February, 2010
RE: NEW ADMISSION TEST SCORES REQUIREMENTS
Dear Education Students,
We are so glad that you are exploring an interest in teaching, and that you may be applying to one of our Teacher
Education Programs in January of 2011 or 2012! Please remember to contact your education advisor relative to
spring registration, program requirements, and assessments. Visit the School of Education website to find out more
details about applying: http://www.uri.edu/hss/education/ (select “Applicant Information”).
I want to inform you early on of an important change in our admissions process. Recently, the Rhode Island
Department of Education instituted new test score requirements for students applying to Teacher Education
Programs in the state. The new required scores are shown in the attached document.
Because the scores required for spring 2011 applicants are several points higher than this year’s, we want you to be
in the best possible position to succeed. Some of you will have passing SAT and ACT scores already, so that you
will not need to take the Praxis 1 Pre-Professional Skills Tests (PPST).
General preparation
If you do need to take the PPST (Reading, Writing, and Math), please make every effort to take these tests this
spring, prior to the end of the semester. This way, if you do not attain a passing score on one or more of these tests,
you will have plenty of time to get help and focus your study on improving where needed. It is never a good idea to
walk into a testing situation without being familiar with the structure and contents of the test. Please make sure to
take time prior to taking this test to do the following:



Visit http://www.ets.org/praxis/ for important information about the PPST tests. Select ‘About the
Test,’ then ‘Praxis I PPST’ to learn about registration, fees, locations, testing options, preparation
and more.
Be sure to download Praxis I ‘Tests at a Glance’; these include sample test questions and testtaking strategies.
Study using a Praxis 1 study guide. These guides are available for reference at the URI
Curriculum Materials Library (room 115 of the Kingston University Library behind the Reference
Desk) or may be ordered new or used on the internet. They provide full-length practice tests and
test-taking strategies.
Computer-based or Paper-based exam options:
Computer-based PPST: When you take the test in this format, you call the testing center below and schedule an
appointment for a specific day and time. You are permitted to take the PPST six times in the calendar year in this
format (you may not take it more than once in a single month).
Students have found that this in an excellent option because you find out both your reading and math scores at the
center on your test day. It then takes 10-15 business days to receive your official scores—including your writing—
by going to your My Praxis account online.
Prometric Testing Center-–5805
2346 Post Rd; Suite 104
Warwick, Rhode Island 02886
(401) 738-9172
Paper-based PPST: The Paper-based PPST is offered on the following dates on campus (and at other test sites in
the state) this spring and early summer:
April 24, 2010: Register by March 25, 2010
July 24, 2010: Register by June 24, 2010
Test scores are available through your My Praxis account one month after the test date. Note: Please save your
scores to your desk-top and print them out! They will disappear after 45 days.
Additional Support
If you do not pass one or more of the PPST tests this spring, there is support available to you! Consider the
following steps:
1) When you review your test scores, you will be able to see how many points you earned in specific areas of
the test. For example, if you did not pass the math test, you can look at your scores in the 4 areas covered in
the math test:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
Number and operations
Algebra
Geometry and Measurement
Data Analysis and Probability
Take note of where you scored lowest in these 4 categories so that you can target your studies accordingly.
You may do the same evaluation of your Reading and Writing test scores as well.
2) Visit the Academic Enhancement Center (http://www.uri.edu/aec/) on the 4th floor of Roosevelt Hall. Bring
your Praxis test results with you. To make an appointment with a math tutor or with a tutor at the Writing
Center, please call the receptionist desk at 874-2367. For targeted help with reading skills related to the
reading test (reading comprehension and strategies), please contact AEC Director David Hayes at
davidhayes@mail.uri.edu or (401) 874-2953.
Continue to practice using the testing guides available at the Curriculum Materials Library or by using your own
study guide. Once you have an opportunity to get help this spring or early next fall and to continue practicing on
sample tests, plan to re-take the specific computer-based test(s) in September or October. (Remember, you can
take the computerized test one time per month as noted earlier.) Please do not wait to take the paper-based test
offered on campus November 14th!
In closing, please remember that test results are only one piece of a profile that is carefully considered when you
apply to a teacher education program—one that we do not want to hold you back from becoming an inspiring
educator! Your experience, curiosity, and passion for learning and teaching are essential and highly valued attributes
that you will bring to the application process.
With Best Wishes,
Annie G. Kammerer
Interim Director, Office of Teacher Education
(on behalf of the School of Education)
TESTING ACCOMODATIONS
Applicants with disabilities who wish to request testing accommodations need to read the information
provided by ETS (http://www.ets.org/disability/index.html ); call 1-866-387-8602 with any questions. Be
sure to seek assistance from the URI Office of Student Disabilities Services early in the application process.
Praxis tests are only given in English. If you are a test taker whose primary language is not English (PLNE),
you may be eligible for extended testing time. Test takers with PLNE accommodations may take Praxis I
PPST tests on selected dates at pre-established test centers. For further information, contact Dr. JoAnn
Hammadou: joannh@uri.edu.