TExES Special Education EC-12 Exam

The TExES 161 Special Education EC-12 exam is a comprehensive and detailed assessment for prospective special education teachers in the state of Texas. The content of the exam is divided into four domains: understanding individuals with disabilities and evaluating their needs (16 questions, 13% of the test); promoting student learning and development (40 questions, 33%); promoting student achievement in English language arts, reading, and mathematics (40 questions, 33%); and foundations and professional roles and responsibilities (24 questions, 30%).

The following areas are covered in the domain related to understanding individuals with disabilities and evaluating their needs: the characteristics and needs of individuals with disabilities, formal and informal assessment procedures, and the evaluation of student competencies in making instructional decisions. The TExES 161 Special Education EC-12 domain related to promoting student learning, meanwhile, covers procedures for planning instruction and managing the teaching and learning environment, as well as issues and procedures related to teaching appropriate student behavior and social skills. This domain also includes questions about assistive technology as defined by state and federal regulations, transition issues and procedures across the life span, and the promotion of students' academic performance through the facilitation of achievement in a variety of settings and situations. The TExES 161 Special Education EC-12 exam was developed by the Texas Education Agency and the Educational Testing Service.