From: "Peter L. Sroufe" 
Subject: SNET: 40 percent of state's teacher candidates fail basic skills test
Date: 8 Jun 1999 12:39:34 -0400
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June 7, 1999

40 percent of state's teacher candidates fail basic skills test
BY PHILIP WALZER, The Virginian-Pilot
Copyright 1999, Landmark Communications Inc.


Forty percent of Virginia's prospective teachers failed the math and writing
sections of a basic skills test given at the state's colleges last year.

Nearly 30 percent failed the reading part of the national Praxis I exam,
according to figures released by the state.

The pass results in all subjects were a few percentage points lower than
those for 1996-97, the first year the test was given in Virginia.

The numbers intensify growing concerns about the preparation of students in
public schools and the quality of teachers at those schools. At the same
time, they renew questions about whether such tests can measure teaching
ability.

``I think it would be shocking if you gave it to every higher-education
student and 40 percent failed, regardless of whether they were in teacher
education,'' said Patte Barth, senior associate of the Education Trust group
in Washington. ``It's a high-school-level test.''

Barth co-wrote a report, released last month, criticizing exams like the
Praxis as far too easy.

Officials say Virginia's numbers should be viewed in context:


They include some students who decide not to enter -- or who don't get
accepted into -- teacher education programs.

They reflect the fact that Virginia has set the highest passing score in the
nation. Each state using the test decides its minimum acceptable score.

They are roughly 10 percentage points higher than what the Educational
Testing Service predicted, based on national scores. ETS administers the
Praxis.
Mychele Brickner, chairwoman of Virginia's advisory committee on teacher
education, is still discouraged. ``It is a very basic knowledge test,''
Brickner said. ``I would think high school seniors would be able to pass
this test.

``If you have a teacher who you're going to put into a classroom to teach
kids and they can't pass a 10th-grade test, what does this tell you about
the quality of the teacher?''

A study by the state Department of Education breaks down data by colleges.
The college-by-college figures have been edited to include only the results
of students accepted into teacher education programs, said Thomas Elliott,
an assistant state superintendent. Even so, some universities, including
Norfolk State, had rates far below 50 percent.

In the math section, 17 percent of NSU's students passed -- the lowest rate
among Virginia colleges. Less than 30 percent at NSU passed reading or
writing.

``Yes, it appears that our scores are low, but putting into place the
appropriate resources, I believe they will rise to the occasion,'' said
Denise Littleton, acting dean of education. ``They have done so before.''

In the 1980s, NSU pulled up low pass rates on the National Teacher Exam, the
predecessor of the Praxis.

Littleton said Norfolk State will expand workshops to help students master
basic skills, and will toughen entrance requirements: Starting in the fall,
students will have to pass the test in their sophomore year before they can
take education courses.

Old Dominion University recently adopted a similar policy. Christopher
Newport University has had it since the Praxis tests were started -- which
is why CNU was among the few schools listed with 100 percent pass rates.

``I do think that it is one insurance method of providing quality
candidates,'' said Jane Bailey, chairwoman of CNU's education department.
``We feel that in order to be a teacher in Virginia, you need to be
literate.''

Virginia requires people to pass the Praxis before they receive a teacher's
license. That gives colleges wide latitude in considering the exam.

Virginia Wesleyan allows students to take education courses without having
passed the test. But they must pass before they begin student-teaching,
generally in their senior year, said Karen Bosch, the education coordinator.

Hampton has among the most liberal policies: Students must take the exam,
but they don't have to pass it to graduate.

``We feel the passing of an exam in some cases could hinder certain good
teachers from entering the profession,'' said Wanda Mitchell, chairwoman of
the department of education.

Under the state's policies, a person could graduate without passing the
Praxis, obtain a provisional license and teach for three years. If, after
that time, the teacher still hasn't passed, he or she would be unable to
continue teaching.

That happens, and Elliott, the assistant superintendent, hears about it.
``The parents want me to explain why their child finished student teaching,
did very well in terms of GPA, taught successfully for three years, but is
not going to get a contract to teach the beginning of the fourth year,'' he
said.

Brickner wants to change that. She said her group, the Advisory Board on
Teacher Education and Licensure, will probably ask the state Board of
Education to require all Virginia students to pass the test before entering
a teacher education program.

``If we're demanding well-prepared students, we've got to have well-prepared
teachers,'' said Brickner, who is also a member of the Fairfax County School
Board. ``The only way to get there is to raise the bar.''

Mitchell thinks too much emphasis is being put on the test.

``It should only be one variable when you are making decisions about a
person,'' she said, citing other factors such as portfolios and
student-teaching experience. ``One exam cannot be a total indicator of the
success of an individual.''


Each of the sections of the Praxis test contains 40 to 45 multiple-choice
questions. The writing portion includes an essay. The math section includes
questions on equations, geometry and fractions.

Math can be the toughest, especially for older students, said Bosch, the
Wesleyan coordinator. ``The key to all this is you need to spend time
preparing,'' she said. That's why students sometimes fail their first time
around, but pass after they buckle down, she said.

Alfred Thomas, an adult student at Christopher Newport, recently passed the
test, but didn't find it easy.

``I don't think anyone walking right off the street could pass any of it,''
he said. But would-be teachers should have to, he said. ``If they can't,
they just don't have it.''

A Washington think tank, the Fordham Foundation, shares the growing interest
in assuring the quality of teachers. But in a recent report, it said such
tests aren't the answer. Instead, teachers should be evaluated based on
student performance; principals should have more leeway to fire teachers;
and states should relax entrance requirements for promising adults looking
for second careers.

``We continue to set minimum standards for inputs without looking at teacher
performance in the classroom,'' said Lil Tuttle, a former state Board of
Education member who signed a statement endorsing the study.

One thing is clear, said Thomas: Teachers had better get used to being
evaluated. ``It's just going to be a series of tests from here on.''


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Sample Praxis Questions
Reading
Lyndon Johnson's father once told him that he did not belong in politics
unless he could walk into a room full of people and tell immediately who was
for him and who was against him. In fact, even the shrewd Johnson had not
quite such occult power, but his liking for this story tells us something
useful about him: He set much store by instinct.


Which of the following words, if substituted for the word ``occult,'' would
introduce the least change in the meaning of the sentence? A) legendary B)
subtle C) invisible D) persuasive E) supernatural


Math
Which of the sales commissions shown below is greatest? A)1% of $1,000 B)10%
of $200 C)12.5% of $100 D)15% of $100 E)25% of $40



Answers: Reading -- E, Math -- B. Source: Educational Testing Service


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