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Passing the Special Education TExES Exam
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Passing the Special Education TExES Exam
Keys to Certification and Exceptional Learners



October 2013 | 184 pages | Corwin

Gain confidence, lower stress, and raise your TExES exam scores!

Testing for certification can be a stressful experience. State exams are rigorous and cover numerous domains and competencies. Test scores can impact both special education certification and teacher preparation programs. You may find there is simply too much material to study, or that test-prep books hammer you with too many random questions. 

Understanding what will be on the test and why is a key to success. With artful prose, TExES test prep veteran Elaine Wilmore breaks down the EC-12 and Supplemental special education test so you can feel calm and confident on test day. Built on her successful test-prep training seminars, she navigates each special education domain and competency and covers

• Philosophies behind the test questions
• Teaching stories that improve answer recall
• Tips for analyzing test questions
• Ways to use key words and concepts to improve test results
• Hints for managing time while testing
• Tips for before, during, and after the exam
• Techniques for in-state and out-of-state test takers

With its empowering approach, this book shows you how to think like the test was developed and improve your test results.

“Dr. Elaine Wilmore has, once again, created the must-have educator preparation resource—this time for special education instructors. Packed with real-world examples, sparkling wit, and expert subject knowledge, Passing the Special Education TExES Exam is the gold standard resource for Texas educators.”
—Richard W. Kincaid, Director, Career and Technical Education
Round Rock ISD, Round Rock, TX

“This is much more than a test preparation manual… Teachers will refer to it long after they have become certified.”
—La Vonda Loney, Assistant Principal
Killeen ISD, Killeen, TX


 
Section I: Knowledge, Skills, and Dispositions
 
Chapter 1. Welcome!
An Overview of the Texas Learner - Centered Domains and Competencies

 
Idealistic Teaching: A Skill or An Art?

 
Getting Started

 
The "Guess My Favorite" Feature

 
 
Section II: Domains and Competencies for the EC-12 and Supplemental Special Education TExES Exam
 
Domain I: Understanding Individuals With Disabilities and Evaluating Their Needs
 
Chapter 2. Understanding and Applying Knowledge and Characteristics of Students with Disabilities
Domain I: Understanding Individuals with Disabilities and Evaluating Their Needs

 
Domain Key Concepts: Student Characteristics, Assessment, and Evaluation

 
Competency: 001

 
The Special Education Teacher Knows How to…

 
Guess My Favorites

 
Important Points to Remember

 
 
Chapter 3. Formal and Informal Assessment and Evaluation for Instructional Decision Making
Domain I: Understanding Individuals with Disabilities and Evaluating Their Needs

 
Domain Key Concepts: Student Characteristics, Assessment, and Evaluation

 
Competency: 002

 
The Special Education Teacher Knows How to…

 
Guess My Favorites

 
Important Points to Remember

 
 
Domain II: Promoting Student Learning and Development
 
Chapter 4. Understanding and Applying Knowledge of Procedures for Planning Instruction
Domain II: Promoting Student Learning and Development

 
Domain Key Concepts: Instructional Strategies, Student Achievement & Behavior, Transition Issues

 
Competency: 003

 
The Special Education Teacher Knows How to…

 
Guess My Favorites

 
Important Points to Remember

 
 
Chapter 5. Understanding and Applying Knowledge and Procedures for Teaching with Assistive Technology Competency
Domain II: Promoting Student Learning and Development

 
Domain Key Concepts: Instructional Strategies, Student Achievement & Behavior, Transition Issues

 
Competency: 004

 
The Special Education Teacher Knows How to…

 
Guess My Favorites

 
Important Points to Remember

 
 
Chapter 6. Promoting Educational Performance in All Content Areas, Settings, and Situation
Domain II: Promoting Student Learning and Development

 
Domain Key Concepts: Instructional Strategies, Student Achievement & Behavior, Transition Issues

 
Competency: 005

 
The Special Education Teacher Knows How to…

 
Guess My Favorites

 
Important Points to Remember

 
 
Chapter 7. Understanding and Applying Issues and Procedures for Teaching Appropriate Behavioral and Social Skills
Domain II: Promoting Student Learning and Development

 
Domain Key Concepts: Instructional Strategies, Student Achievement & Behavior, Transition Issues

 
Competency: 006

 
The Special Education Teacher Knows How to…

 
Guess My Favorites

 
Important Points to Remember

 
 
Chapter 8. Understanding and Applying Knowledge of Transition Issues and Procedures
Domain II: Promoting Student Learning and Development

 
Domain Key Concepts: Instructional Strategies, Student Achievement & Behavior, Transition Issues

 
Competency: 007

 
The Special Education Teacher Knows How to…

 
Guess My Favorites

 
Important Points to Remember

 
 
Domain III: Promoting Student Achievement in English Language Arts and Reading and in Mathematics
 
Chapter 9. Promoting Student Performance in English Language Arts and Reading
Domain III: Promoting Student Achievement in English Language Arts and Reading and in Mathematics

 
Domain Key Concepts: English, Language Arts, and Mathematics

 
Competency: 008

 
The Special Education Teacher Knows How to…

 
Guess My Favorites

 
Important Points to Remember

 
 
Chapter 10. Promoting Student Performance in Mathematics
Domain III: Promoting Student Achievement in English Language Arts and Reading and in Mathematics

 
Domain Key Concepts: English, Language Arts, and Mathematics

 
Competency: 009

 
The Special Education Teacher Knows How to…

 
Guess My Favorites

 
Important Points to Remember

 
 
Domain IV: Foundations and Professional Roles and Responsibilities
 
Chapter 11. Understanding the Philosophical, Historical, and Legal Foundations of Special Education
Domain IV: Foundations and Professional Roles and Responsibilities

 
Domain Key Concepts: Communication, Collaboration, Ethical and Legal Issues

 
Competency: 010

 
The Special Education Teacher Knows How to…

 
Guess My Favorites

 
Important Points to Remember

 
 
Chapter 12. Professional Roles and Responsibilities
Domain IV: Foundations and Professional Roles and Responsibilities

 
Domain Key Concepts: Communication, Collaboration, Ethical and Legal Issues

 
Competency: 010

 
The Special Education Teacher Knows How to…

 
Guess My Favorites

 
Important Points to Remember

 
 
Chapter 13. Communication and Collaboration
Domain IV: Foundations and Professional Roles and Responsibilities

 
Domain Key Concepts: Communication, Collaboration, Ethical and Legal Issues

 
Competency: 012

 
The Special Education Teacher Knows How to…

 
Guess My Favorites

 
Important Points to Remember

 
 
Section III: Comparison and Contrasts of Domain and Competencies for the EC – 12 Special Education TExES Exam and the Supplemental Special Education TExES Exam
 
Chapter 14. Comparison of Competencies between the EC – 12 and the Supplemental Special Education TExES Exams
 
Section IV: The Real Deal: Practical Application
 
Chapter 15. Test Taking Strategies
Watch Your “Sherry’s!”

 
The Dot Game: Psychological and Time Management

 
The Dog and Star Game: Making Good Choices

 
"Multiple – Multiples:” Follow the Process!

 
 
Chapter 16. Creating a Personal Success Plan
Tips for Repeat Test Takers

 
Tips for "Out of State" Test Takers

 
How to Prepare From Now till Test Taking Week

 
How to Prepare The Week of the Test

 
What to Do, and Not Do, the Night Before the Test

 
What to Do, and Not Do, the Morning of the Test

 
Living Your Life After the Test

 
 
Chapter 17. Forever and Ever, Amen
Bringing it All Together

 
Some Last Reminders

 
Ace This Test!

 
 
Chapter 18. Suggested Additional Reading
Domain I: Understanding Students With Disabilities and Evaluating Their Needs

 
Domain II: Promoting Student Learning and Development

 
Domain III: Promoting Student Achievement in English, Language Arts, and Mathematics

 
Domain IV: Foundations and Professional Roles and Responsibilities

 
 
Appendix A: Texas Administrative Code
Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Texas Educators

 
 
Appendix B: Council for Exceptional Children
Code of Ethics

 
 
Appendix C: Council for Exceptional Children
Professional Standards and Practice Throughout the Career

 
 
References

"Dr. Elaine Wilmore has, once again, created the must-have educator preparation resource—this time for special education instructors. Packed with real-world examples, sparkling wit, and expert subject knowledge, Passing the Special Education TExES Exam is the gold standard resource for Texas educators."

Richard W. Kincaid, Director, Career and Technical Education
Round Rock ISD, Round Rock, TX

"Dr. Elaine Wilmore has done it again. A must have to all educators who wish to pass the Special Education TExES Exam. This is a well-thought-out and complete guide to passing the test and nothing less. Thank you!"

Tania Moran, Teacher
Northside ISD, San Antonio, TX

"This is much more than a test preparation manual, it is a special educator's guide to continual success. Dr. Wilmore has captured the very best elements of teaching and combined them with the characteristics/ needs of special learners to create this one-of-a-kind guide. Teachers will refer to it long after they have become certified."

La Vonda Loney, Assistant Principal
Killeen ISD, Killeen, TX

"The preparation of special education teachers is at a critical stage in our nation today; fewer and fewer teachers are willing to be certified in this area. Dr. Wilmore's book will greatly assist prospective special educators in passing the certification exam and preparing for their time in the classroom."

Linda N. Townzen, School Administrator
Norman Consulting, Arlington, TX

"This book is an excellent resource, not only for those pursuing the EC-12 Special Education TExES Exam, but also for educational leaders. The text thoroughly reviews fundamental concepts, provides great strategies, and includes realistic and humorous scenarios. An outstanding, enjoyable and easy read."

Maryanne Piña-Olguin
Texas A&M University, Fort Worth, TX
Key features
  • A strong overview and explanation of each domain and/or competency in the test
  • A through discussion of relevant concepts that relate to that domain and/or competency
  • Tables and figures geared for visual and kinesthetic learners
  • “The Code of Ethics and Standard Practice for Texas Educators” and application thereof
  • A "Guess My Favorite" section to encourage critical thinking, understanding of philosophy, synthesis of concepts, curiosity, engagement of the reader, and plain old fun
  • An “Important Points to Remember” chapter summary
  • Test-Taking Strategies, Creating a Personal Plan for Success, and Bringing It All Together

Sample Materials & Chapters

Table of Contents

1. Welcome!


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