05-071 STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION

Summary: This chapter establishes qualifying examination requirements for teachers, educational specialists, and administrators seeking initial certification in Maine. There are two types of initial certificates: conditional and professional.

Applicants for professional teacher certification must attain minimum qualifying scores on the Core Academic Skills for Educators, also known as PRAXIS I, in the basic skill areas of reading, writing, and mathematics, on the appropriate content area PRAXIS II exam, and on the appropriate Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) exam.

Applicants seeking initial administrator certification have the option of completing the School Leaders Licensure Assessment or the School Superintendent Assessment in lieu of coursework to meet some competency requirements in accordance with Chapter 115 Part II.

13.1 PURPOSE

1. The purpose of this Chapter is to establish the standard qualifying examinations and scores for applicants for initial teacher certificates, for initial educational specialist certificates, and for initial administrator certificates.
   1. 13.2 DEFINITIONS

      As used in this Chapter, unless the context indicates otherwise, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

      1. A. Administrator: “Administrator” means an individual certified to provide services in any of the following capacities: superintendent or assistant superintendent of schools, a principal or assistant principal, a teaching principal, a director or assistant director of special education, a director or assistant director of career and technical education, a curriculum coordinator, an instructional supervisor, and a director or assistant director of adult and community education.
      2. B. Assessment: “Assessment” means the appropriate tests as determined by the State Board of Education.
      3. C. Commissioner: “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of the Department of Education or a designee.

1. D. Conditional Certificate: “Conditional Certificate” means the three-year certificate issued to teachers, educational specialists, and administrators who have not met all requirements for a professional certificate or new endorsement issued pursuant to Chapter 115 Part I, Certification Authorization and Approval of Educational Personnel.

1. E. Department: “Department” means the Department of Education.
   1. F. Educational Specialist: “Educational Specialist” means an individual certified to provide professional services in any of the following capacities: athletic director, school counselor, library-media specialist, literacy specialist, school psychologist, school nurse, special education consultant, speech-language clinician, or career and technical education evaluator.
      1. G. Endorsement: "Endorsement" means a notation on a certificate issued to a teacher that specifies the grades and subject area or work area for which the certificate is valid. A certificate may bear one or more endorsements.
      2. H. Initial Certification: “Initial Certification” means the initial credential issued for certification to an individual who has never held the certificate or the endorsement previously in Maine. An initial certificate could be a conditional or professional certificate.
      3. I. Professional Certificate: “Professional certificate” means the regular five-year certificate issued by the Department on or after July 1, 1988.
   2. 13.3 QUALIFYING EXAMINATIONS FOR INITIAL TEACHER CERTIFICATION REQUIRING A BACHELOR’S DEGREE
      1. 3.1 Examination Components

For applicants for an initial professional teacher certificate requiring a bachelor’s degree, the examinations validated for use in this program are the Core Academic Skills for Educators, PRAXIS II, and Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) unless waived. The Core Academic Skills for Educators program has three major components which test the applicant in three basic skill areas: reading, writing, and mathematics.

1. 3.2 Examination Sequence
   1. The Educational Testing Service schedules the Core Academic Skills for Educators, PRAXIS II and Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) at sites across Maine and the nation. The applicant registers for the examinations directly with the Educational Testing Service.
      1. A. An applicant may take the major components of the Core Academic Skills for Educators at separate times.
         1. B. An applicant who fails to meet the qualifying scores requirement for any component of the Core Academic Skills for Educators, or PRAXIS II or the Principles of Learning and Teaching may retake the exam at scheduled examination sessions as often as allowed by the vendor’s retake policies to meet the requirements.
      2. 3.3 Qualifying Scores

Applicants for initial professional teacher certification requiring a bachelor’s degree must achieve the qualifying scores on the qualifying examinations as set forth below, if the examination is required in Chapter 115 Part II.

1. A. The qualifying scores on the Core Academic Skills for Educators * for individuals requiring a bachelor’s degree are as follows:

Reading Test #5712 156

1. Writing Test #5722 162
   1. Mathematics Test #5732 150
      1. Applicants for initial professional teacher certification must achieve a composite score of 468 on the three sections of the Core Academic Skills for Educators, with no single score on any section being more than three points lower than the required score above.
         1. *Applicants for certificates requiring bachelor’s degrees may use passing scores on either the Pre-Professional Skills Test/PPST or the Core Academic Skills for Educators until 8-31-18. As of 9-1-18, all applicants must meet passing scores on the Core Academic Skills for Educators exams.

1. The qualifying scores on PRAXIS II content area exams are as follows:

1. ***** Applicants for #081 Early Childhood (0-5) and #029 Early Elementary (K-3) may meet a passing score on either PRAXIS II Test Code 0021 or PRAXIS II Test Code 5024 until 8-31-19. As of 9-1-19, all applicants must meet a passing score on test 5024.

   ***** Applicants for #286 Teacher of Students with Severe Disabilities (K-12) may meet a passing score on either PRAXIS II Test Code 0321 or PRAXIS II Test Code 5545 until 8-31-19. As of 9-1-19, all applicants must meet a passing score on test 5545.

   ***** Applicants for #670 Family and Consumer Science (K-12) may meet a passing score on either PRAXIS II Test Code 0121 or PRAXIS II Test Code 5122 until 8-31-19. As of 9-1-19, all applicants must meet a passing score on test 5122.

   1. C. The qualifying scores on Principles of Learning and Teaching are as follows:

1. 3.4 PRAXIS II Content Area Examinations Are Not Available
   1. Applicants for initial teacher or educational specialist certification will not be required to take a PRAXIS II examination if the appropriate examination is not available.
      1. 3.5 Conditional Certificates

         Applicants who have not achieved Maine’s qualifying scores on the required Core Academic Skills for Educators are eligible for an initial conditional certificate provided they have met all other requirements for the certificate or endorsement in accordance with Chapter 115 Part I and Chapter 115 Part II.

         A certificate issued under this subsection may not be suspended or revoked by the Commissioner due to the holder’s failure to attain qualifying scores during the term of the initial conditional certificate.

      2. 3.6 Individuals with Disabilities

         Individuals with disabilities that prevent them from taking the examination(s) under standard conditions may request special accommodations directly through the Educational Testing Service. The documentation requirements and accommodation request procedures are described in the registration bulletin for the specific examinations.

      3. 3.7 Pre-lingually Deaf Applicants

         Applicants receiving an initial teacher of deaf or hearing impaired student endorsement under Chapter 115 Part II Section 2.2 will not be required to take the Core Academic Skills for Educators, PRAXIS II content area assessment or the Principles of Learning and Teaching examination, if they meet the following criteria:

         1. 1. Applicant provides documentation that he/she is pre-lingually deaf;
         2. 2. Applicant provides documentation that he/she has graduated from a state or national approved program for teacher of deaf children; and
         3. 3. Applicant provides documentation that he/she is proficient in American Sign Language.
      4. 3.8 Out-of-State Certified Teachers and Educational Specialists

         Applicants holding a current teaching certificate from another state who are seeking a teaching certificate in the same endorsement area will not be required to take the Core Academic Skills for Educators or Principles of Learning and Teaching examinations.

         Applicants holding a current educational specialist certificate from another state who are seeking a certificate in the same area will not be required to take the Principles of Learning and Teaching examination.

13.4 QUALIFYING EXAMINATIONS FOR TEACHING CERTIFICATES NOT REQUIRING A BACHELOR’S DEGREE

1. 4.1 Examination Components

For applicants for an initial teacher professional certificate not requiring a bachelor’s degree, the examinations validated for use in this program are the Core Academic Skills for Educators, PRAXIS II, and Principles of Learning and Teaching. The Core Academic Skills for Educators program has three major components which test the applicant in three basic skill areas: reading, writing, and mathematics.

1. 4.2 Examination Sequence
   1. The Educational Testing Service schedules the Core Academic Skills for Educators, PRAXIS II and Principles of Learning and Teaching at sites across Maine and the nation. The applicant registers for the examinations directly with the Educational Testing Service.

1. An applicant may take the major components of the Core Academic Skills for Educators at separate times.

1. B. An applicant who fails to meet the qualifying scores requirement for any component of the Core Academic Skills for Educators or PRAXIS II or the Principles of Learning and Teaching may retake the exam at scheduled examination sessions as often as allowed by the vendor’s retake policies to meet the requirements.
   1. 4.3 Qualifying Scores
      1. Applicants for initial teacher professional certification not requiring a bachelor’s degree must achieve the qualifying score the qualifying examinations as set forth below.

1. The qualifying scores on the Core Academic Skills for Educators * for individuals not requiring a bachelor’s degree are as follows:

1. Subject Scale Scores
   1. Reading Test #5712 153
      1. Writing Test #5722 156
         1. Mathematics Test #5732 147

            Applicants for initial professional teacher certification must achieve a composite score of 456 on the three sections of the Core Academic Skills for Educators, with no single score on any section being more than three points lower than the required score above.

            *Applicants for certificates not requiring bachelor’s degrees may use passing scores on either the Pre-Professional Skills Test/PPST or the Core Academic Skills for Educators until 8-31-18. As of 9-1-18, all applicants must meet passing scores on the Core Academic Skills for Educators exams.

The qualifying score on PRAXIS II content area exam for all Career and Technical Education endorsements is as follows (unless exempt according to provisions in Chapter 115, Part II):

1. C. Applicants for initial teacher certification with a Career and Technical Education (9-12) endorsement must take the Principles of Learning and Teaching (7 – 12) * examination.
   1. 4.4 Conditional Certification

Applicants who have not achieved Maine’s qualifying scores on the required qualifying examinations are eligible for an initial conditional certificate, provided they have met all other requirements for a conditional certificate in accordance with Chapter 115 Part I and Chapter 115 Part II.

A conditional certificate issued under this subsection may not be suspended or revoked by the Commissioner due to the holder’s failure to attain qualifying scores during the term of the conditional certificate.

1. 4.5 Applicants holding a valid career and technical education endorsement who are seeking an additional career and technical education endorsement will not be required to take the Core Academic Skills for Educators or Principles of Learning and Teaching examinations.
   1. 4.6 Applicants holding a valid K-3, K-8, 5-8, 7-12, or K-12 endorsement who are seeking a career and technical education endorsement will not be required to take the Core Academic Skills for Educators or Principles of Learning and Teaching examinations.
      1. 4.7 Individuals with Disabilities

         Individuals with disabilities that prevent them from taking the examination(s) under standard conditions may request special accommodations directly through the Educational Testing Service. The documentation requirements and accommodation request procedures are described in the registration bulletin for the specific examinations.

   2. 4.8 Native Language Endorsement
      1. Applicants receiving an initial Native Language endorsement under Chapter 115 Part II Section 5.1 Pathway 2 will not be required to take the Core Academic Skills for Educators or the Principles of Learning and Teaching examination.

         Applicants for an initial Native Language endorsement will not be required to take a PRAXIS II examination until the appropriate examination is available. Applicants receiving a provisional or professional certificate with a Native Language endorsement prior to a minimum score being set will not need to meet the passing score at a later date.

   3. 13.5 QUALIFYING EXAMINATIONS FOR ADMINISTRATORS

5.1 Applicants for an initial superintendent or an initial assistant superintendent certificate, may complete the School Superintendent Assessment to meet the knowledge areas in accordance with Chapter 115 Part II.

The School Superintendent Assessment is an alternative pathway to meeting specified knowledge areas and is not a requirement for each applicant.

1. 5.2 Examination Sequence
   1. The Educational Testing Service schedules the School Superintendent Assessment at sites across Maine and the nation. The applicant registers for the examination directly with the Educational Testing Service.
      1. An applicant may retake the examination at scheduled examination sessions as often as allowed by the vendor’s retake policies to meet the requirements.

1. 1. Qualifying Scores

The qualifying score on the School Superintendent Assessment (test code #6021) for individuals seeking a superintendent or assistant superintendent certificate is 160*.

5.4 Applicants for an initial administrator certificate other than superintendent or assistant superintendent may complete the School Leaders Licensure Assessment to meet the knowledge areas in accordance with Chapter 115 Part II.

The School Leaders Licensure Assessment is an alternative pathway to meeting specified knowledge areas and is not a requirement for each applicant.

1. 5.5 Examination Sequence

The Educational Testing Service schedules the School Leaders Licensure Assessment at sites across Maine and the nation. The applicant registers for the examination directly with the Educational Testing Service.

1. An applicant may retake the examination at scheduled examination sessions as often as allowed by the vendor’s retake policies to meet the requirements.
   1. 5.6 Qualifying Scores

The qualifying score on the School Leaders Licensure Assessment (code 6012) for individuals seeking an administrator certificate other than a superintendent or assistant superintendent certificate is 163.

1. 5.7 Individuals with Disabilities
   1. Individuals with disabilities that prevent them from taking the examination under standard conditions may request special accommodations directly through the Educational Testing Service. The documentation requirements and accommodation request procedures are described in the registration bulletin for the specific examination.
   2. 13.6 CERTIFICATION RECORDS
      1. 6.1 Records

         The score on the teacher qualifying examination shall become part of the teacher’s certification records. Only the final qualifying score will be retained in the applicant’s record.

      2. 6.2 Confidentiality

Confidentiality of certification records shall be governed by the provisions of Title 20-A, Section 13004.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY 20-A M.R.S.A. §§ 13031-13038 and 13035-A

1. EFFECTIVE DATE:
   1. August 5, 1985 – filing 85-270
      1. AMENDED:
         1. (March 30, 1988 Amendments): July 1, 1988

            (November 15, 1989 Amendments): February 6, 1990

(December 14, 1994 Amendments): February 21, 1995

April 27, 1996

EFFECTIVE DATE (ELECTRONIC CONVERSION):

May 19, 1996

AMENDED:

(November 15, 2000 Amendments): December 6, 2000

NON-SUBSTANTIVE CORRECTIONS:

January 1, 2001 - spelling and formatting only

EFFECTIVE DATE:

September 1, 2004 - filing 2004-270

1. NON-SUBSTANTIVE CORRECTIONS:
   1. September 1, 2004 - elimination of stray underlines and strikeouts

AMENDED:

August 1, 2005 – filing 2005-300

April 23, 2006 – added Section 13.3(10), filing 2006-145

June 23, 2007 – filing 2007-245

November 23, 2009 – filing 2008-541

June 15, 2010 – filing 2010-230

October 23, 2011 – filing 2011-369

August 27, 2012 – filing 2012-236

July 31, 2013 – filing 2013-183

June 23, 2015 – filing 2015-115

August 20, 2018 – filing 2018-148

CORRECTION:

1. April 5, 2022 – page 4 in two rows 300 for PRAXIS II Test Code, Secondary Mathematics and Middle Mathematics, changed to 5165 and 5164