Praxis preparation program worth approximately $1,000 aims to further prepare and ease the financial burden on teacher candidates; interested individuals are asked to complete survey to determine cohorts
From The Rhode Island Department of Education:
Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green, and the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) today announced the state will launch a free, comprehensive preparation program to help teacher candidates pass Praxis tests, which is a step towards teacher certification in Rhode Island. The free program, developed in partnership with University Instructors supports participants with Praxis preparation offerings worth an estimated $1,000 and aims to ease the financial burden on educators and address the teacher shortage impacting Rhode Island and the nation. Interested candidates are asked to complete a survey to determine cohorts. Upon successful completion of the program, participants will receive a Praxis test voucher, worth up to $200.
“By offering comprehensive support like this, Rhode Island will empower aspiring teachers, ease the financial burden they face, and ultimately strengthen the teaching workforce in Rhode Island and beyond,” said Governor Dan McKee. “My administration is committed to working with RIDE and statewide partners to recruit and retain world-class talent and benefit students for generations to come.”
The RIDE program, which will open to approximately 200 teacher candidates this summer and fall, will offer participants practice tests, webinars, office hours, individualized support, and self-paced online courses. The courses feature targeted lessons, interactive exercises, full-length practice tests, detailed explanations, and rich diagnostic data. University Instructors estimate the program can be completed between approximately 6 to 10 weeks.
“For Rhode Island to remain competitive in the job market, we must support our teachers and teacher candidates every step of the way, and that includes during their journey towards certification,” said Chair of the Council on Elementary and Secondary Education Patti DiCenso. “On behalf of the Council, we share our gratitude with RIDE for developing this important program and encourage teacher candidates to complete the survey and learn more about how they can benefit.”
Certification tests can create barriers for many educators, especially educators of color. Support programs, like the RIDE Praxis Preparation Program, provide educators with added support for the content tests needed to obtain certification as an educator.
“Prepared, skilled, and supported teachers are the backbone of our education system. By leveraging federal funds, RIDE will ensure aspiring teachers receive the support and resources they need to excel in their teaching careers,” said Commissioner Angélica Infante-Green. “By tearing down barriers and investing in the success of our aspiring educators, we are investing in the future of our schools, communities, and state, and creating a more equitable education system. We look forward to welcoming dedicated, qualified teachers into Rhode Island’s schools with the help of this preparation program.”
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The development of this program is aligned with Rhode Island’s Strategic Plan for Public Education: 2022-2027, which aims to create flexible pathways into the teaching profession and develop programs to expand and diversify the teacher pipeline, among other goals. Further, the mission of the program underpins the recommendations for academic, social, and emotional learning acceleration in the Learning, Equity, & Accelerated Pathways Task Force Report by supporting educators to excel.
The completion of the survey, available here on www.ridepraxisprep.com, will help RIDE compile cohorts for the program. Based on the interest of participants, supported programs may include preparation for tests including elementary reading and English language arts, mathematics, social studies, and science; secondary ELA, mathematics, social studies, and science; special education; and English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESL). The program, a $162,500 investment, is funded through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER II).
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