Passing the Special Education TExES Exam

Learn more about Elaine Wilmore's PD offerings Dr. Elaine Wilmore was a public school teacher, counselor, elementary, and middle school principal before she moved to higher education. She has extensive background in everything from Early Childhood Education to creating and leading doctoral programs. She currently serves as a Doctoral Dissertation Adviser for Nova Southeastern University. She also founded and is President of Elaine L. Wilmore Leadership Initiatives, which focuses on improving campus and district leadership to increase student performance. Elaine formerly served as a Professor, the Chair of Educational Leadership, Counseling, and Foundations and as the founding Doctoral Director at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. She also served at Dallas Baptist University as Assistant Vice President for Educational Networking and Program Director for the M.Ed. and, again, the implementing director of the Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership. Prior to her position at Dallas Baptist University, Dr. Wilmore served as Special Assistant to the Dean for NCATE Accreditation, Chair and Associate Professor of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), and was the founder of all initial Educational Leadership graduate programs at UTA including the innovative field-based and grant funded Educational Leadership UTA, which received national acclaim, and the Scholars of Practice program. While at UTA she also served as Director of University Program Development where she developed and was the original Chair of the Faculty Governance Committee for the College of Education. Dr. Wilmore's respect amongst those in higher education has led her to serve as a tenure reviewer in four states and a manuscript and proposal reviewer for many conferences and professional journals. "I attended your workshop at College Station this past summer. I am happy to announce that I passed my certification exam the first time around! I am so excited and look forward to the future and what doors may open. Thank you for your strategies and your book!" - Elodia Witterstaetter, TX

Section I: Knowledge, Skills, and Dispositions Chapter 1. Welcome! An Overview of the Texas Learner - Centered Domains and Competencies Idealistic Teaching: A Skill or An Art? Getting Started The "Guess My Favorite" Feature Section II: Domains and Competencies for the EC-12 and Supplemental Special Education TExES Exam Domain I: Understanding Individuals With Disabilities and Evaluating Their Needs Chapter 2. Understanding and Applying Knowledge and Characteristics of Students with Disabilities Domain I: Understanding Individuals with Disabilities and Evaluating Their Needs Domain Key Concepts: Student Characteristics, Assessment, and Evaluation Competency: 001 The Special Education Teacher Knows How to... Guess My Favorites Important Points to Remember Chapter 3. Formal and Informal Assessment and Evaluation for Instructional Decision Making Domain I: Understanding Individuals with Disabilities and Evaluating Their Needs Domain Key Concepts: Student Characteristics, Assessment, and Evaluation Competency: 002 The Special Education Teacher Knows How to... Guess My Favorites Important Points to Remember Domain II: Promoting Student Learning and Development Chapter 4. Understanding and Applying Knowledge of Procedures for Planning Instruction Domain II: Promoting Student Learning and Development Domain Key Concepts: Instructional Strategies, Student Achievement & Behavior, Transition Issues Competency: 003 The Special Education Teacher Knows How to... Guess My Favorites Important Points to Remember Chapter 5. Understanding and Applying Knowledge and Procedures for Teaching with Assistive Technology Competency Domain II: Promoting Student Learning and Development Domain Key Concepts: Instructional Strategies, Student Achievement & Behavior, Transition Issues Competency: 004 The Special Education Teacher Knows How to... Guess My Favorites Important Points to Remember Chapter 6. Promoting Educational Performance in All Content Areas, Settings, and Situation Domain II: Promoting Student Learning and Development Domain Key Concepts: Instructional Strategies, Student Achievement & Behavior, Transition Issues Competency: 005 The Special Education Teacher Knows How to... Guess My Favorites Important Points to Remember Chapter 7. Understanding and Applying Issues and Procedures for Teaching Appropriate Behavioral and Social Skills Domain II: Promoting Student Learning and Development Domain Key Concepts: Instructional Strategies, Student Achievement & Behavior, Transition Issues Competency: 006 The Special Education Teacher Knows How to... Guess My Favorites Important Points to Remember Chapter 8. Understanding and Applying Knowledge of Transition Issues and Procedures Domain II: Promoting Student Learning and Development Domain Key Concepts: Instructional Strategies, Student Achievement & Behavior, Transition Issues Competency: 007 The Special Education Teacher Knows How to... Guess My Favorites Important Points to Remember Domain III: Promoting Student Achievement in English Language Arts and Reading and in Mathematics Chapter 9. Promoting Student Performance in English Language Arts and Reading Domain III: Promoting Student Achievement in English Language Arts and Reading and in Mathematics Domain Key Concepts: English, Language Arts, and Mathematics Competency: 008 The Special Education Teacher Knows How to... Guess My Favorites Important Points to Remember Chapter 10. Promoting Student Performance in Mathematics Domain III: Promoting Student Achievement in English Language Arts and Reading and in Mathematics Domain Key Concepts: English, Language Arts, and Mathematics Competency: 009 The Special Education Teacher Knows How to... Guess My Favorites Important Points to Remember Domain IV: Foundations and Professional Roles and Responsibilities Chapter 11. Understanding the Philosophical, Historical, and Legal Foundations of Special Education Domain IV: Foundations and Professional Roles and Responsibilities Domain Key Concepts: Communication, Collaboration, Ethical and Legal Issues Competency: 010 The Special Education Teacher Knows How to... Guess My Favorites Important Points to Remember Chapter 12. Professional Roles and Responsibilities Domain IV: Foundations and Professional Roles and Responsibilities Domain Key Concepts: Communication, Collaboration, Ethical and Legal Issues Competency: 010 The Special Education Teacher Knows How to... Guess My Favorites Important Points to Remember Chapter 13. Communication and Collaboration Domain IV: Foundations and Professional Roles and Responsibilities Domain Key Concepts: Communication, Collaboration, Ethical and Legal Issues Competency: 012 The Special Education Teacher Knows How to... Guess My Favorites Important Points to Remember Section III: Comparison and Contrasts of Domain and Competencies for the EC - 12 Special Education TExES Exam and the Supplemental Special Education TExES Exam Chapter 14. Comparison of Competencies between the EC - 12 and the Supplemental Special Education TExES Exams Section IV: The Real Deal: Practical Application Chapter 15. Test Taking Strategies Watch Your "Sherry's!" The Dot Game: Psychological and Time Management The Dog and Star Game: Making Good Choices "Multiple - Multiples:" Follow the Process! Chapter 16. Creating a Personal Success Plan Tips for Repeat Test Takers Tips for "Out of State" Test Takers How to Prepare From Now till Test Taking Week How to Prepare The Week of the Test What to Do, and Not Do, the Night Before the Test What to Do, and Not Do, the Morning of the Test Living Your Life After the Test Chapter 17. Forever and Ever, Amen Bringing it All Together Some Last Reminders Ace This Test! Chapter 18. Suggested Additional Reading Domain I: Understanding Students With Disabilities and Evaluating Their Needs Domain II: Promoting Student Learning and Development Domain III: Promoting Student Achievement in English, Language Arts, and Mathematics Domain IV: Foundations and Professional Roles and Responsibilities Appendix A: Texas Administrative Code Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for Texas Educators Appendix B: Council for Exceptional Children Code of Ethics Appendix C: Council for Exceptional Children Professional Standards and Practice Throughout the Career References

"Dr. Elaine Wilmore has, once again, created the must-have educator preparation resource-this time for special education instructors. Packed with real-world examples, sparkling wit, and expert subject knowledge, Passing the Special Education TExES Exam is the gold standard resource for Texas educators." -- Richard W. Kincaid, Director, Career and Technical Education "Dr. Elaine Wilmore has done it again. A must have to all educators who wish to pass the Special Education TExES Exam. This is a well-thought-out and complete guide to passing the test and nothing less. Thank you!" -- Tania Moran, Teacher "This is much more than a test preparation manual, it is a special educator's guide to continual success. Dr. Wilmore has captured the very best elements of teaching and combined them with the characteristics/ needs of special learners to create this one-of-a-kind guide. Teachers will refer to it long after they have become certified." -- La Vonda Loney, Assistant Principal "The preparation of special education teachers is at a critical stage in our nation today; fewer and fewer teachers are willing to be certified in this area. Dr. Wilmore's book will greatly assist prospective special educators in passing the certification exam and preparing for their time in the classroom." -- Linda N. Townzen, School Administrator "This book is an excellent resource, not only for those pursuing the EC-12 Special Education TExES Exam, but also for educational leaders. The text thoroughly reviews fundamental concepts, provides great strategies, and includes realistic and humorous scenarios. An outstanding, enjoyable and easy read." -- Maryanne Pina-Olguin