Praxis Special Education: Foundational Knowledge measures knowledge and competencies important for safe and effective beginning practice as a special education teacher. The test is designed for candidates seeking licensure to practice as a special educator at any grade level from kindergarten through grade 12.

Test-takers have typically completed—or are about to complete--a preparation program with a focus on special education. They typically have experience that includes supervised teaching in a school or other educational setting.

Content topics span the areas of (I) Human Development and Individual Learning Differences, (II) Effective Planning and Instruction and Productive Learning Environments, (III) Assessment, and (IV) Professional Learning, Practice and Collaboration. The 120 selected-response questions measure special education concepts, principles, and practices, including tasks that call for application of special education knowledge to scenarios teachers will encounter in classrooms and schools across grades K-12.

Reflecting the incidence of disabilities in the student population, the test has a focus on disabilities in the mild-to-moderate range. Instructional scenarios that include students with mild-to-moderate disabilities will typically involve a general education classroom setting with students who are supported by both general and special education teachers including use of accommodations and/or modifications. Some questions will call on candidates’ knowledge of severe-to-profound disabilities, including knowledge of how to support students with these lower-incidence disabilities, often outside a general education classroom setting.

The assessment is designed and developed through work with practicing special education teachers and teacher educators to reflect state and national standards, including Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) standards for Initial Practice-Based Professional Preparation Standards for Special Educators.

This test may contain some questions that will not count toward your score