In 2020, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) implemented new requirements on candidates and teacher certification programs. These requirements are meant to increase the success rates for content test takers and reduce the number of test attempts by candidates when they are not fully prepared.

Educator Preparation Programs now have the responsibility to confirm a candidate is ready to take the TExES Content Exam in their certification area. After two failed attempts by a candidate, certification programs are negatively assessed by TEA.

Certification Programs are responding to this by requiring proof of test preparedness or only allowing one-time test permission.  Texas teacher candidates must first enroll in an Educator Preparation Program before the candidate can receive TExES test permission.

TEA also wants to provide a clearer path for candidates with low GPA scores or too few hours in their desired teaching subject to be able to gain entrance to a certification program.  PACT provides a partial solution.

TEA states…

The law requires applicants to take and pass a PACT for admission into an EPP in the following cases:

  • If the applicant has a GPA below a 2.5 (overall or in their last 60 credit hours) or
  • If the applicant has not completed at least 12 semester credit hours in the subject area of the certificate the applicant is seeking (15 hours if seeking certification in math or science above 7th grade).
  • A PACT is not required for prospective teachers who meet the 2.5 GPA and have completed a minimum of either 12 or 15 semester credit hours of coursework. Educator preparation programs may have local policies that require applicants to pass a PACT as a requirement for admission, but those policies are local decisions.  When considering a preparation program, applicants should ask that program whether the program requires PACT.  

At an alternative teacher certification program like Teachworthy, PACT is only required according to the TEA requirements or if multiple previous PACT attempts have been unsuccessful by the candidate.

PACT exams are content only and exclude questions on pedagogy.  They are meant to confirm a candidate has enough content knowledge to successfully teach their desired certification subject.  A positive PACT result, plus the pedagogy training provided by the certification program, should produce successful TExES exam results.

Teachworthy’s process includes:

Step 1: Apply for Free to an alternative teacher certification

Submit your official transcripts for your entire bachelor degree.  Receive a detailed certification plan that describes the steps to certification and the investment required to complete the process.

Step 2: Possibly PACT Test

You are required by TEA to PACT Test if your GPA is below a 2.5 or you have less than 12 credit hours in the content area you want to teach (15 credits are required for Math or Science). Additionally, Teachworthy may require a PACT test on specific content areas. Your Program Advisor can provide you with information before formal admission.

Step 3: Enroll for $195

With a GPA of 2.5 (overall or in your last 60 hours), the credit hours required for your content area and your submission of your official transcript, you can officially enrol.

If you were required to PACT Test, submit your passing test scores along with your official transcript to officially enroll.

Step 4: TExES Content Test

In order to ensure you are successful when you content test, Teachworthy has established a special relationship with Certify Teacher to prepare you at a 50% discount.  Once you demonstrate mastery on the practice exam in your content area, you’ll be granted one-time test permission.  Once you successfully pass the content test(s) for your certification area, you’ll be ready to start training.

Step 5: Train as a Texas Teacher

You’ll complete 9+ online modules to prepare you for the classroom (45-90 days to complete). At this point you’ll also start paying the $300 curriculum fee in six installments of $50 on a credit card.  You’ll also complete 30 hours of Field-Based Observations.  15 of these can be done by video.  You’ll get to attend the award-winning Capturing Kids’ Hearts 2-day live training for free (normally $700).

Step 6: Teach

You’ll complete either a 2-semester Internship with full pay and benefits or a 1-semester Clinical assignment with no pay.  Your program fee of $4,005 is due at this step paid monthly ($440 per month) if you are on an Intern Certificate only once you start teaching at full pay and benefits. 

You’ll prepare for and pass the PPR exam.  You’ll use Certify Teacher again to reach mastery on the practice exam and then be granted one-time test permission.  Read: What can I expect in my first year of teaching?

After these steps are complete and all program fees have been paid, you’ll be ready for us to recommend you for your standard certificate.  You’ll now be a fully certified teacher!

Teachworthy provides you with a Program Advisor who is with you throughout this entire process.  They are your advocate and encouragement.

What makes Teachworthy different?

  1. It’s the most affordable path to a teaching job and career. – With no application fee, an enrollment fee of $195, a $300 curriculum fee, and a program fee of $4,005 (paid monthly of $440), your journey to certification is attainable. See Pricing.
  2. It’s accessible anywhere – As an online program, training is self-paced, available 24/7/365.
  3. Capturing Kids’ Hearts is included. – This training event normally costs school districts $700 to send you to, but through Teachworthy, it’s part of your enrollment fee. You’ll learn how to engage all children, create a self-managing classroom and get the best from every student incorporated into the teacher certification cost.
  4. Personalized support – We are committed to developing tomorrow’s teachers today. To do that, we offer personalized support through our program advisers. This means you always have someone to talk to and get advice every step of the way.