Codebusters Test Teacher Licensure 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which federal law replaced No Child Left Behind and redefined teacher quality standards for public schools?
- Race to the Top Act
- Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) (Correct answer)
- Higher Education Act
- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
Correct answer: Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), signed in 2015, replaced NCLB and gave states more flexibility in defining and ensuring teacher quality.
Question 2: An emergency teaching certificate is typically issued when:
- A teacher fails their licensure exam on the first attempt
- A qualified licensed teacher is unavailable for a position (Correct answer)
- A teacher requests early retirement
- A district exceeds its enrollment projections
Correct answer: A qualified licensed teacher is unavailable for a position
Emergency certificates are granted as a temporary measure when a school cannot find a fully licensed and qualified teacher for a position.
Question 3: The edTPA is best described as:
- A federal background check for teachers
- A portfolio-based teacher performance assessment (Correct answer)
- A subject-matter knowledge multiple-choice test
- An annual professional development requirement
Correct answer: A portfolio-based teacher performance assessment
The edTPA is a subject-specific, performance-based assessment where teacher candidates submit a portfolio documenting their planning, instruction, and student assessment.
Question 4: In most US states, initial teaching licenses are valid for approximately how many years?
- 1 year
- 3–5 years (Correct answer)
- 10 years
- Lifetime with no renewal required
Correct answer: 3–5 years
Most states issue initial teaching licenses valid for 3 to 5 years, after which teachers must complete renewal requirements such as professional development or additional coursework.
Question 5: Which of the following is a common requirement to upgrade from an initial to a professional (clear) teaching license?
- Completing a second bachelor's degree
- Passing the bar examination
- Completing a mentored induction program and additional professional development (Correct answer)
- Paying a federal licensure upgrade fee
Correct answer: Completing a mentored induction program and additional professional development
Most states require new teachers to complete a mentored induction or residency program and accumulate professional development hours to advance to a professional license.
Question 6: Which organization publishes the Praxis series of assessments used for teacher licensure in many states?
- College Board
- Educational Testing Service (ETS) (Correct answer)
- ACT Inc.
- Pearson Education
Correct answer: Educational Testing Service (ETS)
The Praxis series is developed and administered by ETS (Educational Testing Service) and is accepted for licensure in the majority of US states.
Question 7: A teacher licensed in one state who moves to another state most commonly transfers their license through:
- NASDTEC Interstate Agreement reciprocity (Correct answer)
- Automatic federal license portability
- Retaking all original certification exams
- Filing a waiver with the US Department of Education
Correct answer: NASDTEC Interstate Agreement reciprocity
The NASDTEC Interstate Agreement facilitates reciprocal license recognition between member states, though individual states may still impose additional requirements.
Codebusters Test Teacher Licensure 2
Which federal law replaced No Child Left Behind and redefined teacher quality standards for public schools?