What is the AECTP Test?
Individuals who apply to the Alabama Department of Education, Office of Teaching and Leading for Alabama Professional Educator certificates, Alternative and Preliminary certificates, Specialty Area Career and Technical certificates, or Speech-Language Pathology Assistant certificates under any of the conditions described below must meet the requirements for the basic skills assessments of the AECTP:
1. Applying for a Professional Educator Certificate in a teaching field or instructional support area. (Please note: Effective for certificate reciprocity and/or certificate and experience reciprocity applications received in the Teacher Certification Section of the Alabama Department of Education on September 1, 2013, and thereafter, the basic skills assessments will no longer be required.;
2. Applying for an Alternative Baccalaureate-Level Certificate, a Special Alternative Certificate, or a Preliminary Certificate;
3. Applying for a Specialty Area Career and Technical Certificate;
4. Applying for a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant Certificate; or
5. Applying to Reinstate a Lapsed (more than six months) Professional Educator Certificate. (Please note: Effective for reinstatement applications received in the Teacher Certification Section of the Alabama Department of Education on September 1, 2013, and thereafter, the basic skills assessments will no longer be required.)
Please note that individuals who currently hold a valid Alabama Professional Educator Certificate or a valid Professional Leadership Certificate are not required to pass the basic skills assessment of the AECTP. The basic skills assessments of the AECTP consist of the Applied Mathematics, Reading for Information, and Writing assessments from the ACT WorkKeys System. The assessments measure an examinee’s foundational skills that are necessary for effectively performing the critical tasks required of Alabama educators. The Applied Mathematicsassessment measures basic skills in using mathematical reasoning to solve work-related problems. While no problem requires the use of a calculator, examinees may use approved calculators on the Applied Mathematics assessment. The specifications for approved calculators are provided in the Study Guide. The Reading for Information assessment measures basic skills in reading and using work-related information such as instructions, policies, memos, bulletins, notices, letters, manuals, and governmental regulations. The Applied Mathematics and Reading for Information assessments are timed, multiple-choice exams. The Writingassessment requires examinees to write an original response to a work-related situation. Additional information about the assessments is included in the Study Guide. The minimum passing scores set by the State Board of Education are Level 4 for the Applied Mathematics assessment, Level 5 for the Reading for Information assessment, and Level 3 for the Writingassessment. Test candidates should also review the Alabama Department of Education website (www.alsde.edu) and/or contact the teacher testing staff at (334) 242-9983 or aectp@alsde.edu for additional information concerning the assessments that are required. Individuals may retake an assessment as often as desired. There is no limit on the number of times that an assessment may be taken. However, individuals taking the computer-based assessments may only take each assessment one time per testing window. Individuals who wish to retake a test must reapply in accordance with the procedures printed in the Registration Bulletin. Applicants for teacher certification should contact the Alabama Department of Education or visit their website (www.alsde.edu) for information about requirements pertaining to subject-matter testing.