The Science of Teaching Reading (STR) Exam  

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 takes 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.   

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.  

The Content of the STR Exam: 

The State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC)-approved Science of Teaching Reading standards define the knowledge and skills required of beginning educators related to the science of teaching reading who teach students in grades PK-6. The development of the STR certification exam is based on the Science of Teaching Reading standards.  

The STR standards can be referenced: 19 TAC Chapter 235. Classroom Teacher Certification Standards

The STR Test Framework guides the test development process for the STR exam and is based on the SBEC-approved STR certification standards.  

The STR Test Framework can be referenced: New Educator Standards and Test Frameworks

Webinars and Resources Related to the STR Exam:  

STR Preparation Manual Available

The preparation manual for the 293 Science of Teaching Reading (STR) TExES is now available on the Texas Educator Certification Exam website. The preparation manual is web-based and responsively designed for viewing on multiple devices. A PDF version that includes the exam framework and sample exam questions will also be available for download. 

STR Exam Timelines and Requirements Webinar June 2020

Link to STR Exam Timelines and Requirements June 2020 webinar presentation

Overview: A short informational webinar that outlines the STR exam requirement and the timelines associated with the STR exam. This webinar is designed as a tool to support educator preparation programs and teacher candidates understand critical requirements and deadlines ahead of the January 1, 2021 STR exam mandate.  

To request additional topics for upcoming STR exam related webinars, please complete the following survey: https://bit.ly/STRExamTopics