Phoenix Teaching Fellows is looking for applicants who realize that one teacher's influence can change the possibilities for numerous students. Our participants will have the drive to go above and beyond all expectations for both themselves and their students. To ensure that Fellows enter their teaching careers as highly-qualified new educators, ready to earn their full certification, Fellows must register for, study for, and pass the Subject Knowledge portion of the Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessment (AEPA).

Candidates who are invited to interview with the Fellows program will receive individualized instruction at that time as to the specific Arizona Educator Proficiency Assessment (AEPA) Subject Knowledge portion appropriate for their candidacy. The appropriate AEPA exam will vary for each candidate, depending on a candidate’s eligibility and the subject he/she may teach in the fall (see list below for more detail). Note that this AEPA is the first exam of several exams (typically first exam of three exams) that Fellows must pass during their first two years teaching.

* If you do not take and pass all required certification exams by June 12, you will not be allowed to start the Training Institute. 

Due to persistent needs in Yuma, and our recent partnership with Yuma districts, candidates interested in teaching math, science or language arts in Yuma (if accepted to PhxTF) may now begin PhxTF Training Institute without test passage and take the June 5th AEPA exam to meet subject area requirements for the fall.

* The majority of Fellows will then be required to take a second subject knowledge AEPA during their first year of teaching. All Fellows will be required to take the Professional Knowledge AEPA (either elementary #91 or secondary#92) during their first year of teaching. More information on these testing requirements will be provided.

Please note that testing requirements are subject to change at any point and that Phoenix Teaching Fellows updates information based on updates from ADE as they are made available. The Arizona Department of Education determines all testing guidelines and frequently updates requirements aligned with federal and state regulations.

If you are facing challenges as you try to schedule the AEPA exams and will not be able to take the exam in March, you should consider contacting the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) for more information about the possibility of taking your home state’s certification exams.  Please note that the ADE may not accept tests from your state.

AEPA Preparation

It is imperative that all candidates STUDY thoroughly for the AEPA. The exam often proves difficult even for individuals with deep content knowledge or relevant professional experience. As you prepare, consider the following recommendations and resources:

• Click here for information about ordering official AEPA Study Guides.

• Refer to college and high school textbooks focused on the appropriate subject matter for your AEPA

• Consider purchasing study guides from major test prep providers at a local library or bookstore

• Actively search the internet for additional test prep materials and resources

• Form study groups with other candidates or teachers

Note that it is common for candidates to need to take the AEPA a second time when it is not passed on the first attempt. Therefore, the Fellows program strongly recommends that candidates invited to interview with the program register as soon as possible for the AEPA upon receiving individualized direction on which exam to take. For more information on the exam, visit the AEPA website.

All candidates will be required to submit proof of test registration and/or scores at the Interview Event.

Each exam costs $105; candidates are responsible for this registration cost. *Note that there is an additional $30 fee for late registration, and an additional $50 fee for emergency registration. All fees are assessed by NES, Inc. and are subject to change at their discretion.

Please click here for additional information on program eligibility requirements. If you have further questions about exams required to teach in Arizona through this program, please contact us at info@phoenixteachingfellows.org.

By teaching math, science, and special education, Fellows will have the opportunity to impact student achievement in significant and meaningful ways for Phoenix’s students. Apply today!

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