Educator Preparation Programs

Overview of the STR Exam Requirement

House Bill 3, passed during the 86th Texas Legislature, established the requirement that all teacher candidates who teach students in grades Pre-K-6 demonstrate proficiency in the science of teaching reading on a new, standalone certification exam. This requirement took effect on January 1, 2021.

The STR exam will be required for the issuance of five certification fields.

	Early Childhood: EC – Grade 3
	Core Subjects with Science of Teaching Reading: Early Childhood–Grade 6
	Core Subjects with Science of Teaching Reading: Grades 4–8
	English Language Arts and Reading with Science of Teaching Reading: Grades 4–8
	English Language Arts and Reading/Social Studies with Science of Teaching Reading: Grades 4–8

The STR exam will be required for the issuance of intern, probationary, and standard certifications for these certification fields beginning January 1, 2021.

Teacher candidates who have finished their educator preparation program and have been issued their standard certification in Core Subjects: EC-6, Core Subjects: 4-8, English Language Arts and Reading: 4-8, or English Language Arts and Social Studies: 4-8 prior to December 31, 2020 will not be required to take the STR certification exam.

Teachers who are currently standard certified in Core Subjects: EC-6, Core Subjects: 4-8, English Language Arts and Reading: 4-8, or English Language Arts and Social Studies: 4-8 will not be required to pass the STR exam for renewal of their certificate. The STR exam requirement only impacts candidates seeking certification after Jan. 1, 2021.

Tools and Resources for Educator Preparation Programs

During the roll-out of the Science of Teaching Reading Certification (STR) certification exam, we have appreciated the opportunities to partner with our Texas programs as they design and implement STR-aligned curriculum and preparation for teacher candidates. Included here are training decks, tools, and recorded webinars of our past STR training series. We share these training opportunities through our EPP newsletter. If you have not yet subscribed, please enroll here: If you are not currently subscribed to the newsletter, please sign up at the link below: Educator Preparation Program Listserv Registration

STR Webinar Series: Constructed Response Deep Dive (November 2020)

STR Webinar Series: Oral and Written Communication Deep Dive (January 2021)

STR Webinar Series: Text Comprehension and Analysis Deep Dive (March 2021- content coming soon)

Training Deck
Participant’s Resources

Other Helpful Resources for Programs:

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