a practice generalist k-4 , PPR’s, and other practice exams.

http://www.passthetexes.com/books.htm Study guides and texts for the TExES:
http://www.texes.net/products.php  Study resource

Books

Kortz, Joe, Vickie Hester, Judy Mattair, and Paola Docemascolo. Pass the TExES Generalist 4-8. Wylie, TX: Ed Publishing and Consulting, 2006.

The following book is a very good and has helped many of our EC – 4 students. A number of Grade 4 - 8 students have mentioned that it was very useful for them also.

Nath, Janice L, and John M. Ramsey. Preparing for the Texas PreK-4 Teacher Certification: A Guide to the Comprehensive TExES Content Areas Exam. Boston, MA: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon, 2005.

Nath, Janice L, and Myrna D Cohen. Becoming a Middle School or High School Teacher in Texas. 1st ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning, 2005.

Nath, Janice L, and Myrna D Cohen. Becoming an EC-4 Teacher in Texas: A Course of Study for the Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) TExES. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning, 2003.

Postman, Robert D. How to Prepare for MSAT: Multiple Subjects Assessment for Teachers. New York: Barron's Educational Series, Inc., 1998.

NEW: Ed Speak, A Glossary of Education Terms. Phrases. Busswords, and Jargon. 2007. Diane Ravitch. ISBN: 9781416605751

Praxis content for teachers

Flash cards

Flash cards are available at the Victoria College Bookstore.

TExES Flashcards

Form study groups.  Just working together helps.  It has been great for many students.

Study Guides and Texts to help you succeed on the TExES:
SBEC--State Board of Education Certification for study guides
http://texes.ets.org/prepMaterials/
http://texes.ets.org/

Take the practice test. The School of Education & Human Development has purchased practice tests for all of the areas in which we certify teachers. You can arrange to take the appropriate practice test through Dr. Teresa Le Sage in the Center for Academic Excellence.

Participate in study sessions. Dr. Le Sage conducts study sessions on a regular basis throughout the year. See listserv information below for details.

LISTSERV

Announcements about when and where study sessions are held are posted on the listserv.

To subscribe please send an email by clicking this link: Imailsrv@listserv.uhv.edu

  • Leave the subject line blank.
  • Type subscribe TExES-L your_full_name into the message body
    • i.e. subscribe TExES-L Teresa LeSage.

For more information contact:

Dr. Teresa Le Sage
Office: Victoria Campus, UW264
Email: lesaget@uhv.edu
Phone: 361-570-4303