Basic skills testing requirements modified for initial certification applicants

The Alabama Prospective Teacher Testing Program (APTTP), which evolved from the Allen teacher testing lawsuit, consists of two testing components required for initial certification. The first component includes three basic skills assessments (Applied Mathematics, Reading for Information, and Writing), and the second component is a content knowledge assessment selected from an array of Praxis II tests approved for use in the state of Alabama.
The Allen lawsuit required the state of Alabama to implement a procedure for persons who met all other requirements for certification but had not earned a passing score on each of the three basic skills assessments. Alabama developed a procedure so that a person who attempted a basic skills assessment but did not earn the minimum passing score could satisfy that test requirement through the successful combination of his or her test performance and grade point average (GPA) on certain courses in the undergraduate core curriculum. If the calculation resulted in a passing score, then the test requirement was considered to have been met.
Alabama's requirement to implement the aforementioned procedure ended on January 27, 2010, when Judge Myron Thompson entered the dismissal order that ended the Allen teacher testing lawsuit. The procedure will be continued for certificate applications received through September 30, 2010.
After that date, all candidates for certification will be required to satisfy both components of the APTTP.
Any persons whose applications for certification are received on or after October 1, 2010, must achieve a passing score on the Applied Mathematics, Reading for Information, and Writing basic skills assessments and a passing score on the appropriate Praxis II test in order to earn an initial Alabama certificate.
No changes have been made in the requirement to pass the appropriate Praxis II test. All certification applicants must earn a passing score on the Praxis II. Changes in the testing requirements only apply to the three basic skills assessments.
This testing requirement applies to the following: persons completing an approved program at an Alabama college or university to earn an initial certificate; persons applying for an Alabama certificate based on completion of a program or certificate completed in another state; and persons who apply to reinstate an Alabama certificate that has lapsed for more than six months from the date of expiration.
If you have questions about the testing modifications, contact Dr. Tyna Davis or Dr. Pamela Fossett at AEA at 1.800.392.5839.