School of Education
Educational Studies Department (EDS) Benchmark Assessments
The WI Department of Public Instruction (DPI) is specific in its requirements about the content of both general education and professional education. DPI requires teacher education candidates to complete a variety of benchmark assessments (tests) detailed below. Teacher candidates must have evidence of completion of all benchmark assessments except for the edTPA in order to be approved for student teaching.
The WI State Superintendent of Public Instruction determines passing scores. Therefore, prospective teacher education candidates should work closely with an advisor from the outset of their studies at the university. Completion of DPI requirements for licensure may take longer than four academic years.
Benchmark requirement due dates:
- Student Teaching Spring - October 1st*
- Student Teaching Fall - March 1st*
*Submission of requirements due by 4:00pm CST on the due date. If the due date falls on a weekend, the requirements are due the following Monday.
Passing test scores, from the testing agency, must be on file in the School of Education Teacher Certification Officer’s office by the dates listed above.
Demonstration of Content Knowledge
According to the educator preparation licensing law (PI 34.021(1)(c)), candidates must have demonstrated content knowledge prior to the closing date of the student teaching benchmark deadline using one of the following options:
- 3.0 GPA or higher in all certified content subject areas. The courses included in the content GPA calculation depend on the licensure program (and are found below).
OR
- Passing score on the appropriate Praxis II Subject Assessment test(s)
GPA - ECE
3.0 or higher GPA in all 4 subject areas (Social Studies, Literacy/English Language Arts, Math, and Science)
|
Social Studies 15 credits |
HIS 110 GEO 200 EDS 203 EDS 206 ECE 216 |
|
Literacy/English Language Arts 15 credits |
ENG 110 CST 110 EDS 200 (or other GE07 English Literature) EDS 308 EDS 318 |
|
Math 7-8 credits |
MTH 115 MTH 116 Additional math course(s) from GE02 list |
|
Science 7 credits |
ECE 335 PHY 106 or ESC 101 or CHM 103 or other eligible physical science course in GE05 category |
Praxis II - ECE
Test #5018 Elementary Ed Content Knowledge. Qualifying score 157.
Test prep materials can be found here.
Test Registration Check and Use Scores Testing with Accommodations
Demonstration of Teaching Reading Competency
Demonstration of teaching reading competency (required only for candidates seeking a license to teach in Kindergarten to grade 5, and/or in special education) as required by Wis. Stat. § 118.19(14)(a).
Foundations of Reading Test (FoRT)
Candidates pursuing this WI teaching license must take and pass the Foundations of Reading Test in order to complete their program and be endorsed for the appropriate educator license.
Test Registration Score Report Dates Testing with Accommodations
|
FoRT Version: |
Test Availability: |
Passing Score |
|
FoRT 190 |
Beginning September 1, 2022 |
233 |
Demonstration of Content Knowledge
According to the educator preparation licensing law (PI 34.021(1)(c)), candidates must have demonstrated content knowledge prior to the closing date of the student teaching benchmark deadline using one of the following options:
- 3.0 GPA or higher in all certified content subject areas. The courses included in the content GPA calculation depend on the licensure program (and are found below).
OR
- Passing score on the appropriate Praxis II Subject Assessment test(s)
GPA - EME
3.0 or higher GPA in all 4 subject areas (Social Studies, Literacy/English Language Arts, Math, and Science)
|
Social Studies 18 credits |
HIS 110 GEO 200 EDS 203 EDS 206 PSY 212 POL 101 or POL 102 |
|
Literacy/English Language Arts 15 credits |
ENG 110 CST 110 EDS 200 (or other GE07 English Literature) EDS 308 EDS 318 |
|
Math 8 credits |
MTH 115 MTH 116 MTH 215 MTH 216 |
|
Science 8 credits |
BIO 100 or BIO 105 or MIC 100 PHY 106 or ESC 101 or CHM 103 or other eligible physical science course in GE05 category |
Praxis II - EME
Test #5146 Middle School Content Knowledge. Qualifying score 146.
Test prep materials can be found here.
Test Registration Check and Use Scores Testing with Accommodations
Demonstration of Teaching Reading Competency
Foundations of Reading Test (FoRT)
Candidates pursuing this WI teaching license must take and pass the Foundations of Reading Test in order to complete their program and be endorsed for the appropriate educator license.
Test Registration Score Report Dates Testing with Accommodations
|
FoRT Version: |
Test Availability: |
Passing Score |
|
FoRT 190 |
Beginning September 1, 2022 |
233 |
Elementary/Middle Education (grades k-9) and French Education (grades k-12) - dual licensure
*Students enrolled in EME/FRE must show demonstration of content knowledge in Elementary/Middle Education (EME) AND French Education (FRE).
Demonstration of Content Knowledge
According to the educator preparation licensing law (PI 34.021(1)(c)), candidates must have demonstrated content knowledge prior to the closing date of the student teaching benchmark deadline using one of the following options:
- 3.0 GPA or higher in all certified content subject areas. The courses included in the content GPA calculation depend on the licensure program (and are found below).
OR
- Passing score on the appropriate Praxis II Subject Assessment test(s)
GPA - EME
3.0 or higher GPA in all 4 subject areas (Social Studies, Literacy/English Language Arts, Math, and Science)
|
Social Studies 18 credits |
HIS 110 GEO 200 EDS 203 EDS 206 PSY 212 POL 101 or POL 102 |
|
Literacy/English Language Arts 15 credits |
ENG 110 CST 110 EDS 200 (or other GE07 English Literature) EDS 308 EDS 318 |
|
Math 8 credits |
MTH 115 MTH 116 MTH 215 MTH 216 |
|
Science 8 credits |
BIO 100 or BIO 105 or MIC 100 PHY 106 or ESC 101 or CHM 103 or other eligible physical science course in GE05 category |
Praxis II - EME
Test #5146 Middle School Content Knowledge. Qualifying score 146.
Test prep materials can be found here.
Test Registration Check and Use Scores Testing with Accommodations
Demonstration of Teaching Reading Competency
Teacher candidates completing the EME/FRE dual certification programs do not need to pass the FoRT for licensure so long as they apply for both licenses being prepared. Candidates who choose to apply for only the Elementary & Middle School license (2088) must take and pass the FoRT to meet the reading competency requirement.
Demonstration of Global Language Proficiency
An official ACTFL (American Council Testing of Foreign Languages) score report demonstrating oral and written proficiency with a rating of "Intermediate High" in French or Spanish.
Elementary/Middle Education (grades k-9) and Spanish Education (grades k-12) - dual licensure
*Students enrolled in EME/SPA must show demonstration of content knowledge in Elementary/Middle Education (EME) AND Spanish Education (SPA).
Demonstration of Content Knowledge
According to the educator preparation licensing law (PI 34.021(1)(c)), candidates must have demonstrated content knowledge prior to the closing date of the student teaching benchmark deadline using one of the following options:
- 3.0 GPA or higher in all certified content subject areas. The courses included in the content GPA calculation depend on the licensure program (and are found below).
OR
- Passing score on the appropriate Praxis II Subject Assessment test(s)
GPA - EME
3.0 or higher GPA in all 4 subject areas (Social Studies, Literacy/English Language Arts, Math, and Science)
|
Social Studies 18 credits |
HIS 110 GEO 200 EDS 203 EDS 206 PSY 212 POL 101 or POL 102 |
|
Literacy/English Language Arts 15 credits |
ENG 110 CST 110 EDS 200 (or other GE07 English Literature) EDS 308 EDS 318 |
|
Math 8 credits |
MTH 115 MTH 116 MTH 215 MTH 216 |
|
Science 8 credits |
BIO 100 or BIO 105 or MIC 100 PHY 106 or ESC 101 or CHM 103 or other eligible physical science course in GE05 category |
Praxis II - EME
Test #5146 Middle School Content Knowledge. Qualifying score 146.
Test prep materials can be found here.
Test Registration Check and Use Scores Testing with Accommodations
Demonstration of Teaching Reading Competency
Teacher candidates completing the EME/SPA dual certification programs do not need to pass the FoRT for licensure so long as they apply for both licenses being prepared. Candidates who choose to apply for only the Elementary & Middle School license (2088) must take and pass the FoRT to meet the reading competency requirement.
Demonstration of Global Language Proficiency
An official ACTFL (American Council Testing of Foreign Languages) score report demonstrating oral and written proficiency with a rating of "Intermediate High" in French or Spanish.
Elementary/Middle Education (grades k-9) and Special Education (grades k-12) -dual licensure
*Students enrolled in EME/SPE must show demonstration of content knowledge in Elementary/Middle Education (EME) AND Special Education (SPE).
Demonstration of Content Knowledge
According to the educator preparation licensing law (PI 34.021(1)(c)), candidates must have demonstrated content knowledge prior to the closing date of the student teaching benchmark deadline using one of the following options:
- 3.0 GPA or higher in all certified content subject areas. The courses included in the content GPA calculation depend on the licensure program (and are found below).
OR
- Passing score on the appropriate Praxis II Subject Assessment test(s)
GPA - EME
3.0 or higher GPA in all 4 subject areas (Social Studies, Literacy/English Language Arts, Math, and Science)
|
Social Studies 18 credits |
HIS 110 GEO 200 EDS 203 EDS 206 PSY 212 POL 101 or POL 102 |
|
Literacy/English Language Arts 15 credits |
ENG 110 CST 110 EDS 200 (or other GE07 English Literature) EDS 308 EDS 318 |
|
Math 8 credits |
MTH 115 MTH 116 MTH 215 MTH 216 |
|
Science 8 credits |
BIO 100 or BIO 105 or MIC 100 PHY 106 or ESC 101 or CHM 103 or other eligible physical science course in GE05 category |
Praxis II - EME
Test #5146 Middle School Content Knowledge. Qualifying score 146.
Test prep materials can be found here.
Test Registration Check and Use Scores Testing with Accommodations
Demonstration of Teaching Reading Competency
Demonstration of teaching reading competency (required only for candidates seeking a license to teach in Kindergarten to grade 5, and/or in special education) as required by Wis. Stat. § 118.19(14)(a).
Foundations of Reading Test (FoRT)
Candidates pursuing this WI teaching license must take and pass the Foundations of Reading Test in order to complete their program and be endorsed for the appropriate educator license.
Test Registration Score Report Dates Testing with Accommodations
|
FoRT Version: |
Test Availability: |
Passing Score |
|
FoRT 190 |
Beginning September 1, 2022 |
233 |
Alternative Assessment of Reading Competency
Special education teacher candidates may elect to complete an alternate assessment of reading competency to meet Wis. Admin. Code § PI 34.021(1)(f)(2). Elementary/middle education (EME, grades K-9) & special education (grades K-12) majors must apply for both their Elementary and Middle School (2088) and Special Education (2081) licenses in order to use the alternative assessment in place of the FoRT. Candidates who choose to apply for only the Elementary & Middle School license (2088) must take and pass the FoRT to meet the reading competency requirement.
Elementary/Middle Education (grades k-9) and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (grades k-12) - dual licensure
*Students enrolled in EME/TSL must show demonstration of content knowledge in Elementary/Middle Education (EME) AND Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TSL).
Demonstration of Content Knowledge
According to the educator preparation licensing law (PI 34.021(1)(c)), candidates must have demonstrated content knowledge prior to the closing date of the student teaching benchmark deadline using one of the following options:
- 3.0 GPA or higher in all certified content subject areas. The courses included in the content GPA calculation depend on the licensure program (and are found below).
OR
- Passing score on the appropriate Praxis II Subject Assessment test(s)
GPA - EME
3.0 or higher GPA in all 4 subject areas (Social Studies, Literacy/English Language Arts, Math, and Science)
|
Social Studies 18 credits |
HIS 110 GEO 200 EDS 203 EDS 206 PSY 212 POL 101 or POL 102 |
|
Literacy/English Language Arts 15 credits |
ENG 110 CST 110 EDS 200 (or other GE07 English Literature) EDS 308 EDS 318 |
|
Math 8 credits |
MTH 115 MTH 116 MTH 215 MTH 216 |
|
Science 8 credits |
BIO 100 or BIO 105 or MIC 100 PHY 106 or ESC 101 or CHM 103 or other eligible physical science course in GE05 category |
Praxis II - EME
Test #5146 Middle School Content Knowledge. Qualifying score 146.
Test prep materials can be found here.
Test Registration Check and Use Scores Testing with Accommodations
GPA - TSL
3.0 or higher GPA based on specified courses:
- ENG 331
- GCL 310
- TSL 250
- TSL 345
Praxis II - TSL
Test #5362 English to Speakers of Other Languages. Qualifying Score 149.
Test prep materials can be found here.
Test Registration Check and Use Scores Testing with Accommodations
Demonstration of Teaching Reading Competency
Teacher candidates completing the EME/TSL dual certification programs do not need to pass the FoRT for licensure so long as they apply for both licenses being prepared. Candidates who choose to apply for only the Elementary & Middle School license (2088) must take and pass the FoRT to meet the reading competency requirement.