Pearson Introduces New, Contemporary, Computer-Based Testing Program for Certifying Educators

Hadley, MA (PRWEB) March 12, 2009 -- Pearson today introduced the NES® (http://www.nestest.com) (National Evaluation Series™), a contemporary, 100 percent computer-based testing program designed to help states ensure that the educators they certify are prepared to teach effectively in 21st century classrooms. NES teacher certification tests provide states with comprehensive exams aligned to professionally accepted national learning standards, covering areas such as essential academic skills, professional knowledge and commonly taught elementary, middle and secondary grade-level subjects.

As states around the country strive to close the achievement gap, the Evaluation Systems group of Pearson, the most experienced developer of standards-based teacher certification testing programs, developed the NES, the advanced system for educator certification. The NES offers states a new choice in educator certification testing to meet the demand for knowledgeable teachers, using state-of-the-art methods in test development, delivery and support.

Evaluation Systems has more than three decades of experience developing, administering and scoring tests for prospective teachers in the United States and, through its custom work for states, has created teacher certification tests for more than 100 content fields, professional teaching skills and basic skills of college-level reading, writing and mathematics. Available to complement Evaluation Systems' custom certification testing programs, the NES is a completely new, dynamic testing program.

"At Evaluation Systems, we're committed to collaborating with states to offer high-quality teacher certification testing programs that meet their specific needs," said William Gorth, Ph.D., president of the Evaluation Systems group of Pearson. "The NES provides states with an additional way to implement a standards-based teacher certification testing program with the confidence that they are assessing educators for success in 21st century classrooms. In addition, it provides teacher candidates with comprehensive online test preparation tools and allows them the flexibility of taking the computer-based test at their convenience at a test center near them."

Delivered using innovative and secure test delivery technology, the NES (http://www.nestest.com) is a fully computer-based testing program. Candidates take the NES at Pearson's secure test centers around the country and receive immediate test results. Candidates can schedule their exams to fit their schedule at a local testing center. These Pearson Professional Centers are completely dedicated to testing and have been awarded a patent for the unique security design, which features biometric verification of test takers.

In combination with Pearson's test delivery technology, the NES gives states access to qualified candidates from all regions of the country and provides test scheduling on demand, as well as allows for portable results.

Like Evaluation Systems' ongoing custom teacher certification programs, the NES offers states comprehensive online test preparation materials for candidates, including full-length practice tests and faculty resources. The NES is also supported by world-class customer service from Evaluation Systems' team of experienced assessment specialists, who respond quickly to the needs of state education agencies, teacher education faculty and candidates.

Rigorous, Comprehensive Test Development Process

Evaluation Systems brings its extensive experience in standards-based teacher certification testing programs to the rigorous and comprehensive process used to develop the NES. Each of the tests is based on national content and pedagogy standards from leading education organizations, such as the National Council of Teachers of English and National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Test objectives and content have been reviewed by advisory panels made up of more than 400 expert classroom teachers, school administrators and teacher educators from around the country. Panel members from content areas, ranging from the sciences and language arts to art and foreign languages, found the process inclusive and comprehensive.

"I was impressed by the quality of the individuals on the physics committee," said Paul Robinson, physics teacher, San Mateo High School, Calif. "I especially liked the diversity of the teachers - culturally, educationally and in experience. Committee members ranged from seasoned veterans to relatively new teachers."

Advisory panel members provided feedback on the test content in their particular content field and signed off on the final objectives, or framework - in subjects ranging from elementary and secondary mathematics to special education and art.

"The framework captures the essential elements of art education - what teachers should know and be able to do," said Robert Sabol, professor, Rueff Department of Visual and Performing Arts, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind.; and former president of the Art Education Association of Indiana.

More information about the NES is available at www.NEStest.com.

About Pearson

Pearson (NYSE: PSO), the global leader in education and education technology, reaches and engages today's digital natives with effective and personalized learning, as well as dedicated professional development for their teachers. This commitment is demonstrated in the company's investment in innovative print and digital education materials for pre-kindergarten through professional learning, student information systems and learning management systems, teacher development, career certification programs, and testing and assessment products that set the standard for the industry. The company's respected brands include Scott Foresman, Prentice Hall, Addison Wesley, Benjamin Cummings, the Stanford Achievement Test Series, the Wechsler family of assessments, SuccessNet, MyLabs, PowerSchool, SuccessMaker and many others. Pearson's comprehensive offerings help inform targeted instruction and intervention so that success is within reach of every student at every level of education. Pearson's commitment to education for all is supported by the global charitable giving initiatives of the Pearson Foundation. Pearson's other primary businesses include the Financial Times Group and the Penguin Group. For more information, go to www.pearson.com.

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