Praxis test for teachers to be suspended?

A group of Alabama officials and teachers have recommended suspending the requirement for teachers to pass the Praxis Content Knowledge test in order to increase the pool of K-12 teachers available nationwide. 

The Praxis exam is a teachers certification test meant to eliminate teaching candidates who do not have the necessary knowledge for the job, it is one of the many tests that teachers need to take before being qualified for employment. Huntington College Education Dean Carolyn Corliss said that "Praxis has been a big barrier" "I've talked to several deans across the state, we know of two to three hundred students that could now be in the teacher pool if it had not been for Praxis holding them back." Perry County Superintendent Marcia Smiley mentioned to school board members during the meeting how the K-12 employee shortage has hit two of her schools hard, she said that she currently has teachers in her district teaching under emergency certification who are "just a few points shy" of passing the Praxis test. Smiley highlighted the situation of potential teachers who are not great test-takers but that doesn't mean they can't be and aren't great teachers. Smiley pointed out how many individuals take the test a couple of times and get disheartened and walk away from the profession entirely. 

Officials suggested that the suspension of tests would be temporary, just until they have a grip on the situation and have enough teachers to fill the classrooms. Although the teachers' shortage is a raging concern, a decision is not being made consensually because many are concerned about maintaining the quality of teachers if the test is suspended. 

Source: Al.com Alabama