FTCE Directory for Florida Department of Education (FDOE) and National Evaluation Systems (NES) Latest Update

The Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) is a critical component of the educator certification process in Florida, overseen by the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) in collaboration with National Evaluation Systems (NES), a division of Pearson. The FTCE ensures that prospective teachers meet the required qualifications and standards necessary to serve students effectively within Florida’s diverse educational system. As part of a broader effort to maintain high educational standards, these examinations assess the knowledge and skills of candidates in various subject areas, ensuring that they are well-equipped to deliver quality education.

Overview of the FTCE

The FTCE consists of a series of standardized assessments designed to evaluate the competency of individuals seeking to become certified teachers in Florida. These exams are specifically designed to measure a candidate’s proficiency in both general and subject-specific areas that are essential for effective teaching. The FTCE is a requirement for obtaining teacher certification in Florida, and passing these exams demonstrates that a candidate possesses the necessary skills and knowledge to teach at the K-12 level in the state.

The exams are divided into several categories based on the level of certification and subject area. They include general knowledge tests, subject area exams, and professional education tests. These exams assess various components of a teacher’s expertise, including their ability to effectively communicate, manage classrooms, and understand the academic needs of students across diverse backgrounds.

The FTCE is crucial because it ensures that Florida’s educators are prepared to deliver the high standards of education that the state aims to provide. By maintaining rigorous certification requirements, the FDOE ensures that teachers have the pedagogical knowledge, content expertise, and professionalism required to contribute to students' success.

Partnership with NES (National Evaluation Systems)

The Florida Department of Education partners with National Evaluation Systems (NES) for the development, administration, and management of the FTCE. NES is a division of Pearson, a leading educational company with a long history of developing assessments for teacher certification and licensure programs across the U.S.

NES works closely with the FDOE to create fair, reliable, and valid examinations. It administers the FTCE exams through a computer-based testing system, allowing candidates to take the exams at authorized Pearson VUE test centers located across Florida. The collaboration between FDOE and NES ensures that the exams meet the standards of the state’s certification requirements and align with Florida’s educational priorities.

NES provides a comprehensive platform for test registration, study resources, score reporting, and customer service, ensuring that candidates have a smooth experience from exam preparation to certification. The collaboration between NES and FDOE also ensures that the FTCE exams are continually updated to reflect evolving educational standards, changes in curriculum, and the latest best practices in education.

Recent Updates and Revisions to the FTCE

The FTCE has undergone several significant revisions over the years to ensure that the exams reflect current educational standards and methodologies. These revisions are crucial for ensuring that teachers are adequately prepared to meet the needs of students in Florida’s diverse educational landscape.

One of the most recent updates to the FTCE was the revision of competencies and skills for several subject area examinations. In March 2022, the State Board of Education approved updated competencies and skills that align with the Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking (B.E.S.T.) Student Performance Standards in K-12 English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics. This update was designed to reflect the ongoing changes in Florida’s K-12 curriculum and teaching practices, particularly in English Language Arts and mathematics.

The following FTCE exams were impacted by these revisions:

• General Knowledge Test
• Elementary Education K-6
• English 6-12
• English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) K-12
• Exceptional Student Education K-12
• Mathematics 6-12
• Middle Grades English 5-9
• Middle Grades Mathematics 5-9
• Prekindergarten/Primary PK-3
• Reading K-12

The updates to these exams ensure that the content tested on the FTCE aligns with the state's current academic standards and best practices in education. These revisions reflect Florida’s commitment to providing high-quality education and ensuring that its educators are equipped with the latest knowledge and skills to address the needs of all students.

Another significant change to the FTCE was the adoption of new passing scores for certain subject area exams. On October 20, 2022, the State Board of Education approved new passing scores for four FTCE exams, which went into effect on January 1, 2023. The updated passing scores were established to ensure that the exams accurately measure the required competency levels for each subject area.

The updated passing scores for the following exams are:

• Deaf or Hard of Hearing K-12: 60/100 (60%)
• School Counseling PK-12: 66/100 (66%)
• School Psychologist PK-12: 70/100 (70%)
• Visually Impaired K-12: 71/100 (71%)

These adjustments in passing scores reflect a commitment to maintaining a rigorous certification process that aligns with Florida’s educational goals. The changes also ensure that the exams are a fair and accurate representation of the competencies needed by educators in these specialized areas.

Military Certification Fee Waivers

In addition to revisions to the content and passing scores, the FTCE has also undergone updates related to financial assistance for certain groups of test candidates. In July 2022, the Florida Department of Education expanded eligibility for its Military Testing Fee Waivers program. This program now covers current members of a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces, honorably discharged veterans, and their spouses or surviving spouses. The goal of this initiative is to support military personnel and their families in pursuing educator certification in Florida.

The expansion of the Military Testing Fee Waivers program is a part of the state’s broader effort to assist military service members and veterans in transitioning to civilian careers, particularly in education. The program helps alleviate the financial burden of certification exams, allowing qualified individuals to focus on their educational and professional goals.

Preparing for the FTCE

The FTCE exams are designed to test the comprehensive knowledge and skills of prospective educators. To help candidates succeed, the FDOE and NES offer various resources and study tools. The official FTCE website provides detailed information about each exam, including registration instructions, exam content outlines, and recommended study materials.

Candidates are encouraged to review the competencies and skills for their specific subject area, as these form the foundation of the exams. Practice tests and study guides are also available to help candidates familiarize themselves with the format and content of the exams. Additionally, NES offers a range of online resources, including interactive study plans and preparation workshops, to further support candidates in their exam preparation journey.

Conclusion

The Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) are a vital part of the educator certification process in Florida. Through the collaboration between the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) and National Evaluation Systems (NES), the exams are continuously updated to reflect the latest educational standards, pedagogical practices, and requirements. Recent updates, including revisions to competencies and skills, changes in passing scores, and expanded military testing fee waivers, ensure that the FTCE remains a reliable and relevant tool for assessing the qualifications of prospective educators.

By maintaining rigorous standards and providing resources for candidates, the FTCE helps ensure that Florida’s teachers are well-equipped to deliver high-quality education to students and meet the challenges of an ever-evolving educational landscape.