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Subject Areas
Demonstrating knowledge of teaching subjects of interest.
All candidates who complete their educator preparation programs in a Wisconsin college/university or alternative program are required to complete and pass subject area tests for their licensure area to qualify for a Wisconsin educator license. There is no waiver for the subject area test requirement for each candidate’s licensure area.
Options
Praxis II Tests
Praxis II content knowledge tests are required for all teaching and pupil services candidates (except School Social Worker) enrolled in Wisconsin educator preparation programs in any subject other than world languages.
A complete listing of Wisconsin-approved subject area tests can be found on the ETS Website or call 1-800-772-9476.
American Council on Teaching Foreign Languages (ACTFL)
ACTFL World Language Tests are required for all world language teacher candidates. Wisconsin requires both the Oral Proficiency interview (OPI-OPIc) and Writing Proficiency Test (WPT). The qualifying score for licensure in Wisconsin on both tests are “Intermediate High”.
To learn more about Wisconsin-approved world language assessments, go to the LTI Website.
Relevant Majors and Classes
For Elementary, Art, Theater, Foreign Language (EA/A and EC/A) certifiers
Students with a 3.0 or higher GPA in the major of their license area are waived from taking Praxis subtest and ACTFL for content areas.
For Secondary (MC/EA) certifiers
In order to be waived from taking Praxis subtest, students in MC/EA certification program need:
- a 3.0 or higher GPA in their overall GPA (Beloit College has a general education requirement in place which includes requirement for math, science, social studies and language arts related courses); and
- a B or higher in selected education classes from their education major to further demonstrate their mastery in social studies, math, science and language arts (including B or higher for education methods classes on math, science, social studies or language arts teaching, and an average of B or higher for all four education foundations classes).
Wisconsin Foundations of Reading
The following test only applies to Elementary Certifiers.
Applicants for initial licensure as an elementary teacher (grades K-5, EC, EC-MC, MC-EA), a special education teacher, a reading teacher, or reading specialist must receive a passing score of 240 or higher on the Wisconsin Foundations of Reading Test. Any licensed teacher wanting to add one or more of these areas to their license must also pass the test.