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Overview of the STR Exam Requirement

House Bill 3, passed during the 86th Texas Legislature, established the requirement that all teacher candidates who teach students in grades Pre-K-6 demonstrate proficiency in the science of teaching reading on a new, standalone certification exam. This requirement took effect on January 1, 2021.

The STR exam will be required for the issuance of five certification fields.

	Early Childhood: EC – Grade 3Ìý
	Core Subjects with Science of Teaching Reading: Early Childhood–Grade 6Ìý
	Core Subjects with Science of Teaching Reading: Grades 4–8Ìý
	English Language Arts and Reading with Science of Teaching Reading: Grades 4–8​Ìý
	English Language Arts and Reading/Social Studies with Science of Teaching Reading: Grades 4–8

Frequently Asked Questions About the STR ExamÌý

[Updated 2.10.21]ÌýThe STR Exam Requirement FAQ document includes answers to frequently asked questions on the following topics:

• The HB 3 STR Exam Mandate
• STR Exam Introductory Period
• Scoring, Reporting, and Retakes
• Preparing for the Exam
• Preparation Materials
• Constructed Response Questions on the STR Exam
• Impact on Core Subjects: EC-6 TExES Exams
• Testing Centers
• STR Exam and Reading Academy Requirements

Important Information for

The STR exam is required for the issuance of intern, probationary, and standard certificationsÌýfor these certification fieldsÌýbeginning January 1, 2021.ÌýÌýÌý

Teachers who areÌýcurrentlyÌýstandard certified in Core Subjects: EC-6, Core Subjects: 4-8, English Language Arts and Reading: 4-8, or English Language Arts and Social Studies: 4-8Ìýwill notÌýbe required to pass the STR exam for renewal of their certificate. The STR exam requirement only impacts candidates seeking certification after Jan. 1, 2021.ÌýÌý

The Content of the STR Exam

The preparation manual for the 293 Science of Teaching Reading (STR) TExES isÌýavailable on the . The preparation manual is web-based and responsively designed for viewing on multiple devices. A version that includes the exam framework and sample exam questions isÌýalsoÌýavailable for download.

The State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC)-approved Science of Teaching Reading standards define the knowledge and skills required of beginning educators related to the science of teaching reading who teach students in grades PK-6.ÌýThe development ofÌýtheÌýSTR certification exam is based on the Science of Teaching Reading standards.ÌýÌý

The STRÌýTestÌýFramework guidesÌýthe test development processÌýfor the STR examÌýandÌýisÌýbased onÌýtheÌýSBEC-approvedÌýSTRÌýcertification standards.ÌýÌý