Licensure tests play a critical role in any profession. Well-designed tests both delineate the core competencies that are required to enter a profession and provide evidence that candidates can safely practice in the profession. They also identify the professional knowledge and skill that differentiates any educated individual from the…

One significant component that has a demonstrable impact on students' achievement is the professional competence of teachers. The study employed a sequential-explanatory research design, a mixed research approach, and a pragmatic worldview. Semi-structured interviews, standardized scale tests, and document analysis were used to gather data. The…

In this report we provide preliminary evidence on the measurement characteristics for a new type of teaching performance assessment designed to be combined with complementary assessments of teacher content knowledge. The resulting test, which we refer to as the Foundational Assessment of Competencies for Teaching (FACT), is designed for use as…

Teacher evaluation and certification is a proper approach taken to assess teacher knowledge base and to guarantee that teacher candidates are qualified and have met particular teaching standards. To this end, teacher-education university (i.e., Farhangian University) of Iran recently adopted a teacher evaluation and certification policy,…

The purpose of this study was to examine whether licensed in-service teachers of English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) in K-12 schools are more knowledgeable in the area of applied linguistics than their nonlicensed counterparts, and whether the ESOL-licensed teachers who have taken courses toward their licensure are more knowledgeable in…

This study examined mathematics teacher content knowledge in terms of policy maker recommendations, college coursework and teacher certification mathematics test scores. Transcript analysis indicated poor alignment of national policy maker recommendations for mathematics teachers and college degrees in mathematics. Teacher certification test…

To determine the extent to which knowledge of evidence-based reading instruction and mathematics is assessed on licensure tests for prospective special education teachers, this study drew on information provided by Educational Testing Service (ETS), the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence, and National Evaluation Systems (now…

The comprehensive review of Nevada's Competency Testing Program for Educational Personnel grew out of a study which followed a cohort of new teachers over 2 years to determine their test-taking experiences. Results suggested a need to investigate the program and its scope, implementation problems, and relation to other educational entities such as…

This report, the second in a series published by the National Council on Teacher Quality, examines states' progress in meeting the new federal requirement that by the end of the 2005-2006 school year there will be a "highly qualified teacher" in every classroom in the nation. This new requirement has led to some discomfort in more than a…

This publication presents a response from the Ontario College of Teachers to the Canadian Minister of Education regarding the newly mandated teacher certification testing. It sets the stage for the provision of complete, accurate, and reliable advice, containing a summary of the extensive research conducted by the College and providing a wide…

The past eight years have seen an unprecedented level of education policy activity focused on issues of teacher quality. Policies have been developed at federal, state, and institutional levels, and include increased institutional reporting of teacher candidates' test scores, the mandate for Highly Qualified Teachers (HQT) in the No Child Left…

This report is introduced by a history of the development and implementation of the Nevada Competency Testing Program for Educational Personnel. The study examined the test taking histories of persons entering the Nevada educational system to determine how well the competency testing program was accomplishing its purpose of ensuring that new…

This publication examines research on the quality of teacher licensing examinations, explaining that state examinations do not necessarily guarantee that teachers have the breadth and depth of subject knowledge to teach all students to high standards. Researchers focused on English/language arts, mathematics, and science, analyzing actual exams…

This report discusses outcomes of a study designed to update information on jurisdictional requirements for the conventional licensure of special educators and to extend inquiry into areas of special education licensure. Interviews were conducted and responses were received from 51 directors of licensure in state departments of education and the…

The preservice licensure and preparation of career and technical education (CTE) teachers was examined to determine whether changes in CTE teacher licensure requirements are necessary. Two overarching missions of CTE were identified. The first was traditional/tech prep (leading to employment). The second was a more general combination of education…