State Licensing
Students in the Holy Cross College Education Program are enrolled in a performance-based program leading to an initial license in the State of Indiana. This initial license will define at least one developmental level (early childhood, middle childhood - elementary; early adolescence - middle school; or adolescence, young adult - high school) and a content area (ie elementary generalist, math, ELL/ENL).
Students will need to pass the appropriate Praxis test to their content area, and developmental level. Students are responsible for the cost of the tests. Some information is available below, however, much more is available at the Education Testing Services website, www.ets.org.
In Indiana, an initial license is valid for five years. Licenses in other states may vary. Generally, additional coursework and/or professional experience is required for renewal of the license. Check with an education advisor or the licensing chair for additional information.
Praxis
The Indiana Professional Standards Board, in accordance with state law requires that all candidates for teacher licenses pass the Praxis I test of Reading, Writing, and Math, and the Praxis II test in the content area of licensure. Below are the required tests codes and qualifying scores.
| Test Name | Code | Qual. Score |
|---|---|---|
| Praxis I (PPST) | ||
| Reading | 176 | |
| Writing | 172 | |
| Math | 175 | |
| OR | ||
| Reading (computer based test: CBT) | 323 | |
| Writing (computer based test: CBT) | 318 | |
| Math (computer based test: CBT) | 320 | |
| Praxis II | ||
| ELEM, Ed.: Curriculum, Instruction, & Assess. | 10011 | 165 |
| Reading Specialist | 0300 | 370 |
Go to the ETS web site for more information: www.ets.org.
License Test Fee Waivers
While students are responsible for their own test fees, the Education Testing Service (ETS) has recently developed a process that addresses the various hardships that many students face. ETS offers test fee remission to students that earn modest salaries. To inquire about a fee waiver, contact ETS directly at (800) 772-9476.
License Process
Certification is the term frequently used to describe the process by which students acquire a teaching license. Acquiring a teacher license is a complex task, and can sometimes be overwhelming. Because the responsibility for education was deemed a state function when the constitution was written, each state determines the qualifications for its teachers. As a result, a student graduating from a teacher education program in Ohio, will be eligible for a license in Ohio, but may need to take additional tests or courses to be licensed in Michigan.
Generally, states license teachers using one of two methods: required credits and courses, or performance standards which a candidate must meet. The agency within a state, which is responsible for the licensing of teachers, is usually a state teachers’ professional standards board or a division within a state department of education.
The process for obtaining a license is as follows. A candidate completes an approved teacher education program within the state and requests from the state’s professional standards board or state department of education an application for a license. The majority of states also require a satisfactory score on some form of competency test. Most states test the subject matter competency, ie math or biology. Some states also test basic competency in reading, writing, and math. Many also require tests of basic pedagogical skills. Candidates need to contact the teacher licensing board or department in a particular state to determine which tests need to be completed. Many states us Praxis tests, including Indiana. Various states, may use various cut-off scores, for the same test.
License candidates code their application and have scores sent to the state and to the college. Most states require a portion of the application to be completed by the college education advisor and/or licensing chair. Generally, states also require a criminal history check. Once all paperwork is submitted to the state agency it usually takes 2-6 weeks to obtain a license in Indiana. The length of time in other states vary.
Internship Period
The State of Indiana and many other states require an internship period that is generally the first one or two years following initial license. Teachers are paid full salary and benefits during this time and depending on the state, often are assigned a mentor teacher or other support system to assist with questions, and evaluation through the first year.
Application and Information
For more information regarding Indiana Licensing please go to the Division of Professional Standards web site: www.doe.state.in.us/dps