Benchmark assessments

The WI Department of Public Instruction (DPI) is specific in its requirements about the content of both general education and professional education. DPI requires teacher education candidates to complete a variety of benchmark assessments (tests) detailed below. Teacher candidates must have evidence of completion of all benchmark assessments except for the edTPA in order to be approved for student teaching. 

The WI State Superintendent of Public Instruction determines passing scores. Therefore, prospective teacher education candidates should work closely with an advisor from the outset of their studies at the university. Completion of DPI requirements for licensure may take longer than four academic years. 

Benchmark Requirement Due Dates:

  • Student Teaching Fall 2023 Benchmarks - due date February 17, 2023
  • Spring 2024 - due date the Monday of the 3rd week of the term (9/25/23)
  • Fall 2024 - due date the Monday of the 3rd week of the term (2/5/24)
  • Spring 2025 - due date the Monday of the 3rd week of the term (9/16/24)
  • Fall 2025 - due date the Monday of the 3rd  week of the term (2/10/25)

*Submission of requirements due by 4:00pm CST on the due date.

Passing test scores, from the testing agency, must be on file in the School of Education Teacher Certification Officer’s office by the dates listed above.

Required Testing by Program

FoRT

FoRT or Alternative Assessment

Praxis or GPA

ACTFL O/W

ECE

X

X

EC-MC

X

X

EME

X

X

MC-EA

X

X

EME/SPECIAL ED

 

X

X

EME/SPANISH

*

X

X

EME/FRENCH

*

X

X

EME/TSL

*

X

*Fort exemption is contingent on applying for both licenses.

Required Testing by Program

Praxis or GPA

Praxis required

ACTFL O/W

BFSS no concentration

X

BFSS (HIS, POL, SOC)

X

English Ed

X

Math Ed

X

Science Ed (BIO, CHE, PHY)

X

Art Ed

X

Music Ed

X

PASHE

X

PETE

X

French Ed

X

French Ed/TSL

X(for TSL)

X

Spanish Ed

X

Spanish Ed/TSL

X(for TSL)

X

 

Who should I contact about advising and certification?

Academic Services Director/Teacher Certification Officer: Jen Pinnow      educatorlicensing@uwlax.edu 608.785.8127Under the supervision of the Dean of SOE, this position is responsible for representing the Dean with regards to student academic issues and serving as a resource on academic policies, procedures, and degree requirements for teacher education students, faculty and staff. This position is responsible for verifying degree completion for undergraduate teacher education students/graduates and students in master’s and certificate programs after each term. This position is also responsible for verifying program completion for graduates applying for licensure in any state requiring institutional verification of program completion, and is the institutional resource on teacher licensing rules for the State of Wisconsin. The certification officer works closely with the Dean to ensure compliance with Wisconsin teacher licensing rules. Additional work includes collection, maintenance, and reporting of program completers and testing for licensure data to state and federal agencies.

Assessment expanding boxes

Candidates pursuing any of the following WI teaching licenses must take and pass the Foundations of Reading Test in order to complete their program and be endorsed for the appropriate educator license:

  • Early Childhood-Middle Childhood (EC-MC, birth-grade 5)
  • Early Childhood Education (ECE, birth-grade 3)
  • Middle Childhood-Early Adolescence (MC-EA, grades 1-8)
  • Elementary/Middle Education (EME, grades K-9)
  • Elementary/Middle Education and Special Education (EME, Dual) 
  • Reading Teacher (some exceptions apply)
  • Reading Specialist (some exceptions apply)

Below are options for passing the FoRT:

FoRT Version:

Test Availability:

Passing Score

Old version (FoRT 090)

Through Dec. 31, 2022

240

New version (FoRT 190)

Beginning September 1, 2022

233

Learn when to take the FoRT and how to prepare.

View more about Content Knowledge and Praxis II

 

American Council Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL)

  • An official ACTFL score report demonstrating oral and written proficiency with a rating of "Intermediate High" in French, German, and/or Spanish (required only for French education, German education or Spanish education candidates)
  • ACTFL Registration Instructions

edTPA is an teacher candidate assessment method used to determine if a new teacher is "ready for the job." It is a process completed during pre-service experience by the teacher candidate with the guidance of their university supervisor. A review of the teacher candidates' authentic teaching material is done at the completion of the teaching and learning process. This edTPA assessment documents and demonstrates each candidate's ability to effectively teach his/her subject matter to all students.

View more about edTPA

 

To schedule a date and time to take any of these testing requirements please visit: https://www.uwlax.edu/counseling-testing/testing/uwl-testing-center/