Date of Award

Spring 3-15-2014

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

EdD Education Leadership, Management and Policy

Department

Education Leadership, Management and Policy

Advisor

Elaine Walker, Ph.D

Committee Member

Daniel Gutmore, Ph.D

Committee Member

Terran Brown, Ph.D

Committee Member

Cory Murphy, Ph.D

Keywords

teacher preparation, admissions, highly qualified teacher, teacher licensure, teacher assessments, Praxis

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between teacher candidate performance on the Praxis I: Pre-Professional Skills test and select Praxis II: Subject-Area Assessments. Praxis I is a set of three basic skills tests in reading, writing, and mathematics most often used as an admissions tests for teacher education programs. Praxis II is a battery of tests used to assess adequate content knowledge for program exit and for obtaining a license for beginning practice. This research focuses on teacher supply and quality in New Jersey, as demonstrated by teacher candidate performance on Praxis I and Praxis II and explores two hypotheses—whether these tests are a useful screening tool for determining which students do not have the necessary basic skills for pursuing teacher education studies, or if they are a barrier against recruitment of potentially good teacher candidates, especially candidates of color.

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