In November, I registered for the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE) program. This is an alternative certification program that the State of Missouri (and about 7 others) allow candidates to complete to get their teacher certification. They offer certification in many areas and I enrolled, naturally, in the History program.
The History program consists of three exams. Two content area exams--US History and World History, and one education based exam or Principles of Teaching and Knowledge (PTK). Because there are three tests I have 18 months to complete the program. However, I don't plan on taking that long.
I registered to take the US History exam the last Friday of my winter break (January 4). Though most participants take the PTK exam first, I felt that US History was my strong suit and would give me the advantage of experiencing the ABCTE exam style with familiar material.
First let me say that I like the process and experience so much better on these exams than I did the PRAXIS. The registration process on the day of the test was smooth, you started as soon as you were ready and were able to leave as soon as you are finished. The most important difference was that you find out your score immediately!!
Not that I didn't spoil it in the title of this post, but I passed. And with flying colors--or the "distinguished" designation that ABCTE gives.
Yay me! Not resting on my laurels, I am registered to take the World History exam on the last Friday of Spring Break (3/22).
