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EDUCATOR EXAM OBSTACLES:
New and Prospective Teachers Share Their Concerns
LOW PASS RATES ON ILLINOIS EDUCATOR CONTENT EXAMS DISCOURAGING WOULD-BE TEACHERS
By Chris Coffey, Monica Medina, Heidi Bellm, and Evy Makris
The rule is clear for prospective educators in Illinois: an educator license is required to teach. A candidate must achieve a passing score on one of the state’s educator content exams to earn licensure. But certain content exams have shockingly low passing rates. Examinees’ results only slightly improve after multiple attempts. So what does that say about a state that is struggling to hire and maintain teachers?
West40 analyzed the most recent public data for Illinois educator content exams, including Mathematics, Early Childhood Education, and Elementary Education (Grades 1-6).
MATHEMATICS*
54% PASSED ON FIRST ATTEMPT
64% PASSED ON CUMULATIVE ATTEMPTS
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION*
47% PASSED ON FIRST ATTEMPT
62% PASSED ON CUMULATIVE ATTEMPTS
ELEMENTARY EDUCATION (GRADES 1-6)*
66% PASSED ON FIRST ATTEMPT
73% PASSED ON CUMULATIVE ATTEMPTS
*ISBE
The data shows disparities among reporting groups. Non-white examinees passed the Mathematics, Early Childhood Education, and Elementary Education (Grades 1-6) content exams at lower rates compared to white examinees.
New and prospective teachers, education officials, and lawmakers have told West40 content exam changes are urgently needed to prevent prospective teachers from giving up or leaving the state. To hear their stories and learn how the state is responding, please click on the links embedded in the map below.
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Works with colleges/universities to make sure educator preparation programs (EPPs) are aligned with the standards upon which content exam test items are developed and these standards are the same as what EPPs are required to use to develop their programs.
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Supports programs to practice continuous improvement to ensure alignment and improve outcomes.
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Approved moving forward with a review and validation of the Early Childhood Education exam, because of stakeholder concerns. Review could result in a new passing score.
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Asked for a "flex" option of the Early Childhood Education exam that offers an alternative assessment for candidates who are close to passing.
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Approved its vendor to offer one free practice exam per candidate.
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Exam vendor's contract is up for renewal
WHAT ILLINOIS STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION (ISBE) SAYS:
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