Colorado state law mandates that all licensure candidates must demonstrate their mastery of content within the area of their license. The Adams State University School of Education employs rigorous assessment measures before students embark on their student teaching journey to ensure that program completers are eligible for licensure and well-prepared for full-time teaching roles.

The methods for validating content mastery differ based on the type of licensure sought:

For Elementary Candidates:

There are two options available for demonstrating content mastery:

 Option 1:

Attain passing scores on the following standardized examinations:

  • PRAXIS 5205 (159)
  • PRAXIS 5901 series (as specified below)
    • Mathematics 5903 (157) or 5003 (same exam, different number)
    • Social Studies 5904 (155) or 5004 (same exam, different number)
    • Science 5905 (159) or 5005 (same exam, different number)

Option 2:

Create and submit a Multiple Measures of Content Competency Portfolio to the Colorado Department of Education (CDE). This choice entails assembling a portfolio of courses completed in specific content areas, each with a grade of B- or higher. Candidates must also include evidence and artifacts from these courses and other relevant activities that showcase their content mastery. It’s important to note that this option may be used in conjunction with Praxis exams and necessitates a comprehensive review by CDE staff before the content mastery requirement is considered met. The portfolio submission process is limited by the state to 1,000 candidates annually and demands more time than Praxis exams. It is the sole responsibility of the candidate to coordinate directly with CDE for portfolio submission and follow-up. Consequently, the Adams State University School of Education strongly advises candidates to consider Option 1 as the primary route for fulfilling content mastery requirements and to resort to multiple measures of content competency as a last resort.

For Secondary and K-12 Candidates:

There are two options available for demonstrating content mastery:

Option 1:

Obtain passing scores on state-approved Praxis exams for the designated content/licensure area.

  • Art: Content and Analysis 5135 (158)
  • Business Education 5101 (154)
  • English Language Arts 5038 (167)
  • General Science 5436 (141)
  • Mathematics 5165 (159)
  • Middle School Mathematics 5164 (157)
  • Music 5113 (161)
  • Physical Education 5091 (148)
  • Social Studies 5081 (150)

 

Option 2:

Provide evidence of having completed 24 credit hours in the content area as part of a degree program, with grades of B or higher in all relevant courses. Detailed course topics for each license can be found on the Colorado Department of Education’s Endorsement Requirement website. Undergraduate candidates opting for this route should submit a copy of the appropriate endorsement worksheet that outlines the courses completed and their respective grades to the School of Education Program Coordinator/Student Adviser no later than the start of the senior block semester. The submission should also include a copy of the candidate’s transcripts with grades.Graduate candidates may use credits from their Bachelor’s degree if the major aligns to the licensure area they are seeking and a transcript review may be completed as part of the program admission process to determine that content mastery has been met.

For Special Education Candidates:

Two options are available for demonstrating content mastery:

Option 1:

Attain passing scores on the following standardized examinations:

  • PRAXIS 5205 Teaching Reading (159)
  • PRAXIS 5901 series (as specified below)
    • Mathematics 5903 (157) or 5003 (same exam, different number)
    • Social Studies 5904 (155) or 5004 (same exam, different number)
    • Science 5905 (159) or 5005 (same exam, different number)
  • Praxis 5354 Special Education Core Knowledge and Applications (151)

Option 2:

Create and submit a Multiple Measures of Content Competency Portfolio to the Colorado Department of Education (CDE). This choice entails assembling a portfolio of courses completed in specific content areas, each with a grade of B- or higher. Candidates must also include evidence and artifacts from these courses and other relevant activities that showcase their content mastery. It’s important to note that this option may be used in conjunction with Praxis exams and necessitates a comprehensive review by CDE staff before the content mastery requirement is considered met. The portfolio submission process is limited by the state to 1,000 candidates annually and demands more time than Praxis exams. It is the sole responsibility of the candidate to coordinate directly with CDE for portfolio submission and follow-up. Consequently, the Adams State University School of Education strongly advises candidates to consider Option 1 as the primary route for fulfilling content mastery requirements and to resort to multiple measures of content competency as a last resort.

This policy reflects the commitment of Adams State University School of Education to ensure that all licensure candidates possess the required content mastery to excel in their teaching careers, as mandated by Colorado state law.

 

More information and to register for an exam: ets.org/praxis

The recipient codes are: Praxis: RA4001