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December 2009 MACTE Minute

Mon, 12/21/2009 - 12:11pm — assistant
      As we move toward the introduction of a new academic skills test in September of next year, replacing the ETS Praxis I exam with the Pearson MTLE basic skills test, it is imperative to note unintended effects of moving from a test equated to high school performance in reading, writing, and the use of mathematics to a new test designed to verify those academic skills at the level of college sophomores.  While MACTE supports high standards for all teachers in Minnesota and across the nation, let’s focus for a minute on what this new basic skills test might mean for pre-service teacher candidates of color.
      Years of Praxis I results are clear; students of color do not pass the current Praxis I, or other standardized tests, at the same rate as do white students. With the adoption of the Pearson MTLE test we might expect that many more prospective teachers, including candidates of color, will not clear this hurdle. While we are searching for new ways to improve the diversity of Minnesota’s teachers, working to find and preparing more teachers of color who can better serve as role models for our K-12 students, Minnesota will be discouraging those seeking to become teachers who cannot pass a standardized test set at arbitrary level without regard for unintended consequences. The very people our schools, colleges, and departments of education are trying to encourage, mentor and support may thus be denied access to teacher education programs.   (Full MACTE Minute)
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