Educator preparation programs are navigating increasing pressure to support diverse candidate pathways while maintaining strong program outcomes. As programs work to support candidate success, reduce barriers to licensure, and align preparation to evolving standards, flexibility in how candidates test and demonstrate readiness is becoming increasingly important.

That’s where Praxis Steps comes in. Launching in late Summer 2026 with the Praxis Elementary Education Fundamentals tests, Praxis Steps introduces a modular testing option designed to give candidates greater flexibility while providing educator prep programs with more actionable insights and support opportunities.

What is Praxis Steps?

Praxis Steps is a modular testing approach that gives candidates—and the partners who support them—more flexibility in how they demonstrate content knowledge. Candidates can:

• Take a full test in one sitting, as they do today, or
• Test in smaller “Steps” that align to coursework or readiness, progressing at their own pace.
• Retake only what’s needed—instead of repeating an entire test—helping reduce time, cost, and stress.
• Bank scores as they complete Steps, supporting forward momentum.

Importantly, modularity doesn’t mean lowering expectations. Praxis Steps is built to preserve the rigor, validity, and comparability that state agencies rely on for licensure decisions—while creating a testing experience that better fits how candidates learn and prepare.

Why modular testing matters for EPPs

For educator prep programs, modular testing creates practical opportunities to better support candidates—especially those balancing coursework, work, and family responsibilities. When candidates have the option to test in smaller segments, they can plan around program milestones, test when they feel ready, and focus their preparation more efficiently.

That flexibility can help reduce common barriers—like the pressure of a high stakes test, the need to pay for and schedule a full retest, or the challenge of finding time to prepare across multiple content areas at once. By supporting more than one path to success, programs can meet candidates where they are while still preparing them for the same content expectations.

Turn assessment results into actionable insight

Another key advantage of Praxis Steps is improved visibility into performance. Modular testing emphasizes granular reporting that can help states and educator prep programs see where candidates are excelling and where additional support may be needed.

Over time, that level of insight can inform practical decisions—such as where to reinforce content, which topics to prioritize in a test-prep workshop, or how to tailor advising conversations for different candidate needs. The goal is simple: use reliable assessment data to strengthen preparation and support candidate readiness.

How can EPPs prepare for Praxis Steps

Even ahead of the Summer 2026 launch, educator prep programs can take steps now to support a smooth transition to the new Elementary Education Fundamentals tests and the addition of Praxis Steps:

• Review what’s changing in the redesigned Elementary Education Fundamentals tests (updated national standards alignment and a stronger Science of Reading emphasis).
• Point candidates to official requirements via their State Requirements page for the most accurate, up-to-date guidance.
• Promote preparation resources such as free Study Companions, Study Plans and the Interactive Practice Test included with registration.
• Use Praxis Steps FAQs to answer common questions about how full tests and Steps work together.
• Download and share the onboarding toolkit for ready-to-use templates and transition guidance.

Praxis Steps is designed to help programs and states modernize licensure testing in a way that’s practical for today’s candidates and meaningful for program improvement. As launch approaches, the most effective next step is to ensure faculty, staff, and candidates have consistent information and clear pathways—so flexibility translates into success.