Praxis Exams

Every teacher is required to pass the praxis exams in their specific area of study. There are normally at least two different Praxis tests that have to be completed for example: Praxis I and Praxis II's. Last November I completed the Praxis I's. It consisted of a math section, literature section and essay. Basically the exam was exactly like the SAT's. I would suggest if you want to study to go to Barns and Noble and buy a Praxis I and II study book. The book contains practice tests with answers and also has a few pages of general rules and guidelines for taking the exam. Now that I have successfully passed the Praxis I's I am looking to sign up for the Praxis II's. To do this you need to go to www.ets.org and follow the directions for registration. If you are not sure if there is a testing site near you, you can find out on this site. Finally you can choose if you would like to take paper based or computer based test. I have heard mixed reviews of both but it is your preference. Make sure you specify which test you want to take when registering. If you have any questions about the exams feel free to ask me and I will try my best to answer. I am not sure what to expect for the Praxis II's but I would be more than happy to help answer questions about Praxis I's or registration. Good Luck! 

The Core Classes

All English majors are required to take three core classes ENG 194, ENG 295 and ENG 296. Since I transfered here last Spring semester I have had to pack the core classes into my schedule and I have realized how ridiculous all these "writing emphasis" classes are. I enjoy writing and I enjoy English but packing six writing emphasis classes in one semester two of them being 295 and 296 is way to much! I know it was my decision to take six classes but the requirements are just overwhelming. I spend my life with my nose in a book and my fingers typing papers, it is just to much! I think the University needs to diminish the number of writing emphasis classes so the English majors are not so overwhelmed and can focus on a few less books and a few less papers. Are there any other majors out there that have been destroyed by to much repetitive work?

New Handbook

So about three weeks ago West Chester came out with a new "English Majors Handbook" and I was so excited to read through it becuase I thought it was just going to be informative but instead I found out they changed around many of the classes B.S.E.D students must take. Actually one of the classes that I am taking this semester is no longer a requirement for B.S.E.D majors so as I always do ... I worried!
So this week I decided to take a breather and talk to my advisor about it when she informed me that I can still follow the same handbook I was before. So note to everyone .. if they come out with new requirments for your major you are still able to follow your the requirments you have been following. The new requirments are normally only for incoming students.

Test of Writing Competency

Every BSED major - English major - is required to take many different classes, pass the Praxis exams (I will explain them another day), and pass two different "exams" administered and graded by the English professors. The first one is The Test of Writing Competence and the other is a writing portfolio which I will also explain another day. Today I am going to explain the Test of Writing Competency.

This test is administered once every Fall and Spring semester. You are supposed to complete the test during your sophomore or junior year in order to apply for your final entrance to major. The test is a thesis driven essay and must be four to six pages single spaced. Each writer is allotted three hours and fifteen minutes. This amount of time is definitely to much for some writers and the perfect amount for others. Use this time to outline, write, rewrite, read and proofread.

Personally I think the test is unnecessary because we have all been taught to write numerous drafts and that "writing is a process" and this test defeats that whole outlook on writing. We were also taught that "writing is never finished it is only due" yet the school puts us under pressure and makes writing due in three hours. All that said and done, it is something we must do to enter the major of our choice so when it is your turn to take the test: breathe, relax, and do what your best at - writing.

A Little Background

So I transfered from Penn State to West Chester last Spring semester (2009) and I have ran into nothing but problems. Many of my classes would not transfer even though I took the exact classes at State. I found that, here at West Chester, I need to take the test of writing competence and turn in a writing portfolio to just get into the "English major." I have also recently ran into a problem when the school came out with a new "English Majors handboook." I am taking classes this semester that are in the old handbook and not the new! So follow my blog if you would like to see how exactly one becomes a BSED major at West Chester.