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Test Requirements for Certification: Middle Grades Education**
Undergraduate Programs
- Pass PAPA Basic Skills (for candidacy)
- At the end of the semester prior to Student Teaching, students must take the: PA Grades 4-8 Core Assessment (Pedagogy, English/SS and Math/Science) Test 5152. We are not requiring that students pass this test in order to student teach, however. The Core Assessment must be passed to gain a Middle Level certificate (from the Pennsylvania Department of Education - PDE) and for a concentration test(s) to count towards certification.
- Prior to applying for certification from PDE – Students should take the Praxis II Middle Level 4-8 Subject Concentration Area tests (1 or 2) for English Language Arts (Test 5156) or Math (Test 5158) or or Science (Test 5159) depending on their program concentration areas. These tests will permit students to teach grades 7 and 8 in their concentration areas. Students can take the test for one of their two concentrations or the tests for both of their concentrations. They have to take at least one. It’s suggested that students take the concentration area test(s) during or at the end of their student teaching semester.
Graduate Programs
- Admissions: Applicants must submit score reports demostrating a passing score on the Praxis II Middle Level Subject Concentration Areas Test for English Language Arts 4-8 (Test 5156) or Math 4-8 (5158) or Science (5159).
- At the end of the semester prior to Student Teaching, students must take the: PA Grades 4-8 Core Assessment (Pedagogy, English/SS and Math/Science) Test 5152. We are not requiring that students pass this test to student teach, however. The Core Assessment must be passed to gain a Middle Level certificate (from the Pennsylvania Department of Education) and for a concentration test(s) to count towards certification.
- Prior to applying for certification from PDE (and if desired), students can take their 2nd concentration area test above for English Language Arts, Math or Science. Students who choose not to take and pass the test for their 2nd concentration cannot gain certification in this area. Concentration tests will permit students to teach grades 7 and 8.
**Testing requirements are periodically revised. Students are held to the state requirements in place at the time of their application for certification.
