Required Assessment Supports

Content Exams

Preservice teachers will be considered to have met the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s content knowledge requirement if they have a grade point average of 3.0 or higher in the subject area (typically the major). UW-Madison Content Knowledge Assessment Policy

Teacher candidates whose grade point average is less than 3.0 will be required to achieve a passing score on the appropriate content knowledge exam. Details here: Praxis II: Subject Assessments/Specialty Area Tests.

World Language Education students must meet an ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview requirement and must take and pass the ACTFL Writing Proficiency Test (WPT).

WFORT

The Mary T. Kellner Teacher Education Center’s Assessment Support Team provides support services for teacher candidates in Elementary Education programs as they prepare to take the Wisconsin Foundations of Reading Test (WFoRT).

For teacher candidates preparing to take the WFoRT assessment, we provide access to a WFoRT Canvas Page designed to complement learning in literacy methods courses. The page is organized by the 11 objectives assessed on the FoRT and includes quizzes for students to check their understanding. An additional module includes supplemental resources and support for navigating test anxiety. Announcements are made to the Canvas page about virtual drop-in sessions and how to contact someone for additional support related to applying for testing accommodations, reviewing specific material/test-taking strategies, and navigating retakes.

In addition to the Canvas page, a free, self-paced course designed by literacy instructors across the University of Wisconsin Systems is available to teacher candidates at the following URL for further studying: https://uws-ce.instructure.com/enroll/L9RACF

For questions about the FoRT. to request to be added to our WFoRT Canvas Page, or for additional test preparation support, please contact Aloura Pearson at apearson2@wisc.edu.

Performance Assessment

The Mary T. Kellner Teacher Education Center’s Assessment Support Team provides robust support services to preservice teachers in all programs who are completing the performance assessment required for all teacher licenses. The team’s main goal is to help preservice teachers successfully navigate this assessment while keeping their teaching and work with P-12 students as the central focus.

The Performance Assessment is an opportunity for each preservice teacher to demonstrate their proficiency in the UW-Madison Teacher Education Performance Standards. Up until summer 2020, the standardized edTPA, offered by Pearson, was the required performance assessment for all educators prepared in the state of Wisconsin. Beginning in Fall 2020, UW-Madison is transitioning to a more individualized approach; this new assessment is embedded within our programs and draws upon preservice teachers' individual teaching and learning experiences throughout their time in their program. The assessment will be scored by faculty and staff in the individual teacher education programs, with assistance from the Mary T. Kellner Teacher Education Center.

For students working on their Performance Assessment, we provide regular virtual drop-in sessions. These drop-in sessions are designed to provide a supportive space for preservice teachers to work with their peers and the Mary T. Kellner Teacher Education Center’s Assessment Support Team. In this space, preservice teachers can ask questions, talk through question prompts and their writing, and re-center their practice through reflective questions asked by the team. We also offer the ability to meet with us individually by appointment as needed to meet individual needs and schedules with limitations.