PURPOSE: The State Board of Education is authorized to grant certificates of license to be a professional educator in any of the public schools of the state and to establish requirements and qualifications for those certificates. This regulation establishes 1) a requirement that all students shall demonstrate basic educational competencies prior to formal admission into the approved programs in Missouri and 2) procedures for implementation.

1. (1) All educator preparation programs shall verify that each applicant for formal admission to an approved educator preparation program has demonstrated basic educational competencies by achieving a passing score, as approved by the State Board of Education (board), for each subtest of the approved general knowledge and skills assessment prior to her/his admission (see Appendix A).

2. (2) All educator preparation programs recommending an applicant for an initial Missouri teaching certificate shall furnish the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (department) with the following information and documentation:

   1. (A) A completed application form which shall be provided by the department;
   2. (B) An official transcript(s);
   3. (C) A computation of the applicant’s grade point average verified and signed by an appropriate program official;
   4. (D) Verification that the applicant has achieved a passing score as determined by the board for each subtest of the general knowledge and skills assessment for entry into teacher education (see Appendix A); and

   5. (E) A statement of competency determination of an applicant with handicapping conditions as evaluated at the educator preparation program for basic educational competency through appropriate testing instruments and/or procedures by psychometrists designated or approved by the appropriate official of the educator preparation program.

      APPENDIX A

      Policies for the Board-Designated

General Knowledge and Skills Assessment

1. 1. Candidates must obtain a satisfactory rating in each of the subtests (English, Language Arts including writing, mathematics, science, and social studies) independently.
2. 2. Candidates who do not obtain a satisfactory rating for any particular subtest (English, Language Arts including writing, mathematics, science, and social studies) may opt to retake the entire examination or only the unsatisfactory subtest(s).
3. 3. Candidates will have two (2) years from the first attempt to obtain a satisfactory rating in all of the subtests of the general knowledge and skills assessment (English, Language Arts including writing, mathematics, science, and social studies), after which time they must begin anew the requirement for obtaining a satisfactory rating in all subtests.
4. 4. Once satisfactory ratings have been obtained in all of the subtests of the general knowledge and skills assessment, these scores will remain valid permanently.
5. 5. Candidates may retake the examination as many times as they choose and as frequently as it is offered, but not more than once during any single statewide test administration period.
6. 6. In the case of retakes, the highest rating obtained will be considered for the teacher entry criterion.
7. 7. Candidates may use hand-held calculators during administration of the general knowledge and skills assessment.
8. 8. Each educator preparation program shall make appropriate allowances for administering the general knowledge and skills assessment and the assessment of oral communication skills to candidates with physically handicapping conditions.
9. 9. The general knowledge and skills assessment will be offered several times per calendar year according to a schedule established by the department with the advice of a committee representative of educator preparation programs and other appropriate persons.
10. 10. Through a procedure for advance registration, candidates will be strongly encouraged to preregister for the general knowledge and skills assessment; however, candidates are permitted (at additional cost) to take the test without preregistering providing space and testing materials are available, and other logistical considerations can be accommodated at a particular test location.
11. 11. Candidates who have achieved a baccalaureate degree from a regionallyaccredited institution of higher education prior to seeking admission into an approved teacher education program shall be deemed to have achieved a satisfactory rating on all subtests and are not required to take the general knowledge and skills assessment.
12. 12. The assessment of oral communication skills will follow the criteria and procedures designed by the commissioner of education.
13. 13. The board shall determine an appropriate passing score for each subtest. These scores are subject to periodic review and revision by the board.

AUTHORITY: sections 161.092, 168.021, and 168.400, RSMo Supp. 2012, and section 168.011, RSMo 2000.* This rule was previously filed as 5 CSR 80-800.050 and 5 CSR 80-805.020. Original rule filed Aug. 15, 1983, effective Dec. 12, 1983. Emergency amendment filed Sept. 2, 1988, effective Sept. 13, 1988, expired Nov. 24, 1988. Amended: Filed Aug. 1, 1988, effective Nov. 25, 1988. Amended: Filed Oct. 1, 1991, effective March 9, 1992. Amended: Filed Dec. 19, 1995, effective July 30, 1996. Moved to 5 CSR 20-400.310, effective Aug. 5 CSR 20-400 16, 2011. Amended: Filed Aug. 28, 2012, effective March 30, 2013.

*Original authority: 161.092, RSMo 1963, amended 1973, 2002, 2003; 168.011, RSMo 1963, amended 1984; 168.021, RSMo 1963, amended 1973, 1984, 1988, 1990, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2008, 2009, 2011; and 168.400, RSMo 1985, amended 1990, 2002.