Free Praxis I prep course for those working in early childhood settings

Feb. 22, 2012

The Lock Haven University Department of Early Childhood Education is offering a face-to-face Praxis I prep class for those currently working 20 hours a week in an early childhood setting (child care, PreK Counts, Head Start). Funding from a Gate Opener Grant through the PA Key enables Lock Haven University to provide full scholarships and free materials for this Praxis I prep course.

The course will be offered on Saturday mornings, 9 a.m. to noon, from March 24 through April 21, 2012.  The Praxis I test is offered on the LHU campus on Saturday, April 28.

The PRAXIS I exam is required for professional licensure for teacher certification and is created by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). The PRAXIS I or PPST means Pre-Professional Skills Tests. The PRAXIS I exam contains reading, mathematics and writing.  While the new Pre-service Academic Performance Assessment (PAPA) in Reading, Writing and Mathematics from Pearson will accepted in Pennsylvania beginning on April 2, 2012 in place of Praxis I, the Praxis I is still being accepted as well.  In addition, because of the similarity between the Praxis I and PAPA tests, this course will be beneficial also to those planning to take the PAPA test.

The LHU Gate Opener Project is designed to provide a support structure for teachers of preschool-age children working toward certification.  Providing the Praxis I prep course is an important means of helping those already in early childhood setting to meet the Commonwealth’s certification requirements. 

Coordinator for the Lock Haven University Gate Opener Project is Elizabeth Manlove, associate professor of PreK-4/Early Childhood Education.  Dr. Manlove notes that quality childcare and early childhood education are crucial to children’s long-term educational success.

Those who are currently working in early childhood settings and would like more information about the Praxis I prep course should contact Dr. Manlove at emanlove@lhup.edu or 570-484-3024.

Lock Haven University is a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), the largest provider of higher education in the commonwealth.  Its 14 universities offer more than 250 degree and certificate programs in more than 120 areas of study.  Nearly 405,000 system alumni live and work in Pennsylvania.

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