OPINION: A Fair Path to Teaching

As Colorado drops the requirement of passing the Praxis test for social studies teachers, it is becoming clearer that the economic and cultural bias of the test has created long-standing barriers and challenges for teachers of color. 

The decision to remove the test doesn’t just respond to the teacher shortage, but it also corrects the system of oppression that students of color face when becoming teachers. Data shows that the test has racial and economic disparities that target African American and Hispanic students.  

The Social Studies Praxis (5081) test covers United States history, world history, government and civics, geography, economics and behavioral sciences. This prepares students to be able to teach a variety of classes in social sciences and studies. 

While the test does give students useful feedback on their knowledge areas to improve, it has also kept many teachers of color out of the profession. Recognizing this helps explain why removing the requirement ensures a more diverse teacher workforce. 

The Praxis test is a standardized test created by the Educational Testing Service that tests basic skills in students' field of study. The mission of the ETS is to advance the science of measurement to power human progress. Students were required to pass it to secure a teaching license in Colorado. Students needed a 75% or 150 to pass. 

As of Sept. 1, 2025, social studies students are no longer required to take the exam. The requirement was modified to help address the teacher shortage in Colorado and to provide more opportunities for people of color to become social studies teachers. Students getting their license in other programs are still required to take the test. 

Colorado has been in a teacher shortage since 2020. The Praxis test is known for its difficulty, and most professors prepare students to take it more than once. However, students of color fail the test at a significantly higher rate than white students.  

In 2019, the Education Healthcare Public Services looked over the results of the test and found that 92% of white test takers passed the reading section, while 68% of African Americans passed, and 80% of Hispanic students passed.

The biggest gap was seen in the math section, with 72% of white test takers passing compared to 36% of African American test takers and 56% of Hispanic test takers. 

The test is problematic because of its cultural and economic bias, as well as geographic barriers and under-resourced schools. These challenges directly affect African American and Hispanic test takers. 

UNC offers free access to 240 tutoring sessions, a preparation program to help students get ready to take the Praxis. Many historically black universities do not offer free access to programs like these, leaving students of color at a disadvantage. 

This study program costs $50 per month for non-UNC students. Many students take the summer months to prepare for the test, which brings their costs to around $150. On top of that, many students have to retake it and are required to wait one month before taking it again, adding another $50. 

After studying, students have to pay $90 to register for the test. All of this puts students who have less money and less access to tutoring programs at a disadvantage. These students are predominantly African American and Hispanic. 

Another critique of the test is that a higher score doesn’t necessarily equal a better teacher. Paraprofessionals do not take the test and can work in classrooms for decades. In fact, many paraprofessionals who go back to get their degree fail to pass the test, even with successful years in the classroom under their belt.  

The test does have some advantages as well. The test makes sure students fully understand the subjects they are expected to teach. 

It can be a confidence builder and allow the student to see if they have a good grasp on their core concepts. It also helps prepare the student for the reality of what they will be teaching their students. For every concept on the test, teachers are required to fully understand and be able to teach. 

After taking the test, students receive a score report that breaks down their test and shows them how many questions they got right in each section. This helps identify what subject a student might be struggling with. 

The issue isn’t what students get from taking the test, but how the test was built to put POC students at a disadvantage. With bias built into the questions and price of the test, students of lower economic status and multicultural backgrounds are at a disadvantage. 

Serena Ruybal is a senior journalism major at the University of Northern Colorado.