Praxis® Elementary Education Pass Rates in West Virginia Colleges
Praxis Exam Scoring Statistics
Many aspire to teach the youth of tomorrow as elementary education teachers. But achieving the required accreditation for teaching in West Virginia is quite the feat.
The West Virginia Department of Education requires teachers to pass the Praxis exam to determine a prospective teacher's knowledge in core and specialized areas of education.
Most states, including West Virginia, require teachers to take the Praxis Core Practice Tests, which cover math, reading, and science. These tests are used as the baseline for future, more specialized exams and can help teachers get used to the exam format.
While the national average Praxis pass rate is 46%, West Virginia has an average of only 39%.
Why is the Praxis Exam Pass Rate so Low
The Praxis elementary education exam often goes more in-depth than is required to teach the subject, making it quite a challenge to accomplish. This is especially true for elementary education, where foundational knowledge would otherwise suffice.
There are also concerns with access to the necessary preparation materials in lower-income communities. Since the exams require a unique skill set to be successful, preparation is key.
The West Virginia Department of Education offers specialized tools to help teachers in the state be more prepared and increase access to information. After aspiring teachers take the WVDE Praxis support modules, they receive a pre-test and an exam at no cost.
There are tools available to help aspiring teachers grow their confidence, though. Practice tests are available online in many areas, including the Early Childhood Education Praxis Practice Test and the Praxis Elementary Education Multiple Subjects Practice Test.
Benefits of Private vs. Public Schools
While a college elementary education curriculum alone does not always fully prepare future teachers for the Praxis exam, private and public schools can help.
Private colleges are funded mostly by money coming into the university, like tuition. They tend to be smaller campuses with fewer students admitted, meaning they offer small class sizes and can be good for students who prefer more one-on-one teaching.
Public colleges are funded mostly by the government, meaning they have the resources to admit many students and support large class sizes. The benefit of public schools is the lower cost and, therefore, reduced requirement for student loans to be taken out. This can help reduce post-graduation stress for teachers entering their first year.
Ultimately, which type of college they attend does not make or break future teachers. The lessons learned in college courses can be applied to Praxis exams. However, it can be helpful to supplement classroom education with practice tests, specifically those like the Praxis Teaching Reading Elementary Practice Test, the Praxis Elementary Education Science Study Guide, and the Praxis Elementary Education Math Practice Test.
Description of Elementary Education in West Virginia
In West Virginia, teachers must earn a bachelor's degree, complete approved teaching preparation courses, and pass the Praxis exams relevant to their subject area.
For instance, those looking to teach elementary social studies must earn the Praxis elementary education passing score for the applicable social studies Praxis exam. Taking the Praxis Elementary Education Social Studies Practice Test would help better prepare for this.
List of Schools with Above Average Pass Rate
A few schools offer better success in passing the Praxis exam on the first attempt than the West Virginia average of 39%.
| School | Institution Type | 2-year/4-year | First Attempt Pass Rate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | American Public University System | Private | 4-year | 57% |
| 2 | West Virginia University at Parkersburg (CC - community college but does offer some bachelor's degrees) | Public | 2-year/4-year | 46% |
| 3-Tie | West Virginia University | Public | 4-year | 45% |
| 3-Tie | Glenville State University | Public | 4-year | 45% |
| 5-Tie | Shepherd University | Public | 4-year | 44% |
| 5-Tie | West Liberty University | Public | 4-year | 44% |
| 5-Tie | Fairmont State University | Public | 4-year | 44% |
| 5-Tie | Appalachian Bible College | Private | 4-year | 44% |
| 9 | Alderson Broaddus University | Private | 4-year | 43% |
| 10 | Marshall University | Public | 4-year | 40% |
To get a more in-depth look at our school ranking methodology, please visit PraxisExam.org's ranking methodology page. Pass rate information is based on data published by the National Council on Teacher Quality.
PRAXIS Exam test prep material
The good news is that practice tests exist for many different departments.
Those interested in teaching Reading and Language Arts can take the Praxis Elementary Education Reading & Language Arts Practice Test, and revisiting math exam formats can be helpful with the Praxis Elementary Education Math CKT Practice Test. There is also the Praxis Elementary Education CKT Practice Test, which is a general content knowledge exam.
Ultimately, Praxis exams are used to ensure teachers are prepared for the classroom and beyond. While they can prove challenging, using the resources available can help make it easier to earn teaching certification.