Responding to the Preprofessional Skills Test

Since 1984, passing scores on the Preprofessional Skills Tests (PPST) have been required for entry into teacher education programs at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). College of education faculty, concerned because the majority of their population has traditionally been older, Hispanic students, developed a pre-PPST screening and advising program as part of the required Orientation to Education course. The core of the program consists of reading and math screening tests tied conceptually to the PPST and administered at voluntary testing sessions. The tests predict PPST scores with 96 percent accuracy. Students falling below a validated cut off score are referred to remedial or refresher work, including successful PPST-preparation workshops. PPST pass rates of UTEP students have consistently been at or above the overall state average, with minority enrollment in the college maintaining constant over time. These screening tests and variations of the UTEP program are used in over 70 institutions, and a Texas-wide Network on Teacher Competency Testing has been developed to share ideas about test-preparation and program improvement. (Author/JD)