Title: 2008-09 Registration Bulletin for the Texas Examinations of Educator Standards(TM) (TEXES(TM)) Program and the Examination for the Certification of Educators in Texas (EXCET) Program Formats available: The TEXES(TM) and EXCET Registration Bulletin is currently available in Adobe PDF, large print, and text format. This text version contains the entire text of the PDF except for extraneous header and footer information, graphical elements, and navigational controls for electronic documents. This document consists of the sections listed below. --Contents --TEXES(TM) and EXCET at a Glance --About the TEXES and EXCET Programs --Contact Information --Registration Information --On The Day of the Test --Test Results and Score Reporting --2008-09 TEXES/EXCET Test Dates, Registration Deadlines, and Score Reporting Dates Page numbers in this document are indicated with the word "page" enclosed between the less-than and greater-than symbol: . To locate material on page 1 of the printed edition, use your search or find command to search for " 1" (do not enter the quotation marks into the search window). 1 Test Dates Paper-Based Testing November 8, 2008 January 31, 2009 April 4, 2009 June 27, 2009 August 29, 2009 Computer-Administered Testing Information about test dates and registration deadlines is on page 21. Policies in this Registration Bulletin are in effect from September 1, 2008 through August 31, 2009. 2008-09 Registration Bulletin for the Texas Examinations of Educator Standards(TM) (TEXES(TM)) Program and the Examination for the Certification of Educators in Texas (EXCET) Program For the most up-to-date information, visit the E T S TEXES website at www.texes.ets.org 2 Updated: August 11, 2008 Texas Education Agency Privacy Policy Because of laws protecting confidentiality and privacy, only you can register yourself for a test or make inquiries regarding your registration status. Texas Education Agency (T E A) and Educational Testing Service (E T S) are committed to protecting the integrity of personal information provided during the registration process, as well as any information generated internally that is specifically pertinent to you, and to keeping all such information secure from unauthorized access and use. Accordingly, it is the policy of T E A and E T S not to share your private information with anyone other than T E A and E T S (including relevant employees, agents, contractors, or professional advisors thereof) and any institution, entity, or person required or authorized by law to receive and/or access this information. Copyright (c) 2008 by Texas Education Agency (T E A). All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including without limitation, photocopy, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, on any medium whatsoever, without the sole written permission of Texas Education Agency. A single copy of this Registration Bulletin may be downloaded for individual use. The Texas Education Agency logo and T E A are registered trademarks of Texas Education Agency. Texas Examinations of Educator Standards, TEXES, the TEXES logo, Texas Examinations for Master Teachers, TEXMaT, Texas Oral Proficiency Test, TOPT, Texas Assessment of Sign Communication, TASC, Texas Assessment of Sign Communication-American Sign Language, and TASC-ASL are trademarks of the Texas Education Agency. E T S is the registered trademark of Educational Testing Service. Other products, services, and brand names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective owners. This publication has been produced for Texas Education Agency (T E A) by E T S. E T S is under contract to Texas Education Agency to administer the Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TEXES) program and the Examination for the Certification of Educators in Texas (EXCET) program. The TEXES and EXCET programs are administered under the authority of Texas Education Agency; regulations and standards governing the program are subject to change without notice at the discretion of Texas Education Agency. Texas Education Agency and E T S do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, or disability in the administration of the testing program or the provision of related services. The policies and procedures explained in this Registration Bulletin are effective only for the 2008-09 testing year and supersede previous policies and procedures. Program policies are subject to change without notice. See the E T S TEXES website at www.texes.ets.org for the most up-to-date information. 3 CONTENTS TEXES(TM) and EXCET at a Glance 4 Registration 4 Test Takers with Disabilities 4 Test Preparation Material 4 On the Test Day 4 About the TEXES and EXCET Programs 5 Overview 5 What's New in 2008-09? 5 TEXES Computer-Administered Tests 6 The TEXMaT(TM) Program 7 The TOPT(TM), TASC(TM), and TASC-ASL(TM) Programs 7 Approval to Test 7 Contact Information 9 Registration Information 11 TEXES and EXCET Tests Offered 11 Registration Steps 15 Creating Your SBEC Account 17 Creating Your E T S Testing Account 17 How to Register for Paper-Based Tests 18 How to Register for Computer-Administered Tests 18 Selecting a Test Session 18 Test Centers 19 Test Dates and Registration Deadlines for Paper-Based Tests 21 Test Dates and Registration Deadlines for Computer-Administered Tests 21 Admission Tickets 21 Monday Testing 22 Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) 22 Fees for Tests and Related Services 22 Change Requests 23 Canceling a Test 24 Test Retake Policy 24 Correcting or Updating Your SBEC Educator Profile 24 On the Day of the Test 25 What to Bring to the Test Center 25 Admission to the Test 26 Identification (ID) Requirements 26 Test Center Procedures and Regulations 28 Dismissal from a Test Center 29 Taking Computer-Administered Tests and Recording Answers 30 Cancellation of a Test Session 31 Submitting Comments 31 Test Results and Score Reporting 32 Test Scores and Passing Standards 32 Reporting Your Test Scores 32 Delay of Test Scores 32 Score Reporting Dates 33 Scoring Services 33 Cancellation of Test Scores by You 33 Cancellation of Test Scores by E T S and T E A 34 Confidentiality of Information 34 2008-09 TEXES/EXCET Test Dates, Registration Deadlines, and Score Reporting Dates 36 4 TEXES(TM) AND EXCET AT A GLANCE REGISTRATION See pages 11-24 for detailed information about test registration. --TEXES(TM) and EXCET Paper-Based Tests (PBT) Test takers can register for TEXES and EXCET paper-based tests (PBT) online or by phone. Registration by phone is available only during the emergency registration period. Registration by mail is available only for test takers who do not have access to an electronic form of payment (credit/debit card). (See pages 11-24 for more information on registration. Information about payment is on pages 22-23 under "Fees for Tests and Related Services.") --TEXES Computer-Administered Tests (CAT) Test takers can register for TEXES computer-administered tests (CAT) online or by phone. (See pages 11-24 for more information on registration.) TEST TAKERS WITH DISABILITIES --E T S is committed to serving test takers with disabilities by providing services and accommodations that are reasonable and appropriate given the purpose of the test. Nonstandard testing accommodations are available for test takers with disabilities who meet E T S requirements. If you are requesting nonstandard testing accommodations, you must register by mail through E T S Disability Services and have your accommodations approved prior to testing. --The 2008-09 Bulletin Supplement for Test Takers with Disabilities for TEXES(TM), EXCET, TOPT(TM), TEXMAT(TM), TASC(TM), and TASC-ASL(TM) contains contact information, registration procedures, and forms. The Supplement should be used in conjunction with the information in this Registration Bulletin. To request a copy of the Supplement, contact E T S Disability Services. See "Disability Services" on page 8. The Supplement, the Registration Bulletin, and registration materials can be downloaded free of charge from the "Alternative Testing Arrangements" section of the E T S TEXES website at www.texes.ets.org. --A screen-reader version of this Registration Bulletin is available on the E T S TEXES website. To request a large-print copy, contact E T S Disability Services. (See "Disability Services" on page 9.) TEST PREPARATION MATERIAL --Free test preparation manuals are available for download at www.texes.ets.org. Each test preparation manual includes detailed test descriptions, sample questions with answers, and test-taking strategies. Supplemental preparation materials are also listed in each manual. See the section on Preparation Resources. An order form for purchasing printed copies of these manuals is available on the E T S TEXES website at www.texes.ets.org. --Two other publications that may be helpful in preparing for the TEXES and EXCET tests are Reducing Test Anxiety and Study Tips: Preparing for the Texas Educator Certification Tests. Both of these are available as free downloads on the E T S TEXES website at www.texes.ets.org. ON THE TEST DAY --You must report to the test center 30 minutes before the start time listed on your admission ticket. If you arrive late, you will not be admitted and your test fee will be forfeited. (See "Admission to the Test" on page 26.) --Review the ID requirements on pages 26-28 and take the required documents with you. Without the required ID documents, you will not be permitted to test. For other important information regarding the test day, see --Test Center Procedures and Regulations (pages 28-29) --Cancellation of Test Scores by You (pages 33-34) --Cancellation of Test Scores by E T S and T E A (page 34) 5 ABOUT THE TEXES AND EXCET PROGRAMS Overview Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Section 230.5(b) requires every person seeking educator certification in Texas to perform satisfactorily on comprehensive examinations. The purpose of these examinations is to ensure that each educator has the prerequisite content and professional knowledge necessary for an entry-level position in Texas public schools. The Texas Examinations of Educator Standards(TM) (TEXES(TM)) program and the Examination for the Certification of Educators in Texas (EXCET) program were developed for this purpose. The TEXES Educator Standards, based on the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), form the foundation for the TEXES tests. Developing the tests was a collaborative process involving classroom teachers and other educators from public and charter schools, university and Educator Preparation Program (E P P) faculty, representatives from professional educator organizations, content experts, and members of the community. For detailed information about the test development process, visit the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) website at www.sbec.state.tx.us. EXCET tests and related certificates will be replaced as new TEXES tests are introduced. Both the TEXES and EXCET tests are criterion-referenced examinations designed to measure a candidate's knowledge in relation to an established criterion rather than to the performance of other candidates. All of the tests in the TEXES and EXCET programs contain multiple-choice questions. Some tests also have additional assessment modes (e.g., open-ended written responses). For more information about individual tests and test composition, see the preparation manual for each test on the E T S TEXES website at www.texes.ets.org. What's New in 2008-09? New TEXES Tests When a new test is introduced, there is a grace period of one year during which both the new test and the test it will replace are offered. After the initial year, the new test will be required for certification in that field. First offered in Early 2009 Bilingual Target Language Proficiency Test (B T L P T) - Spanish (190) No longer offered after August 2010 TOPT Spanish (081) First offered in June 2009 Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities EC-6 (194) Generalist EC-6 (191) Bilingual Education Supplemental No longer offered after August 2010 Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities EC-4 (100) Generalist EC-4 (101) Bilingual Target Language Proficiency Test (B T L P T) - Spanish The Bilingual Target Language Proficiency Test (B T L P T) - Spanish will be offered for the first time in early 2009. It will be offered only via computer during one week administration windows at various times throughout the year. B T L P T - Spanish will replace the Texas Oral Proficiency Test (TOPT) - Spanish (081) after August 2010. During the time that both tests are offered, candidates testing under the Certification by Examination option can choose which test they want to take. Educator Preparation Programs will determine which test should be taken by their candidates via the test approval process. Beginning in September 2010, educators seeking the Bilingual Education certification in Spanish will be required to take the B T L P T - Spanish. The test is designed to measure four domains: --Listening --Speaking in Spanish --Reading --Writing The Writing section of B T L P T - Spanish requires the test taker to enter written responses on the computer. An alternate character toolbar for inputting Spanish accents and characters (e.g., ñ, ó, ¿) is built into the test. In early August 2008, a tutorial for using this toolbar will be available in the TEXES/EXCET section of the E T S TEXES website at www.texes.ets.org. This tutorial will allow test takers to practice using the toolbar prior to taking the test. Test takers are strongly urged to take the tutorial. The test preparation manual for B T L P T - Spanish will be available for download in late 2008. 6 ABOUT THE TEXES AND EXCET PROGRAMS (continued) Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities EC-6, Generalist EC-6, and Bilingual Education Supplemental The Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities EC-6 (194) and Generalist EC-6 (191) tests will be offered beginning in June 2009 with registration beginning in March 2009. These tests are designed for educators seeking EC-6 certification and will replace the Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities EC-4 (100) test and the Generalist EC-4 (101) test, both of which will no longer be offered after August 2010. A new Bilingual Education Supplemental test will be offered beginning in June 2009. Registration for this test will begin in March 2009. This new test will most likely replace the Bilingual Education Supplemental EC-4 (102) and the Bilingual Education Supplemental 4-8 (112) tests. If this occurs, those tests will no longer be offered after August 2010. A code has not yet been determined for this test. Watch the E T S TEXES website for further information. Online Admission Tickets and Score Reports Beginning with the 2008-09 testing year, paper admission tickets and score reports will no longer be mailed. Test takers will print admission tickets from their accounts on the E T S TEXES website at www.texes.ets.org. (See "Admission Tickets" on pages 21-22.) Score reports will only be available online. Score reports for paper-based tests will be posted by 5:00 p.m. Central time on the score reporting date. Score reports for computer-administered tests (except for B T L P T - Spanish) will be posted weekly. (See "Score Reporting Dates" on page 33.) The unofficial end-of-test score report issued at computer-administered test centers is no longer offered. This report indicated the number of questions answered correctly and served as proof that an examinee had taken a TEXES computer-administered test. It did not indicate the examinee's scaled score or passing status and was not intended to be an official report of final scores. Score Report Reprints Discontinued Beginning with the 2008-09 testing year, the score report reprint service that has been offered in the past will no longer be available. You will be able to print your score report from your testing account on the E T S TEXES website at www.texes.ets.org for a 90-day period from the time scores are posted. You are strongly urged to print a copy for your records. After the 90-day period, you will be able to view your final score from your account on the SBEC website at www.sbec.state.tx.us, but you will not be able to print a score report from that site nor will you be able to order a score report from T E A. TEXES Computer-Administered Tests (TEXES CAT) In an effort to provide greater access to testing, some TEXES tests are also available via computer at specially equipped test centers. (See "Test Centers" on pages 19-20.) The TEXES CAT tests are administered separately from the other TEXES tests. In 2008-09, the following tests will be offered as computer-administered tests. --Bilingual Education Supplemental (102) --Bilingual Target Language Proficiency Test (B T L P T) - Spanish (190) (available early 2009) --English as a Second Language Supplemental (154) --English Language Arts and Reading 4-8 (117) --Generalist EC-4 (101) --Generalist 4-8 (111) --Health EC-12 (157) --History 8-12 (133) --Life Science 8-12 (138) --Mathematics 4-8 (115) --Mathematics 8-12 (135) --Music EC-12 (177) --Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities EC-4 (100) --Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities EC-12 (160) --Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities 4-8 (110) --Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities 8-12 (130) --Physical Education EC-12 (158) --Science 4-8 (116) --Science 8-12 (136) --Social Studies 4-8 (118) --Special Education EC-12 (161) The TEXES CAT tests, with the exception of B T L P T - Spanish, consist entirely of multiple-choice questions. The questions, including recorded and printed excerpts for the Music EC-12 test (177), are presented via the computer. (See "Taking the Computer-Administered Tests and Recording Answers" on pages 30-31 for information about taking a computer-administered test.) 7 ABOUT THE TEXES AND EXCET PROGRAMS (continued) The TEXMAT(TM) Program The Texas Examinations for Master Teachers(TM) (TEXMAT(TM)) program offers the following tests: --Master Mathematics Teacher EC-4 (087) --Master Mathematics Teacher 4-8 (088) --Master Mathematics Teacher 8-12 (089) --Master Reading Teacher (085) --Master Science Teacher EC-4 (090) --Master Science Teacher 4-8 (091) --Master Science Teacher 8-12 (092) --Master Technology Teacher EC-12 (086) The purpose of these tests is to ensure that each educator certified has the prerequisite content and professional knowledge necessary to perform satisfactorily in the Texas public schools as a master teacher. More information about the TEXMAT program is available on the E T S TEXES website. Links to Registration Bulletins and program-specific content can be found at www.texes.ets.org. The TOPT(TM), TASC(TM), and TASC-ASL(TM) Programs These programs are extensions of the TEXES and EXCET programs for certification in specific areas. --The Texas Oral Proficiency Test(TM) (TOPT(TM)) is required for candidates who are seeking certification to teach either Spanish or French, or to teach Spanish or French in a bilingual setting. --The TOPT assesses the candidate's ability to speak Spanish or French. --The TOPT requires candidates to provide a recorded response to specific speaking tasks to demonstrate their speaking ability in the language being tested. --The TOPT - Spanish will be available for educators seeking certification to teach Spanish or to teach Spanish in a bilingual setting through the 2009-10 testing year. --As of 2011, TOPT - Spanish will no longer be an approved test. It is being replaced by B T L P T - Spanish for those seeking certification to teach Spanish in a bilingual setting and a new Languages Other Than English (LOTE) - Spanish test for those seeking certification to teach Spanish. --The TOPT - French will be available for educators seeking certification to teach French through the 2009-10 testing year. After that time, it will no longer be an approved test. --The Texas Assessment of Sign Communication(TM) (TASC(TM)) and the Texas Assessment of Sign Communication-American Sign Language(TM) (TASC-ASL(TM)) are for candidates who plan to teach students who are deaf or hard-of-hearing or plan to teach ASL, respectively. --The TASC assesses sign communication proficiency within one or more of several sign communication systems used in Texas classrooms, whereas the TASC-ASL assesses proficiency in American Sign Language (ASL) exclusively. --The TASC and TASC-ASL tests use an interview format. --Persons who are seeking the Teacher of the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing certificate to teach in a classroom in which another communication method is predominantly used, such as oral/aural or cued speech, are not required to pass the TASC for certification, although assignment rules do require the educator to pass the TASC. These candidates will have their communication proficiency assessed by their Educator Preparation Program. More information about the TOPT, TASC, and TASC-ASL programs is available on the E T S TEXES website. Links to Registration Bulletins and program-specific content can be found at www.texes.ets.org. Approval to Test A TEXES or EXCET test can be taken if one of the following criteria is met: Educator Preparation Programs If you are fulfilling the requirements in an SBEC/T E A-approved Educator Preparation Program (E P P), you must receive approval to take a certification examination from your E P P. There are several types of teacher training programs. --University Initial -- a program usually delivered as part of a baccalaureate program that includes student teaching --University Post Baccalaureate -- a program that may be offered to an individual who already holds at least a bachelor's degree and is seeking certification 8 --University Alternative Certification Program -- an Alternative Certification Program offered by a university --Alternative Certification Program -- a nontraditional E P P for teachers and administrators who hold bachelor's degrees or higher that may involve university coursework or other professional development experiences as well as intense mentoring and supervision during the candidate's first year in the role of educator Further information about E P P programs and a list of approved E P Ps is available on the SBEC website at www.sbec.state.tx.us. After acceptance and approval to test from your E P P, follow the steps for registering to test. (See "Registration Steps" on pages 15-16.) Out-of-State/Out-of-Country In 2001, the 77th Texas Legislature passed legislation stating that individuals holding out-of-state or out-of-country certificates who perform satisfactorily on certain examinations "similar to and at least as rigorous as" the Texas certification exams may be issued a Texas educator certificate without additional testing. If you are certified and hold an acceptable teaching credential from another state, a U.S. Territory or another country and are seeking to be certified in the equivalent field(s), you must have your credentials reviewed by SBEC/T E A. To have your credentials reviewed, you must go to the SBEC website at www.sbec.state.tx.us and create an Educator Profile, complete an online application for review of credentials, and submit the appropriate documents by mail to T E A. After your credentials have been reviewed, you will be mailed information regarding the tests that you are approved to take. You can then register to test. (See "Registration Steps" on pages 15-16.) Certification by Exam If you hold a Texas classroom teaching certificate, you may add classroom certification areas by successfully completing the appropriate examination for the area(s) you are seeking. (See "Registration Steps" on pages 15-16.) Charter School To fulfill the No Child Left Behind federal requirement to be highly qualified, charter school teachers must demonstrate content mastery in their assignment and competence in the same manner as teachers in public schools. Elementary teachers must demonstrate content mastery by passing TEXES Generalist EC-4 (101). Secondary teachers must demonstrate content mastery by passing either the TEXES or EXCET content examination or having at least 24 semester credit hours in the assigned content area. (See "Registration Steps" on pages 15-16.) NOTE: Passing a TEXES or EXCET test does not qualify charter school teachers for a Texas educator certificate. Temporary Teacher Certificate The Temporary Teacher Certificate (T T C) provides an additional certification route for persons who hold a bachelor's degree or higher to enter the teaching profession in Texas. --Persons requesting a T T C must be employed by a Texas school district for the two-year validity period of the certificate. --The school district(s) must be approved by the SBEC/T E A and must assume the responsibility of training the individual for the validity period of the certificate. --A T T C can only be issued for grades 8-12 in curriculum areas that currently have an examination under the TEXES program. --To acquire a T T C, you must apply for a Review of Credentials and submit an application through the SBEC website. After the Review of Credentials has been completed, you will be notified by SBEC of the appropriate 8-12 TEXES content exam for which you need to register in addition to the Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities 8-12 test. (See "Registration Steps" on pages 15-16.) Exemptions for the Hearing Impaired If you are deaf or hearing impaired, you may be exempt from the TEXES or EXCET testing requirements. Texas Education Code Section 21.048 allows certain individuals who are deaf or hearing impaired to be issued a Temporary Exemption Certificate allowing them to teach in Texas public schools. Contact T E A or visit the SBEC website for more information. (See page 9 for contact information.) Please note that if your certification requires the Texas Assessment of Sign Communication (TASC), the Texas Assessment of Sign Communication-American Sign Language (TASC-ASL), and/or the TEXES American Sign Language (ASL) test(s), you must pass these tests even if you are hearing impaired. 9 CONTACT INFORMATION If you have questions about anything in this Registration Bulletin, you may contact the offices listed below for further information. In all written correspondence, please include your full name, mailing address and telephone number, and indicate the test(s) about which you are requesting information. Include your T E A ID number, if available. GENERAL INQUIRIES Contact E T S for test registration-related issues and questions/issues regarding payment, admission tickets, and score reporting. U.S. Mail E T S-Texas Educator Certification Program PO Box 6001 Princeton, NJ 08541-6001 Overnight Mail E T S-Texas Educator Certification Program Document Processing 1425 Lower Ferry Road Ewing, NJ 08618-1414 Phone 1-800-205-2626 (U.S., U.S. Territories, and Canada) 1-609-771-7393 (all other locations) Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Central time Fax 1-973-735-0156 or 1-866-484-5860 E-mail texes-excet_inquiries@ets.org Web www.texes.ets.org TEST USE/CERTIFICATION If you have questions about which test(s) you need to take or about certification requirements for E P P candidates, contact your advisor, or the director or certification officer at your E P P. If you have questions about applying for certification, out-of-state or out-of-country candidates, additional certification by examination, charter school testing, or temporary teacher certificates go to the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) website or contact Texas Education Agency (T E A). U.S. Mail Texas Education Agency (T E A) Division of Educator Standards Room 5-100 1701 North Congress Avenue Austin, TX 78701-1494 Phone 1-888-863-5880 Out-of-state/out-of-country, certification by examination, charter school, and temporary teacher candidates calling this toll-free number should select option 2 to talk to a certification/credentialing specialist. Fax 1-512-936-8231 Web www.sbec.state.tx.us DISABILITY SERVICES To obtain information and registration materials, contact E T S: U.S. Mail E T S Disability Services PO Box 6054 Princeton, NJ 08541-6054 Phone 1-866-387-8602 (U.S., U.S. Territories, and Canada) 1-609-771-7780 (all other locations) TTY: 1-609-771-7714 Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Central time Fax 1-609-771-7165 E-mail stassd@ets.org Web See "Alternative Testing Arrangements" at www.texes.ets.org 10 CONTACT INFORMATION (continued) TEST CENTER COMPLAINTS Paper-Based Tests E T S-Texas Educator Certification Program Test Administration Services Mail Stop 34-Q Princeton, NJ 08541-6051 Fax 1-609-771-7710 E-mail TexasTas@ets.org Test center complaints for paper-based tests must be submitted in writing by mail, e-mail, or fax. Complaints must be received no later than seven days after your test date. Computer-Administered Tests E T S-Texas Educator Certification Program CAT Complaints PO Box 6051 Princeton, NJ 08541-6051 Fax 1-609-530-0581 E-mail TexasCAT@ets.org Test center complaints for computer-administered tests must be submitted in writing by mail, e-mail, or fax. Complaints must be received no later than two days after your test date. TEST QUESTION INQUIRIES If you think there is an error in a test question that affected your response, tell the test supervisor as soon as you finish the test or send a letter to the following address within two days of your test date for computer-administered tests and seven days for paper-based tests. E T S-Texas Educator Certification Program Test Question Inquiries PO Box 6667 Princeton, NJ 08541-6667 In your letter, state the name and address of the center, the test date and name of the test, the number and content of the question, and the section in which it appeared. TEST PREPARATION RESOURCES Test preparation materials are available on the E T S TEXES website at www.texes.ets.org. If you have questions about preparing to take a TEXES or EXCET test, contact your advisor, or the director or certification officer at your E P P. Visit the E T S TEXES website at www.texes.ets.org for the most up-to-date information. 11 REGISTRATION INFORMATION TEXES and EXCET Tests Offered TEXES Tests The following tables list the TEXES and EXCETS tests offered and provide the code for each test and important notes describing registration restrictions and special testing requirements. More information about the tests, including the test frameworks, test item formats, and study resources is available in the preparation manual for each test. Preparation manuals are available for download free of charge from the E T S TEXES website at www.texes.ets.org. All test sessions are five hours long, except for B T L P T - Spanish which is four hours. (See "Selecting a Test Session" on page 18 for more information about test sessions.) Test Name: Agricultural Science and Technology 6-12 Test Code: 172 Important Notes: Offered at afternoon session only. Test Name: American Sign Language (ASL) Test Code: 184 Important Notes: Offered at afternoon session only. Test Name: Art EC-12 Test Code: 178 Test Name: Bilingual Education Supplemental EC-4* (*Offered as a paper-based or computer-administered test) Test Code: 102 Important Notes: Not offered after August 2010. Test Name: Bilingual Education Supplemental Test Code: ** (**A code has not yet been determined for this test.) Important Notes: Available beginning June 2009. Test Name: Bilingual Education Supplemental 4-8 Test Code: 112 Test Name: Bilingual Generalist EC-4 Test Code: 103 Important Notes: Not offered after August 2010. Test Name: Bilingual Generalist 4-8 Test Code: 119 Important Notes: Scientific calculators are provided at the test center. See "What to Bring to the Test Center" for information about calculators. Test Name: Bilingual Target Language Proficiency Test (B T L P T) - Spanish*** (***Offered as a computer-administered test only.) Test Code: 190 Important Notes: Available beginning early 2009 as a computer-administered test. Not available in paper format. Test session is four hours in length. Test takers must review the Alternate Character Toolbar tutuorial prior to test day. See "Bilingual Target Language Proficiency Test - Spanish" later in this section for additional information about the test. Test Name: Braille Test Code: 183 Important Notes: Offered at afternoon session only. Includes transcription assignments. See "TEXES Braille Tests" later in this section for complete information about what to bring to the test. Test Name: Business Education 6-12 Test Code: 176 Test Name: Chemistry 8-12 Test Code: 140 Important Notes: Offered at afternoon session only. Scientific calculators are provided at the test center. See "What to Bring to the Test Center" for information about calculators. Test Name: Computer Science 8-12 Test Code: 141 Important Notes: Offered at afternoon session only. continued . . . 12 REGISTRATION INFORMATION (continued) Test Name: Dance 8-12 Test Code: 179 Important Notes: Offered at afternoon session only. Test Name: Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Test Code: 181 Important Notes: Offered at afternoon session only. Test Name: English as a Second Language/Generalist EC-4 Test Code: 104 Important Notes: Not offered after August 2010 Test Name: English as a Second Language/Generalist 4-8 Test Code: 120 Important Notes: Scientific calculators are provided at the test center. See "What to Bring to the Test Center" for information about calculators. Test Name: English as a Second Language Supplemental* (*Offered as a paper-based or computer-administered test.) Test Code: 154 Test Name: English Language Arts and Reading 4-8* (*Offered as a paper-based or computer-administered test.) Test Code: 117 Test Name: English Language Arts and Reading 8-12 Test Code: 131 Important Notes: Offered at morning session only. Includes both a set of multiple-choice items and a written response component (essay). Test Name: English Language Arts and Reading/Social Studies 4-8 Test Code: 113 Test Name: Generalist EC-4* (*Offered as a paper-based or computer-administered test.) Test Code: 101 Important Notes: Not offered after August 2010. Test Name: Generalist EC-6 Test Code: 191 Important Notes: Available beginning June 2009. Test Name: Generalist 4-8* (*Offered as a paper-based or computer-administered test.) Test Code: 111 Important Notes: Scientific calculators are provided at the test center. See "What to Bring to the Test Center" for information about calculators. Test Name: Gifted and Talented Supplemental Test Code: 162 Test Name: Health EC-12* (*Offered as a paper-based or computer-administered test.) Test Code: 157 Test Name: History 8-12* (*Offered as a paper-based or computer-administered test.) Test Code: 133 Test Name: Journalism 8-12 Test Code: 156 Important Notes: Offered at afternoon session only. Test Name: Life Science 8-12* (*Offered as a paper-based or computer-administered test.) Test Code: 138 Test Name: Mathematics 4-8* (*Offered as a paper-based or computer-administered test.) Test Code: 115 Important Notes: Scientific calculators are provided at the test center. See "What to Bring to the Test Center" for information about calculators. Test Name: Mathematics 8-12* (*Offered as a paper-based or computer-administered test.) Test Code: 135 Important Notes: Bring a graphing calculator to the test. See "What to Bring to the Test Center" for a list of approved models. Test Name: Mathematics/Physical Science/Engineering 8-12 Test Code: 174 Important Notes: Offered at afternoon session only. Bring a graphing calculator to the test. See "What to Bring to the Test Center" for a list of approved models. continued . . . 13 Test Name: Mathematics/Physics 8-12 Test Code: 143 Important Notes: Offered at afternoon session only. Bring a graphing calculator to the test. See "What to Bring to the Test Center" for a list of approved models. Test Name: Mathematics/Science 4-8 Test Code: 114 Important Notes: Scientific calculators are provided at the test center. See "What to Bring to the Test Center" for information about calculators. Test Name: Music EC-12* (*Offered as a paper-based or computer-administered test.) Test Code: 177 Important Notes: Includes recorded components. May be offered during only a morning or afternoon session. Test Name: Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities EC-4* (*Offered as a paper-based or computer-administered test.) Test Code: 100 Important Notes: Not offered after August 2010. Test Name: Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities EC-6 Test Code: 194 Important Notes: Available beginning June 2009. Test Name: Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities 4-8* (*Offered as a paper-based or computer-administered test.) Test Code: 110 Test Name: Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities 8-12* (*Offered as a paper-based or computer-administered test.) Test Code: 130 Test Name: Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities EC-12* (*Offered as a paper-based or computer-administered test.) Test Code: 160 Test Name: Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities for Trade and Industrial Education 8-12 Test Code: 170 Important Notes: Offered at afternoon session only. Only for candidates seeking initial or additional certification. Test Name: Physical Education EC-12* (*Offered as a paper-based or computer-administered test.) Test Code: 158 Test Name: Physical Science 8-12 Test Code: 137 Important Notes: Offered at afternoon session only. Scientific calculators are provided at the test center. See "What to Bring to the Test Center" for information about calculators. Test Name: Science 4-8* (*Offered as a paper-based or computer-administered test.) Test Code: 116 Test Name: Science 8-12* (*Offered as a paper-based or computer-administered test.) Test Code: 136 Important Notes: Scientific calculators are provided at the test center. See "What to Bring to the Test Center" for information about calculators. Test Name: Social Studies 4-8* (*Offered as a paper-based or computer-administered test.) Test Code: 118 Test Name: Social Studies 8-12 Test Code: 132 Test Name: Special Education EC-12* (*Offered as a paper-based or computer-administered test.) Test Code: 161 Important Notes: Scientific calculators are provided at the test center. See "What to Bring to the Test Center" for information about calculators. Test Name: Special Education Supplemental Test Code: 163 Test Name: Speech 8-12 Test Code: 155 Test Name: Technology Applications 8-12 Test Code: 139 Test Name: Technology Applications EC-12 Test Code: 142 continued . . . 14 REGISTRATION INFORMATION (continued) Test Name: Technology Education 6-12 Test Code: 171 Important Notes: Offered at afternoon session only. Test Name: Theatre EC-12 Test Code: 180 Test Name: Visually Impaired Test Code: 182 Important Notes: Offered at afternoon session only. TEXES Tests for Certification Other than Classroom Teacher The TEXES tests listed below are for a class of certificate other than classroom teacher. These are not certification-by-exam tests; E P P approval is required to take them. If you are not currently affiliated with an E P P, go to the SBEC website at www.sbec.state.tx.us for information about E P P programs and lists of approved E P Ps. Test Name: Educational Diagnostician Test Code: 153 Test Name: Health Science Technology Education 8-12 Test Code: 173 Important Notes: Offered at afternoon session only. Test Name: Marketing Education 8-12 Test Code: 175 Important Notes: Offered at afternoon session only. Test Name: Principal Test Code: 068 Test Name: Reading Specialist Test Code: 151 Important Notes: Offered at afternoon session only. Test Name: School Counselor Test Code: 152 Test Name: School Librarian Test Code: 150 Test Name: Superintendent Test Code: 064 Important Notes: Two-session test. Both sessions must be taken on the same day. Examinees must pass both sessions to pass the overall test. EXCET Tests Test Name: French 6-12 Test Code: 048 Important Notes: Offered at afternoon session only. Includes recorded components. Test Name: German 6-12 Test Code: 049 Important Notes: Offered at afternoon session only. Includes recorded components. Test Name: Latin 6-12 Test Code: 050 Important Notes: Offered at afternoon session only. Test Name: Spanish 6-12 Test Code: 047 Important Notes: Includes recorded components. May be offered during only a morning or afternoon session. 15 REGISTRATION INFORMATION (continued) TEXES Combined and Component Tests Certain combined TEXES tests cannot be taken in conjunction with their TEXES component tests. Candidates should either take the component test(s) or the combined test. These combined tests are listed in the table below. Combined tests contain portions that overlap with their respective component tests. In many cases, the certificates gained through passing these tests will also overlap. If you are enrolled in an E P P, consult with the advisor, director, or certification officer at your program for further information on which test(s) you should take. TEXES Combined Test: Bilingual Generalist EC-4 (103) TEXES Component Test: Bilingual Education Supplemental EC-4* (102) (*Dependent on the target language, you may also need to take a Texas Oral Proficiency Test (TOPT) or the B T L P T - Spanish. Information about the B T L P T - Spanish is below and on page 5. Information about TOPT is in the TOPT Registration Bulletin. The TOPT Registration Bulletin is available on the E T S TEXES website at www.texes.ets.org.) TEXES Component Test: Generalist EC-4 (101) TEXES Combined Test: Bilingual Generalist 4-8 (119) TEXES Component Test: Bilingual Education Supplemental 4-8* (112) (*Dependent on the target language, you may also need to take a Texas Oral Proficiency Test (TOPT) or the B T L P T - Spanish. Information about the B T L P T - Spanish is below and on page 5. Information about TOPT is in the TOPT Registration Bulletin. The TOPT Registration Bulletin is available on the E T S TEXES website at www.texes.ets.org.) TEXES Component Test: Generalist 4-8 (111) TEXES Combined Test: English as a Second Language/Generalist EC-4 (104) TEXES Component Test: English as a Second Language Supplemental (ESL) (154) TEXES Component Test: Generalist EC-4 (101) TEXES Combined Test: English as a Second Language/Generalist 4-8 (120) TEXES Component Test: English as a Second Language Supplemental (ESL) (154) TEXES Component Test: Generalist 4-8 (111) TEXES Combined Test: English Language Arts and REading/Social Studies 4-8 (113) TEXES Component Test: English Language Arts and Reading 4-8 (117) TEXES Component Test: Social Studies 4-8 (118) TEXES Combined Test: Mathematics/Science 4-8 (114) TEXES Component Test: Mathematics 4-8 (115) TEXES Component Test: Science 4-8 (116) TEXES Braille Tests The TEXES Braille test consists of a set of multiple-choice questions assessing examinees' ability to read braille using simulated braille text and a performance component requiring examinees to produce braille text from print text using a slate and stylus and a braillewriter. To accommodate components of this test, examinees taking the TEXES Braille test are tested separately from examinees taking other TEXES tests. NOTE: For the test to be scored, examinees must provide a scorable response for each transcription assignment in the performance component of the test. No score will be reported if any of the transcription assignments is not scorable. For more information about the TEXES Braille test, see the preparation manual for the TEXES Visually Impaired/Braille tests in the Preparation Materials section of E T S TEXES website at www.texes.ets.org. Bilingual Target Language Proficiency Test (B T L P T) - Spanish The Bilingual Target Language Proficiency Test (B T L P T) - Spanish will be required of all educators seeking Bilingual Education certification in Spanish beginning in September 2010. This test will replace the Texas Oral Proficiency Test (TOPT) - Spanish (081). The TOPT Spanish will no longer be an approved test for Bilingual Education - Spanish effective with the 2009-10 testing year. Registration Steps Educator Preparation Program (E P P) Candidates If you are an E P P candidate, you must have approval to test from your E P P. (See "Approval to Test" on page 7.) After you have approval, if you are a first-time testing candidate, you must go to the SBEC website and create an account. When you create your account you will complete an Educator Profile and obtain a T E A ID number. (See "Creating Your SBEC Account" on page 17.) You will be able to view your approved examinations in your Educator Profile under "View Examinations." 16 REGISTRATION INFORMATION (continued) Once you have done that, go to the E T S TEXES online registration system and create an E T S testing account. (See "Creating Your E T S Testing Account" on page 17.) You will register to test through your E T S testing account. If you have already taken a Texas Educator Certification Program test and you want to register for a test that you have not previously been approved to take, you must get approval from your E P P to take that test. Once you have approval to test, you can go to your testing account on the E T S TEXES website and register to test. Out-of-State/Out-of-Country Candidates If you are an out-of-state or out-of-country candidate, you must have your credentials reviewed before you can register to test. To have your credentials reviewed, go to the SBEC website at www.sbec.state.tx.us, create an Educator Profile (see "Creating Your SBEC Account" on page 17), complete an online application for review of credentials, and submit the appropriate documents by mail to T E A. The review process generally takes four to six weeks. After your credentials have been reviewed, you will be mailed information regarding the tests that you are approved to take. You will be able to view your approved examinations in your Educator Profile under "View Examinations" to confirm your eligibility to test. Once you have approval to test, go to the E T S TEXES online registration system and create an E T S testing account. (See "Creating Your E T S Testing Account" on pages 17-18.) You will register to test through your E T S testing account. Certification by Exam Candidates If you are a Certification by Exam candidate, you already have a certificate to teach in Texas and therefore should already have an Educator Profile on the SBEC website and a T E A ID number. Use your T E A ID number to create an E T S testing account and register for an exam on the E T S TEXES website. (See "Creating Your E T S Testing Account" on pages 17-18.) A list of exams that you are eligible to take will be displayed for you in your E T S testing account. This is where you will register to test. If you don't know your T E A ID number, go to your Educator Profile on the SBEC website to retrieve it. If you can't remember your SBEC user name and password, go to the SBEC Online login screen and select "Forgot User Name and Password." After you supply the information requested, your user name and password will be displayed. If your teaching certificate was issued before 2002, you will have to create an Educator Profile on the SBEC website to obtain your T E A ID number. (See "Creating Your SBEC Account" on page 17.) Charter School Candidates If you are a Charter School candidate, you do not need to create an Educator Profile on the SBEC website. You will receive your T E A ID number when you create your E T S testing account and register to test. (See "Creating Your E T S Testing Account" on pages 17-18.) A list of exams that you are eligible to take will be displayed for you in your E T S testing account. This is where you will register to test. Temporary Teacher Candidates If you are a Temporary Teacher Certificate candidate, you must confirm SBEC/T E A approval for the employing entity or school. Once you have confirmed, you must go to the SBEC website and create an account. When you create your account you will complete an Educator Profile and obtain a T E A ID number. (See "Creating Your SBEC Account" on page 17.) After entering your Educator Profile information, you must apply for a Review of Credentials and submit an application. After your credentials have been reviewed, you will be notified by SBEC of the appropriate 8-12 TEXES content exam for which you need to register in addition to the Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities 8-12 test. You will be able to view your approved examinations in your SBEC Educator Profile under "View Examinations" to confirm your eligibility to test. Once you have approval to test, go to the E T S TEXES online registration system and create an E T S personal testing account. (See "Creating Your E T S Testing Account" on pages 17-18.) You will register to test through your E T S testing account. NOTE: T E A Division of Educator Standards is not responsible for approving out-of-state/out-of-country, certification by exam, charter school, and temporary teacher candidates. Examinees with questions regarding testing approvals should call the T E A toll-free number (1-888-863-5880) and select option 2 to talk to a certification/credentialing specialist. 17 REGISTRATION INFORMATION (continued) Creating Your SBEC Account --Go to the SBEC website at www.sbec.state.tx.us, select the link for SBEC Online, and follow the screens. If you already have an account, review and confirm your information and complete all required fields. Remember: the name you create this account under must match the ID documents you will present on the day of the test; otherwise you may be prohibited from taking the test, or your test scores may be canceled after you take the test. Be sure to enter your full name exactly as it appears on your ID. --Complete or update your SBEC Educator Profile, especially your mailing address, phone number, and e-mail address. All updates and corrections to your SBEC Educator Profile must be done on the SBEC website. You should check your SBEC Educator Profile on a regular basis to make sure all of your information is current. (See "Correcting or Updating Your SBEC Educator Profile" on page 24.) --Your SBEC Educator Profile will contain your assigned T E A ID number. A T E A ID number is used for identification throughout the certification and test registration process. --Print your SBEC Educator Profile so that it will be handy when you register to test on the E T S TEXES website at www.texes.ets.org. Creating Your E T S Testing Account If you register online --When you access the E T S TEXES online registration system for the first time, you will be required to create an E T S testing account. --Go to the E T S TEXES website at www.texes.ets.org, select "Your Account," and follow the guidelines for creating an account in the E T S TEXES online registration system. You must create an account in the E T S TEXES online registration system. This is where you will register to test. You cannot register to test through your account on the SBEC site. --You will need to provide your T E A ID number, your first and last name, and your date of birth. Charter school candidates will be given a T E A ID number during the process of creating their testing account. --You may use a different user name and password for your E T S TEXES account than you did on your SBEC account; however, all other information must be identical to the information you entered in your SBEC account. Remember: the name you register under must match the ID documents you will present on the day of the test; otherwise you may be prohibited from taking the test, or your test scores may be canceled after you have taken the test. Be sure to enter your full name exactly as it appears on your ID. If you register by phone or by mail If you register by phone or mail, your E T S testing account will be created for you using the information you supply over the phone or on your paper registration form. This information must match the information in your SBEC account. If it does not, your registration cannot be processed. Once your E T S testing account has been created, you will be sent an e-mail that will include a user name for your E T S testing account. To get a password, go to the E T S TEXES website at www.texes.ets.org and select "Your Account." Because you already have a user name, you will access your account as an existing user. Go to login and enter your user name; then select "Forgot Password?" A temporary password will be e-mailed to you. You can then log in to your account with your user name and temporary password. You will be prompted to change your temporary password when you log in. After you create your account You will be able to: --self register for any exam you are eligible to take --view your registration and make changes if needed --reschedule or cancel your registration --print (or reprint) your admission ticket(s) --place orders for services, such as score verification --check the status of previously placed orders --view your score report --return to your account at any time You cannot update your SBEC Educator Profile through your testing account in the E T S TEXES online registration system. You must go to the SBEC website at www.sbec.state.tx.us to update your SBEC Educator Profile. (See "Correcting or Updating Your SBEC Educator Profile" on page 24 of this Registration Bulletin.) 18 REGISTRATION INFORMATION (continued) Be sure to write your logins down and keep them in a secure place for future use. Remember that the information entered in your E T S TEXES testing account must match the information in your SBEC Educator Profile. Step-by-step registration directions are available on the E T S TEXES website under "Register." (See "New User Set-up Quick Start Guide" and "Test Registration Quick Start Guide.") How to Register for Paper-Based Tests Online at www.texes.ets.org --Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, during the regular, late, and emergency registration periods. --Online registrations must be completed and submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. Central time on the registration deadline dates to be eligible for that registration period. (Test dates and registration deadlines are on page 21.) --Registration for a paper-based test during the late registration period incurs an additional 35 dollar late registration fee. Registration during the emergency registration period incurs an additional 75 dollar emergency registration fee. (See "Test Dates and Registration Deadlines for Paper-Based Tests" on page 21.) --If you have questions or need help registering online, call Customer Service at 1-800-205-2626. Phone --Available for paper-based tests only during the emergency registration period. --Call 1-800-205-2626, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Central time, Monday-Friday, excluding holidays. U.S. Mail --Available only for test takers who do not have access to an electronic mode of payment (credit/debit card) for paper-based test registration during the regular and late registration periods. --A registration form can be downloaded from the TEXES/EXCET section of the E T S TEXES website at www.texes.ets.org. Submit the completed form to the address listed on the form. --Forms received during the late registration period must include the 35 dollar late registration fee. (See "Test Dates and Registration Deadlines for Paper-Based Tests" on page 21.) --Registration by U.S. mail is not available for emergency registration. --If you have questions about registering by mail, call Customer Service at 1-800-205-2626. How to Register for Computer-Administered Tests Online at www.texes.ets.org --Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. --Online registrations must be completed and submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. Central time at least 4 business days before the test date. Test schedules for computer-administered tests are available in the online registration system. --If you have questions or need help registering online, call Customer Service at 1-800-205-2626. Phone --Call 1-800-205-2626, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Central time, Monday-Friday, excluding holidays. Selecting a Test Session On any given testing day, you may take up to two tests, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. When you register for a test, you may select a morning or an afternoon test session (if available at the chosen test center). Please note the following restrictions: --A session request can only be selected when you register. --Some test centers do not offer sessions in both the morning and afternoon. --Some tests are not offered at both the morning and afternoon sessions. --If you register and select a test session and then make subsequent changes to your test and/or test center selection(s), you will be required to pick from the sessions that are available at the center at the time of the change. --The session you select at registration cannot be modified on the day of the test. --The Superintendent test (064) is a two-session test; both the morning and afternoon sessions are required and must be taken on the same day. --Although every effort will be made to accommodate your request, session requests are not guaranteed. 19 REGISTRATION INFORMATION (continued) Test Centers The most current information regarding test centers is available on the E T S TEXES website at www.texes.ets.org. Test centers in Texas are listed by the general area in which they are located and may not be within the actual city limits. There are also a limited number of test centers outside Texas, including centers in Mexico and Puerto Rico. Test centers are selected based on availability and appropriateness of the facilities for the specific test administration. Test center locations are subject to change in the event of scheduling conflicts or other factors. If it becomes necessary to change a test center location, every attempt will be made to seek a new test center located in the same general area as the test center you initially selected. Assignment to a test center depends on available space. The name and address of your test center assignment will be listed on your admission ticket. Paper-Based Test Center Locations in Texas Region 1 Brownsville Edinburg Laredo Region 2 Corpus Christi Kingsville Region 3 Victoria Region 4 Baytown Houston Katy Kingwood Richmond Sugarland Texas City Region 5 Beaumont Orange Region 6 College Station Huntsville Region 7 Marshall Nacogdoches Tyler Region 8 Mt. Pleasant Texarkana Region 9 Wichita Falls Region 10 Commerce Dallas Mesquite Palmer Pottsboro Region 11 Arlington Denton Stephenville Region 12 Belton Waco Region 13 Austin Buda San Marcos Region 14 Abilene Region 15 Brownwood San Angelo Region 16 Amarillo Canyon Region 17 Lubbock Region 18 Alpine Odessa Region 19 El Paso Region 20 Kerrville San Antonio Uvalde Paper-Based Test Center Locations Outside Texas Arkansas Little Rock Louisiana Baton Rouge Shreveport Oklahoma Tulsa 19 REGISTRATION INFORMATION (continued) Computer-Administered Test Center Locations in Texas Region 1 Brownsville Eagle Pass Edinburg Laredo McAllen Rio Grande City Region 2 Corpus Christi Kingsville Region 3* (*There are currently no CAT centers in this region. Check the surrounding regions for the nearest CAT center.) Region 4 Houston Texas City Region 5 Beaumont Region 6 College Station Region 7 Marshall Nacogdoches Tyler Region 8* (*There are currently no CAT centers in this region. Check the surrounding regions for the nearest CAT center.) Region 9 Wichita Falls Region 10 Commerce Dallas Region 11 Arlington Bedford Denton Ft. Worth Region 12 Waco Region 13 Austin Pflugerville San Marcos Region 14 Abilene Region 15 San Angelo Region 16 Amarillo Canyon Region 17 Lubbock Region 18 Odessa Region 19 El Paso Region 20 Del Rio San Antonio Uvalde Computer-Administered Test Centers Outside Texas Arkansas Arkadelphia Fayetteville Jonesboro Louisiana Monroe New Orleans Mexico Guadalajara Mexico City Monterrey New Mexico Albuquerque Roswell Oklahoma Oklahoma City Stillwater Puerto Rico Carolina Guaynabo 21 REGISTRATION INFORMATION (continued) Test Dates and Registration Deadlines for Paper-Based (PBT) Tests The TEXES and EXCET PBT tests will be administered five times during the 2008-09 testing year. The registration deadlines indicated below are strictly enforced; exceptions are not made. Regular Registration Test Date: November 8, 2008 Deadline: October 10, 2008 Test Date: January 31, 2009 Deadline: January 2, 2009 Test Date: April 4, 2009 Deadline: March 6, 2009 Test Date: June 27, 2009 Deadline: May 29, 2009 Test Date: August 29, 2009 Deadline: July 31, 2009 Online Registration --Registration must be completed and submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. Central time on the deadline date. Mail-In Registration --Registration forms must be received no later than the regular registration deadline. Late Registration Test Date: November 8, 2008 Deadline: October 17, 2008 Test Date: January 31, 2009 Deadline: January 9, 2009 Test Date: April 4, 2009 Deadline: March 13, 2009 Test Date: June 27, 2009 Deadline: June 5, 2009 Test Date: August 29, 2009 Deadline: August 7, 2009 Online Registration --Registration must be completed and submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. Central time on the deadline date. Mail-In Registration --Registration forms must be received no later than the late registration deadline. A 35 dollar nonrefundable late fee in addition to the standard test fee is required for registrations submitted after the regular registration deadline up to the late registration deadline. Mailed-in registration forms received without the late fee or after the late registration deadline will be returned unprocessed. Registration by mail is not available after the late registration deadline. Emergency Registration Test Date: November 8, 2008 Deadline: October 31, 2008 Test Date: January 31, 2009 Deadline: January 23, 2009 Test Date: April 4, 2009 Deadline: March 27, 2009 Test Date: June 27, 2009 Deadline: June 19, 2009 Test Date: August 29, 2009 Deadline: August 21, 2009 Online Registration --Registration must be completed and submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. Central time on the deadline date. Phone Registration --Registration must be completed no later than 5:00 p.m. Central time on the deadline date. A 75 dollar nonrefundable emergency registration fee in addition to the standard test fee is required for registrations submitted after the late registration deadline up to the emergency registration deadline. The emergency registration deadline is the last possible date to register to test or reschedule. Test Dates and Registration Deadlines for Computer-Administered (CAT) Tests Test schedules for CAT tests, including B T L P T - Spanish, are available in the online registration system on the E T S TEXES website at www.texes.ets.org. Registration must be completed at least four business days before the test date. If you register by phone, available dates will be provided to you. All seating for CAT tests is on a space-available basis, so it is important to register early to be able to test on your desired date. Admission Tickets You will need to print an admission ticket for each test for which you are registered. Your admission ticket will contain information about your reporting time and reporting address. If any of the information on your admission ticket is not accurate or if you have any questions about your test center assignment, call Customer Service immediately at 1-800-205-2626. You must take your admission ticket with you to the test center on the day of the test. If you do not bring your admission ticket, you may not be permitted to test. Be sure to keep a copy for your records. 22 REGISTRATION INFORMATION (continued) Printing Admission Tickets You can print your admission ticket by accessing your testing account on the E T S TEXES website at www.texes.ets.org. If you have not already established an account in the system, you will need to do so to print your admission ticket. (See "Creating Your E T S Testing Account" on page 17 for details.) You should return to your testing account and view your admission ticket 24 hours before your test to confirm that there have been no changes to your reporting schedule. If there is a test center change (e.g., a different building than originally scheduled), it will be updated in your testing account. If there have been changes, you must print a new admission ticket. If you have questions or need help printing an admission ticket, call Customer Service at 1-800-205-2626. NOTE: You will not receive a paper admission ticket in the mail. Monday Testing Monday testing for paper-based tests will be arranged only for those whose religious convictions prevent them from testing on Saturday or those who are members of the U.S. armed forces and have duties that prevent them from testing on Saturday. To register you must submit the following by mail: --A completed "Monday Testing" registration form --Correct fees --A letter signed by your cleric on letterhead stationary confirming your affiliation with a recognized religious body whose convictions prevent you from testing on Saturday or a copy of your military orders. Online and phone registration is not available for Monday testing. A registration form specifically for Monday testing can be downloaded from the "Alternative Testing Arrangements" section of the E T S TEXES website at www.texes.ets.org. When completing your registration form, leave the test center code number and test center name blank. Fill in the city and state where you wish to test. You will be assigned to the closest available test center. Registration forms must be received by the late registration deadline. Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) DANTES testing will be arranged for military personnel and their spouses who are stationed outside the state of Texas and wish to take the paper-based TEXES tests. If you meet this qualification, you must contact Meryl Kettler, the Texas DANTES coordinator, at (512) 919-5484 to review and request the DANTES testing procedures. Phone and online registration is not available for DANTES testing. A representative from E T S will work directly with you regarding the registration and testing process once approval from the Texas DANTES coordinator is received. Fees for Tests and Related Services Test Fees 120 dollars Test fee (per test) 240 dollars Superintendent test fee* (* The Superintendent test is a two-session test -- both sessions are required.) 35 dollars Late registration fee** (**Late and emergency registration fees are nonrefundable) 75 dollars Emergency registration fee** (**Late and emergency registration fees are nonrefundable) 50 dollars International site fee Additional Services 15 dollars Test, test center, test date, or test session change during regular or late registration period 75 dollars Test, test center, test date, or test session change during emergency registration period 25 dollars Multiple-choice score verification (not available for computer-administered TEXES tests) 35 dollars Written-response score verification (including Braille written response) 60 dollars Multiple-choice and written-response score verification 70 dollars B T L P T - Spanish written/oral response score verification 20 dollars Fee for returned check 30 dollars Additional processing fee for DANTES requests 23 REGISTRATION INFORMATION (continued) Payment --Online and phone payments can be made by credit/debit card (American Express(R), Discover(R), MasterCard(R), and VISA(R)) Any debit/check card branded with one of the above four accepted credit card logos can be processed. --Information about payments sent by mail is on the form for the service you are requesting. Payment Policies --All fees are stated in U.S. dollars. --All outstanding balances with E T S must be paid in full prior to registering for any E T S-administered tests. --All payments must be for the full amount. --If you do not have sufficient credit or funds in your account, your scores will be withheld, you will be unable to register for additional tests, and an additional service fee of 20 dollars will be added to your account. You will receive your scores as soon as the total outstanding balance has been cleared, unless your scores are being withheld for any other reason. (See "Cancellation of Test Scores by E T S and T E A" on page 34). --Services may be withheld for nonpayment of fees. --Refunds of test fees will be made in U.S. dollar denominations. (See "Canceling a Test" on page 24 for information regarding refunds.) --There are no refunds for service fees. --Additional policies for payments made by mail are on the form for the service you are requesting. Change Requests Requests to change your test, test date, test center, or test session can be made: --Online at www.texes.ets.org. --By calling Customer Service at 1-800-205-2626. You must make the call yourself. No one else will be allowed to request changes for you. --If you are registered for a paper-based test, you may also request changes by completing and submitting a Change Request form. The Change Request form can be downloaded at www.texes.ets.org. Completion and submission instructions and payment policies are on the form. --If you are registered for a computer-administered test, you cannot use the Change Request form. You must make your request online or by phone. --You cannot make a request to change from a paper-based test to a computer-administered test and vice versa. To do this, you must cancel the test for which you are registered and then register for the new test. (See "Canceling a Test" on page 24 for details.) --If you are registered for Monday testing or nonstandard testing accommodations, you cannot reschedule online; you may only reschedule using the Change Request form. If you are affiliated with an E P P, you must be preapproved by your program for the new test you are planning to take. Contact them for further information. The deadline for making changes for paper-based tests is the emergency registration deadline listed on the back cover of this Registration Bulletin. Changes for computer-administered tests can be made up to four business days before the test date. Changes in registration will be processed only if seats are available at the requested test center, on the requested date, and at the requested time. If you are requesting testing accommodations, you must mail the Change Request form to E T S Disability Services. The mailing address is on the form. These requests must be received by the late registration deadline. For paper-based tests, a 15 dollar processing fee is charged for all registration changes during the regular and late registration periods. This is in addition to the 120 dollar test fee. Registration changes made during the emergency registration period incur a 75 dollar processing fee in addition to the 120 dollar test fee. If you submit your request via the E T S TEXES website at www.texes.ets.org, you must pay your change request fee by credit/debit card (American Express, Discover, MasterCard and VISA). If you submit your request by mail, you must include payment for the change fee with your request. For computer-administered tests, a 15 dollar processing fee is charged up to the deadline for making changes. (See "Fees for Tests and Related Services" on page 22 for payment policies.) 24 REGISTRATION INFORMATION (continued) Canceling a Test You may cancel a test for which you have registered through your testing account on the E T S TEXES website at www.texes.ets.org. If you are registered for a paper-based test, you may also cancel by completing and submitting the Test Cancellation form. The Test Cancellation form can be downloaded at www.texes.ets.org. Mail or fax the completed form to the address or fax number listed on the form. If you are registered for Monday testing (for military or religious reasons), military testing, or nonstandard testing accommodations, you cannot cancel online. You may only cancel using the Test Cancellation form. See cancellation deadlines and refund information below. Paper-Based Tests --If the cancellation is processed online or received via mail by the regular registration deadline, the full test fee will be refunded, less a 20 dollar refund fee. --If the cancellation is processed online or received via mail after the regular registration deadline but before the late registration deadline, the full test fee will be refunded, less a 30 dollar refund fee. --Cancellations processed online or received via mail after the late registration deadline will not be eligible for a refund. Computer-Administered Tests --If the cancellation is processed online or by phone no later than three business days prior to the test date, the full test fee (including the International Site fee) will be refunded, less a 30 dollar refund fee. --Cancellations processed online or by phone less than three business days prior to the test date will not be eligible for a refund. DANTES Testing --Fees for DANTES requests are not refundable. Refunds of test fees will be issued based on the original payment method. If your original payment was made by credit/debit card, a refund will be processed immediately to your credit/debit card. Check with your credit/debit card company regarding its processing time for crediting your account. If the original payment was check or money order, a refund will be processed once the original payment has cleared. If you are absent or arrive too late to take the test at the test administration for which you are registered, you will not be entitled to a refund. Service fees are nonrefundable. Test Retake Policy If you do not pass a paper-based TEXES or EXCET test, you can retake it at any subsequent paper-based test administration. However, if you take a computer-administered test, you cannot retake a computer-administered version of the same test for sixty days. If you are affiliated with an E P P, check with your program to see if you need approval to retest. Contact them for further information. Correcting or Updating Your SBEC Educator Profile It is extremely important to keep the information in your SBEC Educator Profile up-to-date because the information you enter is uploaded into the E T S TEXES registration system. Occasionally, E T S and T E A staff may need to contact you in the event that there is a last-minute change in a test administration reporting address or a reporting time change. Keeping the information current in your Educator Profile, especially your phone number and e-mail address, enables E T S and T E A staff to contact you quickly if the need arises. If your information is not current, E T S assumes no responsibility if you do not receive updated information. You can update your mailing address, phone number and e-mail address by logging in to your Educator Profile on the SBEC website at www.sbec.state.tx.us. To make a name change, you must submit documentation to the Director of Credentialing Services, 1701 N. Congress Ave., Austin, TX, 78701. Name changes must be made in conjunction with your primary ID documents. The name in your Educator Profile must match the identification document(s) you will present at the test center. You may also contact SBEC via e-mail. (See "E-mail SBEC" in the "Contact Us" section of the SBEC website at www.sbec.state.tx.us.) After updating your Educator Profile on the SBEC website, please confirm the changes by logging in to your testing account on the E T S TEXES website at www.texes.ets.org and clicking on "Modify Your Profile" to confirm that the information retrieved from SBEC is correct. If there are any discrepancies in the data, call Customer Service at 1-800-205-2626. 25 ON THE DAY OF THE TEST What to Bring to the Test Center --Your admission ticket. If you do not bring your admission ticket, you may not be permitted to test. You should return to your testing account on the E T S TEXES website and view your admission ticket 24 hours before your test to confirm that there have been no changes to your reporting schedule. If there is a test center change (e.g., a different building than originally scheduled), it will be updated in your account. If there have been changes, you must print a new admission ticket. --Acceptable and valid identification document(s) with a signature and photograph. Your ID will be checked before you are admitted. The name you give when you register must match the name on the identification document(s) you present at the test center. (See "Identification (ID) Requirements" on pages 26-28.) --For paper-based tests, you should bring 3 or 4 sharpened soft-lead (No. 2 or HD) pencils with good erasers. Pencils will not be supplied at the test center. Mechanical pencils and mechanical erasers cannot be used. --See "TEXES and EXCET Tests Offered" on pages 11-15 for information about other items to bring to the test administration for specific tests. Calculators --Scientific calculators. Examinees taking Bilingual Generalist 4-8 (119), Chemistry 8-12 (140), English as a Second Language/Generalist 4-8 (120), Generalist 4-8 (111), Mathematics 4-8 (115), Mathematics/Science 4-8 (114), Physical Science 8-12 (137), Science 8-12 (136), or Special Education EC-12 (161) will be provided with Texas Instruments TI-30X IIs scientific calculators at the test administration. You may not use your own calculator for these tests. --Approved graphing calculators. Examinees taking TEXES Mathematics 8-12 (135), TEXES Mathematics/Physical Science/Engineering 8-12 (174), or TEXES Mathematics/Physics 8-12 (143) must bring a graphing calculator to the test and may bring a second calculator as a backup, if they wish. Graphing calculators will not be provided at the administration. Only the brands and models listed on this page may be used. Approved calculator brands and models are subject to change; if there is a change, examinees will be notified. Test administration staff will clear the memory of your calculator(s) both before and after testing. Therefore, be sure to back up the memory on your calculator(s), including applications, to an external device before arriving at the test center. Manufacturer: Casio Approved Models: FX 1.0 series, FX-7400 series, FX-9750 series, CFX-9850 series, FX-9860 series, CFX 9970 series, FX 2.0 (ALGFX2.0) Manufacturer: Hewlett-Packard Approved Models: HP 9g, HP 38g series, HP 39g series, HP 40g series, HP 48g series, HP 49g series, HP 50g series Manufacturer: Sharp Approved Models: EL-9300, EL-9600, EL-9600c, EL-9900 Manufacturer: Texas Instruments Approved Models: TI-73, TI-80, TI-81, TI-82, TI-83, TI-83 Plus, TI-83 Plus Silver, TI-84 Plus, TI-84 Plus Silver, TI-85, TI-86, TI-89, TI-89 Titanium, TI-Nspire, TI-Nspire CAS TEXES Braille Test For the TEXES Braille test, you must bring the following: --a manual (nonelectric) braillewriter (must accommodate standard 11 and one half by 11-inch braille paper) --a slate and stylus (must accommodate 8 and one half by 11-inch paper) --a braille eraser Braille paper will be provided for you at the test center. You cannot use your own braille paper. If you do not bring an appropriate braillewriter and slate and stylus with you to the test center, you will not be permitted to test. You must use the particular device specified for each section of the test. All equipment will be subject to inspection before being allowed into the test administration. See the test preparation manual for the TEXES Visually Impaired/Braille Tests in the Preparation Materials section of the E T S TEXES website for further information about the TEXES Braille test. 26 ON THE DAY OF THE TEST (continued) Admission to the Test You must report to the test center 30 minutes before the start time listed on your admission ticket. If you arrive late, you will not be admitted and your test fee will be forfeited. It is your responsibility to allow plenty of time to arrive by the designated time, regardless of whether there is traffic congestion, road construction, bad weather, car accidents, poor directions, or any other incident that may delay arrival. You must bring the required identification documents with you. (See "Identification (ID) Requirements" below.) Without the required ID documents, you will not be permitted to test. Paper-Based Testing Morning Session Test Center Reporting Time*: 7:30 a.m. (*Examinees must report to the test center by this time. The doors to the test center may close at any point after the scheduled reporting time.) Test Session Start Time: 8:00 a.m. Afternoon Session Test Center Reporting Time*: 1:30 p.m. (*Examinees must report to the test center by this time. The doors to the test center may close at any point after the scheduled reporting time.) Test Session Start Time: 2:00 p.m. Computer-Administered Testing Computer-administered tests are administered at various times in the morning and in the afternoon. You must be at the test center 30 minutes before the start time on your admission ticket. Identification (ID) Requirements The identification information and requirements contained in this section must be read by all test takers. Your ID requirements depend upon the country in which you plan to test. Please read the specific information that follows for acceptable primary and supplemental identification documents. Information for ALL Test Takers --You must have acceptable and valid ID documents with your name, signature, and photograph to be admitted to a test center. ID requirements are strictly enforced. It is your responsibility to read and understand the instructions and requirements. It is not the responsibility of the test center to relay these policies to you. --All documents must be originals; copies of documents are not acceptable. --If you arrive at the test center without the required ID, the test center staff will not admit you to the test, and you will forfeit your registration and test fees. --When scheduling your test, you must use exactly the same name as shown on the primary identification document that you will present at the test center. If the name shown on your primary ID does not match the name on your registration record, you will not be permitted to test and a refund will not be issued. You will have to submit a new registration and pay a new registration fee. There is one exception to this requirement. If you have been married or divorced between registering for and taking the exam and the registration has your maiden name and the ID has your married name (or vice versa), this is acceptable if you bring along a RECENT marriage certificate or divorce decree that was issued between the registration date and actual test date. "Recent" can be interpreted to mean issued within the last six months. --If your ID document contains two last names, enter the names exactly as presented on your ID document. If you register via the phone, please ensure that the representative makes your registration in the complete name that appears on your ID. --The ID must be current (not expired). There is one exception to this requirement. If your Texas driver's license has expired but you have your Texas Department of Public Safety renewal certificate, these two together are acceptable as long as the name on the driver's license and the name on the renewal certificate are the same. --If the test center staff questions the ID you present, you will be required to provide a second proof of identity. If positive confirmation cannot be made, you may be refused admission to the test center and you will forfeit your registration and test fees. --Test center personnel will check your ID before assigning you a seat at the test center. The test center supervisor will check to verify that you are the person in your photo identification. The supervisor will repeat this procedure before and after all breaks. --Admittance to the test center does not imply that your form of identification is valid or that your scores will be reported. All reported cases of questionable identi-fication are subject to review and approval by the E T S Office of Testing Integrity either during or after the test administration. E T S reserves the right to withhold and/or cancel scores in the event the ID requirements set forth herein are not met. 27 ON THE DAY OF THE TEST (continued) Acceptable Primary Identification Documents TESTING WITHIN YOUR COUNTRY OF CITIZENSHIP Only one form of primary ID is needed if your primary ID document contains your name, photograph, and a signature. Acceptable primary ID documents are: --Passport with name, photograph, and signature --Current driver's license with name, photograph, and signature (See exception on previous page.) --State ID issued by the motor vehicle agency with name, photograph, and signature --Government-issued ID with name, photograph, and signature --Military ID with name, photograph, and signature If the test center supervisor has any concerns about the primary ID document, you will be required to present an acceptable supplemental ID. (See "Acceptable Supplemental Identification Documents" on this page.) If your primary ID does not contain your signature, either sign the document or present an acceptable supplemental ID document. TESTING OUTSIDE YOUR COUNTRY OF CITIZENSHIP --You must present your passport as your primary ID document. If you do not meet this requirement, you may not be admitted to test. --U.S. military personnel may present their U.S. military ID cards for admission to test centers. If a military ID card does not contain a signature, a supplemental ID is required. (See "Acceptable Supplemental Identification Documents" on this page.) If your passport is not written in English, you must also present a supplemental ID document that contains a clear, recent photo and is in English. If your passport does not contain your signature, either sign your passport or present a supplemental ID document.The following documents are also acceptable for admission. You do not need advance approval from the E T S Office of Testing Integrity to use these specific documents. To be acceptable, however, these documents must be accompanied by a supplemental ID that contains your photograph. (See "Acceptable Supplemental Identification Documents" on this page.) --Permanent Resident Card/Resident Alien Card (Form I-551 or I-151) --Temporary Resident Card (Form I-688) --Employment Authorization Card (Form I-688A, I-688B, or I-766) --Mexican Border Crosser Card (This form of ID may be accepted only at test centers that are within 25 miles of the Mexican border.) Acceptable Supplemental Identification Documents If your primary ID is missing your photo or a signature, you must present one of the following supplemental IDs in addition to your primary ID. The supplemental ID must contain a clear, recent photo and your signature; it cannot be expired. Acceptable supplemental ID documents are: --Government-issued ID (including but not limited to passport, driver's license, state ID card, national identification, or military identification). There are some exceptions. (See "Unacceptable Identification Documents" below.) --Student ID --Confirmation of identity letter from your educational institution. The letter must contain your name; date of birth; a recent, recognizable photo; your signature; and the date issued. It must be typed on the original letterhead of the educational institution you attend(ed), and the signature of the school official and the school seal must overlap your photo. A letter of identity is valid for only one year from the date of issue. Unacceptable Identification Documents --Any expired ID (except for expired Texas driver's license presented together with Texas Department of Public Safety renewal certificate, subject to conditions previously set forth) --International driver's license --Draft classification card --International student ID --Credit/debit card of any kind --Notary-prepared letter or document --Social security card --Employee ID card --Learner's permit or any temporary identification document --Birth certificate 28 ON THE DAY OF THE TEST (continued) If you cannot meet the specified ID requirements or if you have questions about ID, you must contact the E T S Office of Testing Integrity (1-609-406-5430, fax: 1-609-406-9709, or e-mail: TSReturns@ets.org) before you register to test. If you do not contact the E T S Office of Testing Integrity before registering and are not admitted to the test, you will forfeit your registration and test fees. It is your responsibility to ensure that your ID documents are up-to-date and available on the day of the test. Test Center Procedures and Regulations By submitting your registration for a TEXES or EXCET test, you are agreeing to abide by all procedures and policies contained in this Registration Bulletin and/or communicated to you at the test administration for which you have registered. This Registration Bulletin and all other applicable rules of the State Board for Educator Certification (Texas Administrative Code, Title 19, Part 7) govern your participation in the TEXES and EXCET programs. General Guidelines --Dress so that you can adapt to any room temperature. --Test centers do not have large waiting areas. Friends or relatives who accompany you to the test center will not be permitted to wait in the test center or be in contact with you while you are taking the test. Except for E T S-authorized observers, visitors are not permitted in the testing room while testing is in progress. --ID verification at the test center may include thumb-printing, photographing, videotaping, or some other form of electronic ID confirmation. If you refuse to participate, you will not be permitted to test and you will forfeit your registration and test fees. This is in addition to the requirement that you must present acceptable and valid identification. --Cell phones are not allowed in the test center. Using or having a cell phone in your possession in the test center may be grounds for dismissal or cancellation of scores. --Personal items other than identification documents are not allowed in the testing room. This includes, without limitation, PDAs, BlackBerry(R) devices, any other electronic or photographic devices, and study materials. You will be required to follow the procedures set by the test center for storage of your personal belongings. You may also be asked to empty your pockets. Storage space is limited, so plan accordingly. You will not have access to your personal items during the test. Personal items such as hats, scarves, jackets, and outerwear that are taken into the test room are subject to inspection by test center staff before you are admitted to the test room. Failure to comply may result in dismissal from the test and/or cancellation of scores. --Neither E T S nor the test centers assume any responsibility whatsoever for personal items or devices that you choose to bring into the test center. --The test center supervisor will assign you a seat. --On occasion, weather conditions or other circumstances beyond the test center or E T S's control may require a delayed start or the rescheduling of your test. Paper-Based Tests The following procedures and regulations apply during the entire test session, which begins when you are admitted to the test center, ends when you leave the test center, and includes breaks. --Supervisors will not honor requests for schedule changes. --Take your admission ticket and identification document(s) to the test center. --Take 3 or 4 sharpened soft-lead (No. 2 or HB) pencils with good erasers. Mechanical pencils and mechanical erasers cannot be used. Pencils and erasers will not be supplied at the center. --No test taker will be admitted after test materials have been distributed. --Paper of any kind is not permitted in the testing room. --You must have the supervisor's permission to leave the room during the test. Any time lost cannot be made up. --In exams containing timed listening sections, once recorded material has begun, it cannot be stopped. Breaks should not be taken during this time. 29 ON THE DAY OF THE TEST (continued) --You may wish to pace yourself with your own watch, but the supervisor is the official timekeeper. You will not be permitted to continue the test or any part of it beyond the established time limit. Watch alarms are not permitted. --Answers to multiple-choice questions recorded in the test book will not be scored. You may use the test book to work out your answers, but you must mark all of your answers on the separate answer sheet before time is called. --At the conclusion of the test, you will be required to return your test book and answer sheet to the test supervisor. These materials are the property of E T S. --Graphing or scientific calculators are allowed or required for some tests; for detailed information, see Calculators under "What to Bring to the Test Center" on page 25. Computer-Administered Tests The following procedures and regulations apply during the entire test session, which begins at sign-in, ends at sign-out, and includes breaks. --You will be required to write (not print) and sign a confidentiality statement at the test center. If you do not complete and sign the statement, you cannot test and your fee(s) will not be refunded. --You will be required to sign the test center log before and after the test session and any time you leave or enter the testing room. --The test center supervisor will provide you with scratch paper that may be replenished after you have used all pages of the scratch paper initially given to you. You may not take your own scratch paper to the test, nor may you remove scratch paper from the testing room at any time. The scratch paper is provided to assist test takers in working out problems and for appropriate note taking during the timed sections of the test. Scratch paper should NOT be used during the untimed sections or during breaks. --If you need to leave your seat at any time, raise your hand; timing of the section will not stop. --In exams containing timed listening sections, once recorded material has begun, it cannot be stopped. Breaks should not be taken during this time. --If at any time during the test you have a problem with your computer or for any reason need the test center supervisor, raise your hand. --Testing premises are subject to videotaping. --The maximum time allotted for untimed sections prior to the test is 30 minutes. The purpose of the untimed sections prior to the test is to become familiar with important information that will make your computer-administered test experience as convenient as possible. The time you spend on the untimed sections should not be for any other purpose. Infractions will be reported to E T S and the test center supervisor is authorized to dismiss you from the test administration if you fail to follow the test center supervisor's directions. Although paper-based and computer-administered tests are administered under strict supervision and security measures, testing irregularities may sometimes occur. Please contact E T S as soon as possible after the test to report any observed irregular behavior -- for example, someone copying from another test taker, taking a test for someone else, having access to test questions before the exam, or using notes or unauthorized aids. All information will be held in strictest confidence. Phone: 1-800-353-8570 (United States only) 1-609-406-5444 (all other locations) Fax: 1-609-406-9709 E-mail: TSReturns@ets.org Dismissal from a Test Center A test center supervisor is authorized to dismiss you from a test session and/or your scores may be withheld and ultimately canceled for any actions that violate the policies and procedures set forth herein and/or communicated at the test center including, without limitation, the following: --attempting to take the test for someone else or having someone else take the test for you --failing to provide acceptable identification as described herein --obtaining improper access to the test, a part of the test, or information about the test 30 ON THE DAY OF THE TEST (continued) --using a phone or having a cell phone or any other prohibited device in your possession in the test center (Cell phones and/or electronic and photographic devices are not permitted in the test center. If you take these devices into the test center, they may be collected by the test center staff and/or reported by test center personnel. You will be required to follow the procedures set by the test center for storage of your cell phone or any electronic/photographic device you bring to the test center. If you fail to follow the directions of the test center staff, you may be prohibited from taking the test and/or the test center staff may report your violation to E T S. Any violation of this procedure during the test may result in withholding/cancellation of your scores, dismissal from the test center, and/or banning you from future testing. Neither E T S nor the test centers assume any responsibility whatsoever for personal devices that you choose to bring to the test center.) --using any aids in connection with the test, including, without limitation, mechanical pencils, mechanical erasers, pens, pagers, beepers, calculators (except on tests where a calculator is permitted), watch calculators, books, pamphlets, notes, unauthorized scratch paper, rulers, highlighter pens, stereos or radios with headphones, phones, cell phones, watch alarms (including those with flashing lights or alarm sounds), stop watches, dictionaries, translators, compasses, protractors, and any handheld electronic or photographic devices --creating a disturbance (Disruptive behavior in any form will not be tolerated. The test center supervisor has sole discretion in determining what constitutes disruptive behavior.) --attempting to give or receive assistance (Discussion or sharing of test content during the test administration, during breaks, or after the test is prohibited. Communication in any form is not permitted during the test administration.) --removing or attempting to remove test content from the test center (Under no circumstances may test content or any part of the test content be removed, reproduced, and/or disclosed by any means [e.g., hard copy, verbally, electronically] to any person or entity.) --tampering with a computer --attempting to remove scratch paper from the computer-administered testing room or using scratch paper during untimed sections or during breaks --bringing a weapon or firearm into the test center --bringing food, drink, or tobacco into the testing room --leaving the test center during the test session or during breaks --leaving the testing room without permission --taking excessive or extended unscheduled breaks during the test session (Test center supervisors are required to strictly monitor unscheduled breaks and report test takers who take excessive or extended breaks.) --referring to, looking through, or working on any test or test section when not authorized to do so, or working after time has been called --failing to follow any of the test administration regulations contained in this Registration Bulletin, given by the test center supervisor or test center staff, or specified in any test materials E T S and T E A reserve the right to take any and all actions -- including, but not limited to, barring you from future testing and/or withholding or canceling your scores -- for failure to comply with test administration regulations or the test center supervisor's directions. If your scores are canceled, they will not be reported, and your registration and test fees will not be refunded. Taking Computer-Administered Tests and Recording Answers --All computer-administered TEXES tests (except for the B T L P T - Spanish) consist entirely of multiple-choice questions. All questions, including recorded and printed excerpts for the Music EC-12 (177) test, are presented via the computer and you will select responses using the computer. --Read the directions carefully. You are responsible for reading and understanding the directions before beginning the test. No oral instructions will be provided. The time you take to read the directions is not considered part of the testing time; however, it is recommended that you take no more than about fifteen minutes doing this. --Click "Help" to review the "General Directions," "Testing Tools," "How to Answer" and "How to Scroll." The test clock will not stop when the "Help" function is being used. 31 --To answer a question, click on a response. To move on to the next question, click on "Next." To return to a previous question, click on "Back." If you are uncertain about a question and want to mark it to review or return to later in the exam session, click on "Mark," which will place a check mark next to the question on the Review screen. The Review screen lists all of the questions in the test and their status. This can be accessed by clicking "Review." Only questions that have been previously seen may be reviewed. NOTE: Some tests (Music EC-12 and B T L P T - Spanish) include sections in which you are presented with recorded prompts, or your verbal response is captured. In these sections, you will not be given the option to press "Back" or "Next." Instead, the computer automatically goes to the next question when time is up. The "Review" function is also not available for these sections. --For the rest of the Music, B T L P T - Spanish, and all of the other tests, there is a question at the end of each section that asks if you are finished with the section. At this point, you can either go back and review your answers or continue to the next section. If you choose to continue instead of reviewing your answers, you will advance to the next section. If your test only has one section or you are in the last section of your test, it will end your test, and you will not be able to go back and review any further. --Your test may include questions that will not count toward your score. Some questions are placed on the test to collect information about how they will perform under actual testing conditions. There may also be some exit evaluation questions. These questions are not scored and relate to your overall testing experience; your responses to these questions provide E T S with valuable information for future program enhancements. --At the end of a computer-administered test, you are given the option of reporting or canceling your scores for that session. (See "Cancellation of Test Scores by You" on pages 33-34.) Cancellation of a Test Session In the event it becomes necessary or desirable for E T S or T E A to cancel a test administration for reasons beyond its control, including without limitation, severe weather conditions, natural disaster (e.g., flood, fire), terrorist acts, acts of vandalism, hazardous conditions at the test center, or some other event, a cancellation announcement will be posted as soon as possible on the E T S TEXES website at www.texes.ets.org. The cancellation announcement will also be available as a recorded phone message at 1-800-205-2626. You will be advised by e-mail or U.S. mail as soon as the test administration has been rescheduled. It is imperative that you keep the contact information, especially your phone number and e-mail address, in your Educator Profile on the SBEC website up-to-date so you can be contacted quickly if the need arises. Unless T E A cancels a test administration at a given test center, the test administration will be conducted as scheduled, barring circumstances preventing prior notification of cancellation (e.g., natural disaster, terrorist acts). If you miss a test administration that has not been officially canceled, you will be considered absent and will not receive a refund or credit of any kind. Submitting Comments If you have comments about the test center or the conditions under which you took a test, please submit your comments in a letter via mail, e-mail or fax to the appropriate address under "Test Center Complaints" on page 10. All comments must be sent directly to E T S. Comments sent to your E P P or to T E A will not be acted upon. Comments about paper-based test centers must be received no later than seven days after the date of your test and comments about computer-administered test centers must be received no later than two days after the date of your test. T E A and E T S employ stringent quality-control procedures in preparing test materials. However, if you wish to comment about a test question for any reason, notify the test center supervisor at your test center or send a letter to the address under "Test Question Inquiries" on page 10 within seven days of your test date. 32 TEST RESULTS AND SCORE REPORTING Test Scores and Passing Standards TEXES and EXCET test results are reported using a total test scaled score as follows: --Your results for each TEXES test are reported as a score in the range of 100-300, with a total test scaled score of 240 as the minimum passing score. --Your results for each EXCET test are reported as a score in the range of 0-100, with a total test scaled score of 70 as the minimum passing score. The multiple-choice section of the test is scored based on the number of questions you answered correctly. --No points are subtracted for questions answered incorrectly. --Even if you are uncertain about the answer to a question, it is better to guess than not to respond at all. Your total test scaled score shows how you performed on the test as a whole and whether you passed the test. Scaled scores are used to allow for comparison of scores on the same content-area test taken on different administration dates. Scaled scores also allow for comparison across test fields. Minimum passing standards for the tests were established by SBEC with input from committees of Texas educators. For both TEXES and EXCET tests, the minimum passing score represents the minimum level of competency required to be an entry-level educator in Texas public schools in the field in which you test. NOTE: Your test may include some questions that do not count toward your score. These questions are new test questions that are being tried out in actual test administra-tions in order to collect information about how they will perform under actual testing conditions. For more information about your scores, you may download Understanding Your Texas Educator Certification Program Test Scores from the E T S TEXES website at www.texes.ets.org. Reporting Your Test Scores Your score report will be available to you via your testing account on the E T S TEXES website. It will provide information about your passing status and other performance information. Also provided is an explanation of how to read your score report. (See "Test Scores and Passing Standards" above for information on the passing requirements for TEXES and EXCET tests.) Score reports for paper-based tests are posted by 5:00 p.m. Central time on the score reporting date. Score reports for computer-administered tests (except for B T L P T - Spanish) are posted weekly. Scores for B T L P T - Spanish are posted within 20 business days of the test date. (See "Score Reporting Dates" on page 33.) Scores are viewable for 90 days. NOTE: The unofficial end-of-test score report issued at computer-administered test centers is no longer offered. This report indicated the number of questions answered correctly and served as proof that an examinee had taken a TEXES computer-administered test. It did not indicate the examinee's scaled score or passing status and was not intended to be an official report of final scores. Your scores are automatically added to your certification file and made available to T E A and to your E P P (if applicable). Your score report is for your information only; do not submit it with your application for certification. Under no circumstances will E T S or T E A release your score information by phone, fax, e-mail, or in person. Paper score reports are no longer mailed. It is suggested that you print a copy of your online score report for your permanent records. NOTE: Application for certification does not proceed automatically based upon receipt of your scores by T E A. To apply for certification, you must go to the SBEC website at www.sbec.state.tx.us and follow the application for certification instructions. Delay of Test Scores Under some circumstances, scores may be delayed. --Scores for newly developed tests may be delayed in order to set passing scores. --Scores may be delayed due to problems with registration, failure to comply with the policies and procedures set forth in this Registration Bulletin, and/or with instructions given by test center personnel. --Scores will be delayed if there are problems with your payment. (See "Fees for Tests and Related Services" on pages 22-23 for more information.) --Your scores may be permanently voided if you are completing certification requirements through an E P P and you have not provided proof that you have approval to test (i.e., a T E A ID number from your E P P). (See "Approval to Test" on pages 7-8 and "Registration Steps" on pages 15-16 for more information.) 33 TEST RESULTS AND SCORE REPORTING (continued) Score Reporting Dates Paper-Based Tests The following information pertains to the November 8, 2008 test date for all tests offered: Score Reporting Date for Multiple-Choice Tests Only*: December 1, 2008 (*Scores for the new TEXES tests will be reported after passing scores are approved.) Score Reporting Date for Multiple-Choice and Written-Response Tests**: December 8, 2008 (**Written-response tests (English Language Arts and Reading 8-12 and Braille) The following information pertains to the January 31, 2009 test date for all tests offered: Score Reporting Date for Multiple-Choice Tests Only*: February 23, 2009 (*Scores for the new TEXES tests will be reported after passing scores are approved.) Score Reporting Date for Multiple-Choice and Written-Response Tests**: March 2, 2009 (**Written-response tests (English Language Arts and Reading 8-12 and Braille) The following information pertains to the April 4, 2009 test date for all tests offered: Score Reporting Date for Multiple-Choice Tests Only*: April 27, 2009 (*Scores for the new TEXES tests will be reported after passing scores are approved.) Score Reporting Date for Multiple-Choice and Written-Response Tests**: May 4, 2009 (**Written-response tests (English Language Arts and Reading 8-12 and Braille) The following information pertains to the June 27, 2009 test date for all tests offered: Score Reporting Date for Multiple-Choice Tests Only*: July 20, 2009 (*Scores for the new TEXES tests will be reported after passing scores are approved.) Score Reporting Date for Multiple-Choice and Written-Response Tests**: July 27, 2009 (**Written-response tests (English Language Arts and Reading 8-12 and Braille) The following information pertains to the August 29, 2009 test date for all tests offered: Score Reporting Date for Multiple-Choice Tests Only*: September 21, 2009 (*Scores for the new TEXES tests will be reported after passing scores are approved.) Score Reporting Date for Multiple-Choice and Written-Response Tests**: September 28,2009 (**Written-response tests (English Language Arts and Reading 8-12 and Braille) Computer-Administered Tests Score reports for computer-administered tests other than B T L P T - Spanish are posted weekly. If you are not able to view your score report within seven days of your test date, call Customer Service at 1-800-205-2626. Scores for B T L P T - Spanish will be posted within 20 business days of your test date. Scoring Services Score Verification Score verification is available for all paper-based TEXES and EXCET tests and for the written and spoken response sections only of the computer-administered B T L P T - Spanish (194) test. Score verification is not available for any other computer-administered TEXES tests. All multiple-choice answer sheets are scored by computer. If you accurately follow all directions and mark your answer sheet properly, the scoring process is virtually error free. However, if you wish, you may request a review of your paper answer sheet. All written, spoken, and brailled responses are scored according to standardized procedures. Scorers with relevant professional backgrounds are thoroughly trained and carefully monitored during scoring sessions. However, as with the multiple-choice responses, if you wish, you may have the written response section of TEXES English Language Arts and Reading 8-12 (131) or the brailled response section of TEXES Braille (183) verified. Score verification can be requested through the E T S TEXES website at www.texes.ets.org or by completing the Score Verification Request form and mailing it to the address on the form with the correct payment. Requests are limited to a one-time score verification of any one test. (See "Fees for Tests and Related Services" for information about payment.) The Score Verification Request form can be downloaded from the E T S TEXES website. Your request must be submitted online or postmarked within six months of the test administration date. The results of the score verification process for tests that consist only of multiple-choice responses will be available within two to three weeks after receipt of the request and payment. Results for tests that contain written, spoken, and/or brailled responses will be available within four to six weeks after receipt of the request and payment. In the event that the score verification process results in a change in your score, you will be notified, the score verification fee will be refunded, and a corrected score report will be posted to your E T S testing account and transmitted to T E A. If the original score is confirmed, you will be notified and your fee will not be refunded. Cancellation of Test Scores by You Paper-Based Tests After taking a test, if you decide that you do not want your scores reported, you may submit a request to cancel them. The TEXES or EXCET program will cancel your scores upon receipt of a completed Score Cancellation form. This form is available at test centers and can also be downloaded from the E T S TEXES website at www.texes.ets.org. Your Score Cancellation form must be received within five business days of the date on which you took the test. If you choose to cancel your scores, you will not receive a refund or credit of any kind. If you request that your scores be canceled, they will not be reported to you, to T E A, or to any E P P. Your scores will not be entered into any TEXES or EXCET records; therefore, after the cancellation of your scores, you will not be able to have your scores reported for any purpose. 34 TEST RESULTS AND SCORE REPORTING (continued) Computer-Administered Tests At the end of a computer-administered test, you are given the option of reporting or canceling your scores for that session. If you choose to have your scores reported, they will become part of your record and will be reported to you, to T E A, and to your E P P (if applicable). Once you choose to report your scores, they cannot be canceled. If you choose to cancel your scores, they will not be reported, and they cannot be reinstated. You will not receive a refund if you cancel your scores. If you would like to retake the test via computer after canceling your scores, you must wait at least 60 days. Cancellation of Test Scores by E T S and T E A E T S takes reasonable security precautions in developing and administering TEXES and EXCET tests and processing test scores with a view to ensuring that no test taker has an unfair advantage over other test takers. Accordingly, T E A reserves the right to withhold and ultimately cancel your scores due to misconduct and/or if T E A deems there is reason to question your scores' validity or legitimacy (including, but not limited to, a violation of the rules set forth in the current Registration Bulletin, including the "Test Center Procedures and Regulations" on pages 28-29, and the procedures communicated to you orally or in writing at the test center). In such cases, E T S will notify relevant parties of T E A's decision. Further action may be taken, including denying, revoking, and/or suspending a teaching credential or certificate. Other actions, as described in "Test Center Procedures and Regulations" may be taken as deemed appropriate by T E A and/or E T S. Testing Irregularities "Testing irregularities" refers to test administration problems that may affect an individual or groups of test takers, including without limitation, administrative errors (such as improper timing, improper seating, defective materials, and defective equipment); improper access to test content; and other disruptions of test administrations (such as natural disasters or other emergencies). When testing irregularities occur, E T S may decline to score the test or cancel the test score at T E A's discretion. When, in T E A's sole judgment it is appropriate to do so, test takers will be given the opportunity to take the test again as soon as reasonably possible without charge. Identification Discrepancies When, in E T S's judgment or the judgment of test center personnel, there is a discrepancy in a test taker's identification, the test taker may be dismissed from the test center, and/or E T S may decline to score that test or may cancel that test score. Misconduct When E T S or test center personnel find that there is misconduct in connection with a test, the test taker may be dismissed from the test center, and/or E T S may decline to score the test or withhold and ultimately cancel the test score. Misconduct includes, but is not limited to, noncompliance with the "Test Center Procedures and Regulations," on pages 28-29 of this Registration Bulletin. Invalid Scores E T S may also cancel scores if, in its judgment, there is substantial evidence that they are invalid for any other reason. Evidence of invalid scores may include, without limitation, discrepant handwriting, unusual answer patterns, and inconsistent performance on different parts of the test. Before canceling scores pursuant to this paragraph, E T S notifies the test taker in writing about its concerns, gives the test taker an opportunity to submit information that addresses E T S's concerns, considers any such information submitted, and offers the test taker a choice of options. The options include voluntary score cancellation, a free retest, or allowing T E A to make a decision whether to accept the scores. Confidentiality of Information All test materials are the property of E T S; however, T E A and E T S recognize your right to control the information about you that is stored by them. Their policies are designed to safeguard that information from unauthorized disclosure. Your score information is intended only for you and your E P P (if applicable). However, background information, as noted during the registration process, is reported to the state of Texas and some institutions. E T S will not release your score information at the request of institutions or agencies except: --for use in research studies, scoring, and statistical analyses approved by T E A and that preserve your anonymity --when information is required under compulsion of legal processes (Your score record and the documents you completed that are retained at E T S may be released to third parties, e.g., government agencies, parties to a lawsuit, etc., if requested pursuant to a subpoena.) 35 TEST RESULTS AND SCORE REPORTING (continued) --Under the Higher Education Act Title II section 207 of 1998, the U.S. Department of Education requires all states that require testing for licensure to provide that agency with annual performance data for students completing their state-approved teacher preparation programs. If you complete your preparation program in a given cohort year, your preparing institution will collect and forward your score information to the state for inclusion in the federally mandated educator prepa-ration performance report. The report will contain aggregate data only and will not include any information that identifies examinees. Note that whenever E T S has confirmed that you have submitted a TEXES or EXCET score directly to an educational institution, agency, or district in satisfaction of one of its requirements, E T S will respond to requests for score verification from that recipient. 36 2008-09 TEXES/EXCET TEST DATES, REGISTRATION DEADLINES, AND SCORE REPORTING DATES Paper-Based Tests The following information pertains to the November 8,2008 test date for all tests offered: Regular Registration Deadline: October 10, 2008 Late Registration Deadline: October 17, 2008 Emergency Registration Deadline: October 31, 2008 Score Reporting Date for Multiple-Choice Tests Only*: December 1, 2008 (*Scores for the new TEXES tests will be reported after passing scores are approved.) Score Reporting Date for Multiple-Choice and Written-Response Tests**: December 8, 2008 (**Written-response tests (English Language Arts and Reading 8-12 and Braille) The following information pertains to the January 31, 2009 test date for all tests offered: Regular Registration Deadline: January 2, 2009 Late Registration Deadline: January 9, 2009 Emergency Registration Deadline: January 23, 2009 Score Reporting Date for Multiple-Choice Tests Only*: February 23, 2009 (*Scores for the new TEXES tests will be reported after passing scores are approved.) Score Reporting Date for Multiple-Choice and Written-Response Tests**: March 2, 2009 (**Written-response tests (English Language Arts and Reading 8-12 and Braille) The following information pertains to the April 4, 2009 test date for all tests offered: Regular Registration Deadline: March 6, 2009 Late Registration Deadline: March 13, 2009 Emergency Registration Deadline: March 27, 2009 Score Reporting Date for Multiple-Choice Tests Only*: April 27, 2009 (*Scores for the new TEXES tests will be reported after passing scores are approved.) Score Reporting Date for Multiple-Choice and Written-Response Tests**: May 4, 2009 (**Written-response tests (English Language Arts and Reading 8-12 and Braille) The following information pertains to the June 27, 2009 test date for all tests offered: Regular Registration Deadline: May 29, 2009 Late Registration Deadline: June 5, 2009 Emergency Registration Deadline: June 19, 2009 Score Reporting Date for Multiple-Choice Tests Only*: July 20, 2009 (*Scores for the new TEXES tests will be reported after passing scores are approved.) Score Reporting Date for Multiple-Choice and Written-Response Tests**: July 27, 2009 (**Written-response tests (English Language Arts and Reading 8-12 and Braille) The following information pertains to the August 29, 2009 test date for all tests offered: Regular Registration Deadline: July 31, 2009 Late Registration Deadline: August 7, 2009 Emergency Registration Deadline: August 21, 2009 Score Reporting Date for Multiple-Choice Tests Only*: September 21, 2009 (*Scores for the new TEXES tests will be reported after passing scores are approved.) Score Reporting Date for Multiple-Choice and Written-Response Tests**: September 28,2009 (**Written-response tests (English Language Arts and Reading 8-12 and Braille) NOTE: Monday testing is on the Monday following the regular administration. (See page 22 for information about Monday testing.) All requests for Monday testing and nonstandard testing accommodations should be submitted as early as possible. Because of space, staff, and time constraints, there can be no assurance that requests received after the regular registration deadline can be accommodated. Computer-Administered Tests Test Dates: Computer administered tests other than B T L P T - Spanish are administered multiple times per month. B T L P T - Spanish is administered periodically during one-week administration windows. Test schedules are available in the online registration system on the E T S TEXES website at www.texes.ets.org. If you register by phone, available dates will be provided to you. All seating is on a space-available basis. Registration Deadlines: Registration must be completed at least four business days before the test date. Score Reporting: Score reports for computer-administered tests other than B T L P T - Spanish are posted weekly. Scores for B T L P T - Spanish are posted within 20 business days of the test date.