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Remediation Resources

Why does LeTourneau University require practice exams and what happens if I need remediation?

LeTourneau University offers practice test opportunities to students so that when the state exam is attempted at a cost of $120 that success is more likely.  The practice tests are purchased from the state and are similar to the released TAKS test that the state offers to parents and teachers working with students in the public schools.  Although the questions asked on the practice tests will not be on the state exams, the format and approach will be extremely similar.  We require 80% correctness to be approved for the state exam and the state requires approximately 70% for passing so some leeway is allowed for the new testing experience.

LeTourneau students sometimes meet challenges with the practice tests for several reasons including the following:

  • 1. Unfamiliarity with application level testing
  • 2. Rusty in skills gained in previous educational experiences
  • 3. "Teaching of reading" as a focus for EC-6 and 4-8 candidates
  • 4. Broadness and depth of the knowledge required for the test

LeTourneau offers the following study suggestions and helps to assist students as they begin the process of testing and if success is not achieved in the practice test opportunity.

Content Exams

For all programs: The degree you are seeking or have already achieved has provided you the knowledge in specific subject areas for your teacher certification content exam.  You may need to brush up on your skills or deepen your knowledge base.  The format of the practice tests and the state exams is application level.  You must know your formulas and events and grammatical rules and periodic tables but rarely do the questions ask you for a simple answer.  You instead will be asked to use that knowledge to determine a solution or response.  The best preparation for the test is to make sure you are current in your required knowledge based on your certification level and your subject area or areas.  You will find here information that may prove helpful in some areas:

PPR Exams

For all programs: The program in which you are enrolled is designed to teach the “how” of teaching which is the main focus for the PPR exam.  PPR stands for Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities.  Each of your courses has focused on a couple of specified competencies so that by the time you conclude your program, you have addressed all of the thirteen competencies for the PPR.  Application is the level of expectation for this exam and often questions will be presented based on what a new teacher would do in planning, implementing, or assessing the instructional concern presented.  PPR also addresses parent and colleague connections as these are very much a part of how to be a teacher. Your best study resources for this are these textbooks, at least one of which you have received in your coursework:

  • Interactive Study Guide for the TExES Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities Tests by Nancy J. Hadley and Marilyn J. Eisenwine (ISBN# 978-0-205-50354-4)
  • Becoming anEC-4 Teacher in Texas by Janice L. Nath and Myrna D. Cohen (ISBN # 0-534-60300-9)
  • Becoming a Middle School or High School Teacher in Texas by Janice L. Nath and Myrna D. Cohen (ISBN #0-534-63801-5)

Remediation Resources

Below are some additional remediation resources for your benefit:

Resources for Various Content Exams

Students share resources they have found to be especially helpful in their test preparation.  The two following have been highly recommended by students who felt the books were worthy of purchase:

  • Certify Teacher: Preparation Software for Educator Certification: www.CertifyTeacher.com
  • Elementary: www.ultimatetexesguide.com
  • 4-8 Generalist: McGraw-Hill’s GED Short Course
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    Computer Links for Social Studies and Texas History Review

    The state Social Studies and Texas History exams can be extremely difficult for those choosing this area of certification.  Below are some helpful links in these areas to improve the chances of student success.

     

    Links are available for reviewing general social studies areas:

    The following links are for Texas history review: