Pennsylvania Educator Certification Tests (PECT)

Pennsylvania Educator Certification Tests (PECT)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ) Page 1 of 2

PECT Field Test Web site to register:

What is the PECT? The new Pennsylvania Educator Certification Tests (PECT) will be a twenty-first-century program featuring a new generation of technologically advanced and customized assessments. The purpose of the PECT will be to assess the knowledge and skills of prospective Pennsylvania public school educators. The PECT program will help the Bureau of School Leadership and Teacher Quality meet its goal of ensuring that candidates have the knowledge and skills needed to perform the job of an educator in Pennsylvania public schools.

The PECT will be aligned with state and national standards for educator preparation and with state standards for the PreK?12 student curriculum (Pennsylvania Program Framework Guidelines).

Who is the test contractor and when will these tests be launched? The Pennsylvania Department of Education has contracted with the Evaluation Systems group of Pearson to assist in the development and administration of the tests. The first administration of the new tests is planned for April 2012.

What tests are being developed? The PECT were developed in alignment with Pennsylvania regulations and content standards for teachers and is composed of the following tests:

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Pre-service Academic Performance Assessment (PAPA)

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PreK?4

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Special Education PreK?8

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Special Education 7?12

What is field testing? Field testing is designed to collect information about the test items. All tests include selectedresponse questions, and the Pre-service Academic Performance Assessment also includes written constructed-response assignments.

How long will a field test take? A field test form will take about two hours to complete. Each participant is eligible for compensation for a maximum of two tests per field.

What are the benefits of participating? ? Receive $50 check for every test taken (up to two tests per field). ? Receive a $100 Penguin Books gift code for each field test taken (up to two tests per field). ? Get a sneak peek into what may actually appear on the new PECT tests before it officially launches. ? Receive feedback on performance. At the conclusion of the PECT field-test testing session; field test participants will be able to see, on-screen, the percent of the selectedresponse test items answered correctly. Please note: The "on-screen percent correct" is not an indication of future performance if an individual registers to take this PECT assessment to achieve Pennsylvania Department of Education teacher certification. ? Provide input into the tests.

Pennsylvania Educator Certification Tests (PECT)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ) Page 2 of 2

? Gauge subject matter knowledge and gain practical testing experience.

How will I receive my incentive? To receive a check, you will be required to fill out a PECT Field Test Incentive Form and submit it by mail. You will receive your check approximately 4-6 weeks after receipt of a properly completed form and verification of your participation in the field test. All Penguin Books coupons will be delivered by e-mail, approximately 4 weeks after taking a field test (pending verification of your participation), will be valid for one shopping session and will expire 60 days from the date of issue.

How do I register for a PECT field test? There is no cost for you to take a field test. Please register online. Select create a new web account in order to create your personal profile. Then, you will be able to register for a PECT field test.

Who is eligible to take a PECT field test?

You are eligible if you are:

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seeking admission to a Pennsylvania educator preparation program

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currently enrolled in an educator preparation program (including graduate students)

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a beginning teacher with 1-3 years teaching experience

Will I receive score information? Because information from the field tests will be used to evaluate test questions for the PECT program, actual score information will not be provided. Field test results will be kept confidential.

How are the tests developed? The PECT has been developed by the most experienced company in standards-based teacher certification testing. Each of the PECT tests has been carefully developed using the rigorous process described on our PECT program Web site: . What if I need cancel my appointment? If you are unable to take your test at the date, time, and location for which you registered, or if you are unable to attend any test session, please log in to your Pearson VUE account to cancel your session. You must cancel at least 24 hours in advance. Evaluation Systems group of Pearson is charged for no-shows and cancellations less than 24 hours in advance of your scheduled test, so please make every effort to reschedule or cancel. Thank you.

Cameras, cell phones, and other communication devices are NOT permitted in the testing room.

What if I have additional questions? Please contact us via email at EvaluationSystemsCRG@.

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