FARMINGTON – Recent University of Maine at Farmington graduate McKayla Marois learned a lot while on her path to becoming a certified teacher. As a freshman and sophomore, Marois was dead set on the profession. She had the enthusiasm, the dedication and the grade point average that it took to become an educator, along with the extra dose of creativity to make her excel in the field. But when she got the results of her Praxis exam- a state-required test that all aspiring educators have to take before embarking on their practicum- Marois was floored.
“I failed by two points,” she said. “I was learning about inclusive education and multiple intelligences, but taking a test that was making students follow a straight and narrow line and trying to make teachers fit into this box.”
Marois took the Praxis two more times- her results dipping slightly lower each time. The final time she took it she failed by six points, and began facing the fact that she might not be able to live out her dream of becoming a teacher. While at UMF, education had become Marois’ steady rhythm. While attending a conference on higher education, Marois met a speaker who encouraged her to not give up just because of the Praxis.
“He told me I didn’t have to be in the classroom to make changes with education,” Marois said.
When she got back to campus, Marois and her advisor began the process of designing a major. The end result was “Inclusive Education and Policy” with concentrations in Leadership and the Creative Arts, which Marois just graduated with on her diploma. Marois’ studies gained her recognition by the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges, an internship with Educate Maine, and a committee seat on educational policy at the state level. The seat was offered to her by Maine Department of Education commissioner Pender Makin. The committee hopes to have a newly revised, inclusive certification process to present to the commissioner later this year.
“So much of teaching is emotional. It’s learning 80 names, or staying up until 10 p.m. because you have a kid on your mind who is going to have a rough day the next day. Testing is not everything. It’s content based, which is only 20 percent of teaching,” Marois said.
Absolutely, “testing is not everything”. Time to revamp, recreate and re-envision our education system. Time to think outside of the box, beginning with how future teachers are trained.
So someone couldn’t pass a test that thousands have taken and now we see a need for change to suit umf students that don’t meet the standards
Wow, she can’t pass the test so the test has to change! Sounds like more of an entitlement issue to me, maybe she should study more.
This entire piece is spot on–Ms Marois will do incredible things–just a phenomenal role model and young educator.
Yes, I believe that we should be trained, but all these tests don’t make sense. I spent most of my time studying for a test that pretty much has nothing to do with what I teach
When I should be spending that time learning or preparing my self so what I actually teach.
I passed the two Content Test for education in Texas. However, the PPR is a test that is for a perfect class in a perfect world. However, education is not perfect and every student is different (in and out of class). So why have a test that is the total opposite of the students and situations that will occur in the school district. I did the same as you. My score has been close. I’m on my 5th and final try. I love being a teacher/coach. My mom taught for 38yrs, so it’s all I know. I pray I pass the final time I take it. However, if I don’t, I won’t be able to teach. I can’t see doing anything else.
For those making remarks about her not passing the Praxis. The Praxis really doesn’t tell if someone would make a good teacher. I took the science portion twice. Missed by one point the first time. Passed the second time. Then the state lowered the passing score which meant I passed it both times. Just more hoops to jump through and spending 75.00 each time. I am retired after 33 years of teaching. Much time is wasted on testing teachers and students. Most of it worthless waste of time and money.
I am in support of an assessment for those wishing to be teachers as a measure of basic knowledge. Teaching is a profession that requires a solid skillset in a variety of areas depending on grade level and content. I’m not sure a computerized multiple-choice test should be the only format to express this knowledge. I would be open to having other types of opportunities to express this knowledge rather than just a set test that has no clear format of content or clear scoring.
I am experiencing the same situation. I have my certification, but my state is asking for an additional certification. I have taken three times. The pressure whether I am capable of teaching wonders in my mind. The pressure of the district does not help either. I love teaching!!! I do not think that the state should force educators to take additional exams. An exam does not define the passion to educate the future.
I have has to give up on my dream of being a teacher. I had taken Pearson testing questions 12 times over a span of 4 years, fell into a depression, got tested for slow comprehension whichinis a huge benefit because it’s a great ice breaker for building relationships with students who many suffer with similar learning difficulties. I wish that my State and Michigan would change its policy for providing teachers with accurate tools to pass the test. If they are going to preach teach to the test for students they should do the same thing for teachers
I am just waiting for the Assembly Bill 2485 to pass so we can start our teaching programs and not have to worry about all these tests.
These tests does not validate who we as a person or as a teacher.
We are not robots.
You go Mario’s!!!
I believe the state has waived the praxis test requirement for teaching certification until the end of June. Once you are certified, you will not have to take the test. Get your paperwork in asap.