Accepted candidates are responsible for passing the Illinois Certification Testing System (ICTS) Basic Skills test and required content area tests for enrollment in the Chicago Teaching Fellows program to be finalized.  The Chicago Teaching Fellows program strongly encourages candidates to register for the Basic Skills test as soon as possible. 

If invited to an interview, the Fellows office will assign candidates to a subject area and advise candidates on the content area test(s) that should be taken.  Please note that subject area assignments are based on candidates’ reports of subject area eligibility on the online application.  Please see the tables below for detailed information about subject area eligibility and corresponding content area test requirements.  Upon further review of transcripts, the Fellows program may change candidates’ subject area assignments if necessary.  In such cases, candidates may need to take an additional content area test.  Ineligibility for a specific subject does not necessarily remove a candidate from the interview and selection process. 

ICTS test scores are valid for five (5) years.  Candidates may submit passing score reports for the Basic Skills test and/or required content area test taken after May 2004.  Please note that it takes approximately one month to receive scores.

ICTS Testing Schedule

To register for the Basic Skills and content area tests, please visit http://www.icts.nesinc.com.

If candidates have further questions about the required examinations, we encourage them to contact us at info@chicagoteachingfellows.org.

Spanish Requirements

Spanish Fellows may also be required to pass the ACTFL exam as part of their university entrance requirements.

Chinese Requirements (for candidates with 20 hours of Chinese coursework)

Chinese Fellows with 20 hours of Chinese coursework may also be required to pass the ACTFL exam as part of their university entrance requirements.

Chinese Requirements (for candidates who do not have 20 hours of Chinese coursework but are fluent in Mandarin Chinese)

Due to the length of the Basic Skills test and the Foreign Language: Chinese (Mandarin) (126) content area test, these exams may not be taken on the same testing day. 

High School Math Requirements

*Please note that Accounting, Finance, and Business courses will not count toward this requirement.

Middle Grades Math Requirements

*Please note that Accounting, Finance, and Business courses will not count toward this requirement.

High School Science Requirements

*Please note that social science coursework will not count toward this requirement.

Middle Grades Science Requirements

*Please note that social science coursework will not count toward this requirement.

Special Education Requirements

Test Preparation

It is imperative that all candidates study thoroughly for both ICTS exams. Teachers and candidates report that these exams can be challenging and require thorough preparation in order to pass -- even for individuals with deep content knowledge or relevant professional experience. As you prepare, consider the following test preparation resources:

• Visit www.icts.nesinc.org for information. Select the Preparation Information section to review topics covered on the exam and to identify which topics you need to focus on during your studying.

• In addition to the Illinois Certification Testing System, there are other entities that provide certification testing to states across the country. One of those tests is the Praxis test for which many test preparation materials exist. Because Praxis tests are similar in content to the ICTS exams, we also encourage candidates to consider using Praxis test prep materials. The Praxis I is equivalent to the ICTS Basic Skills exam and the Praxis II exams are equivalent to the ICTS Content Area exams.

• Consider online resources designed for Praxis I test prep, such as www.PraxisMath.com, www.PraxisReading.com, and www.PraxisWriting.com. (Note that candidates/Fellows can receive a 50% discount on these resources when ordering them directly through link provided from My CTF)

• Candidates eligible to teach math should consider online resources designed for math Praxis II test prep, such as www.PraxisHighSchoolMath.com, wwwPraxisMiddleSchoolMath.com, www.FundamentalSubjects.com, and www.PraxisMathExam.com. (Note that candidates/Fellows can receive a 20% - 50% discount on these resources when ordering them directly through link provided from My CTF)

Although Chicago Teaching Fellows and CPS do not specifically endorse any of these materials, and while individual's preparation needs will vary, Fellows have cited these resources as helpful starting points in studying for these important tests.

© 2005-2006 The New Teacher Project :: www.Chicago Teaching Fellows.org