Board briefed on re‑normed special‑education Praxis test and lower recommended cut score

Department staff reported to the board that the Praxis special‑education test has been re‑normed and recommended the board adopt the new Praxis test (identified in the meeting as the replacement for the prior special‑education exam) and its suggested passing score.

Dr. Denise Peacock explained the new test aligns with updated Council for Exceptional Children standards and noted differences between the old and new instruments, including a change to the recommended cut score. She said the department traditionally waits a year after a new test’s introduction to review other states’ experience before formal adoption; for this item staff presented the second‑year recommended score.

Peacock shared national adoption data: 17 states plus the District of Columbia used the suggested standard-setting recommendation when the new test took effect in September; 12 states adopted the standard‑setting suggested score, two states elected to use a score one standard deviation lower and three adopted a higher threshold. Peacock told the board that among the earliest takers (through January) 1,315 people had taken the new test and 1,249 passed, a pass rate the department calculated as roughly 94.99 percent.

Board members asked whether a lower numeric cut score on a new test means the test itself is easier. Peacock emphasized the comparison is not apples‑to‑apples: “it's an apples to oranges scenario. It's 2 different tests,” she said, adding that educators who set the standard base their recommendation on current standards and expert review of items and statistical studies.

If the board approves the change staff said the new Praxis test and score would take effect Sept. 1 under the department’s usual implementation timetable.