Texas Educator Certification Examination Program
Texas Educator Certification Examination Program
Texas Educator Certification Examination Program

Exam Development Process

The development process may include the following activities:

Framework Development

Exam frameworks—sets of competencies that define the content of each examination—are prepared for fields under development. The competencies are broad statements of knowledge and skills that are important for performing the job of an educator in Texas public schools. The draft frameworks are based on sources including the Texas educator and student standards for each field, as well as national standards. The draft frameworks are reviewed and approved by committees of Texas public school educators and educator preparation program faculty. The Framework Review Conference is typically a one-day meeting.

Content Validation Survey

The purpose of the content validation survey is to ensure that the competencies identified for each field represent important aspects of the field and are consistent with the practice of Texas public school educators. Public school educators throughout Texas and faculty in educator preparation programs are asked to participate in the survey.

Item Development and Review

Examination questions are prepared based on the validated frameworks and other relevant materials obtained from Texas educators. Draft questions are reviewed, revised, and approved by Content Advisory Committees composed of Texas public school educators and educator preparation faculty. The Item Review Conference is typically a one- to- two-day meeting.

Pilot Testing

Examination questions are pilot tested to gather information about their quality and technical characteristics. The pilot test provides teacher candidates and other individuals at Texas institutions the opportunity to prepare for future examinations.

Marker Selection

Content Advisory Committee members convene to review and approve exemplary responses to constructed-response questions from a pilot test. These responses will serve as "score-point markers" for training scorers to accurately score the responses submitted by candidates. The Marker Selection Meeting is typically a one-day meeting.

Standard Setting

At this meeting, educators participate in a process of making judgments and recommendations regarding a passing score for the exam to the Texas Commissioner of Education. The Standard Setting meeting is typically a one-day meeting.

Equity Assurance Panel

Educators convene to review draft examination materials, including frameworks and items, for bias prevention and the inclusion of diversity. These are typically one- or two-day meetings held just before the Content Advisory Committee meetings.

Examination Administration

The schedule and other information for Texas Educator Certification Examination Program exam administrations can be found on the program website at www.tx.nesinc.com Link opens in a new window..

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