The Science of Teaching Reading (STR) Exam  

Overview of the STR Exam Requirement

House Bill 3, passed during the 86th Texas Legislature, established the requirement that all teacher candidates who teach students in grades Pre-K-6 demonstrate proficiency in the science of teaching reading on a new, standalone certification exam. This requirement took effect on January 1, 2021.

The STR exam will be required for the issuance of five certification fields.

	Early Childhood: EC – Grade 3
	Core Subjects with Science of Teaching Reading: Early Childhood–Grade 6
	Core Subjects with Science of Teaching Reading: Grades 4–8
	English Language Arts and Reading with Science of Teaching Reading: Grades 4–8​
	English Language Arts and Reading/Social Studies with Science of Teaching Reading: Grades 4–8

Frequently Asked Questions About the STR Exam 

[Updated 2.10.21] The STR Exam Requirement FAQ document includes answers to frequently asked questions on the following topics:

• The HB 3 STR Exam Mandate
• STR Exam Introductory Period
• Scoring, Reporting, and Retakes
• Preparing for the Exam
• Preparation Materials
• Constructed Response Questions on the STR Exam
• Impact on Core Subjects: EC-6 TExES Exams
• Testing Centers
• STR Exam and Reading Academy Requirements

Important Information for

The STR exam is required for the issuance of intern, probationary, and standard certifications for these certification fields beginning January 1, 2021.   

Teachers who are currently standard certified in Core Subjects: EC-6, Core Subjects: 4-8, English Language Arts and Reading: 4-8, or English Language Arts and Social Studies: 4-8 will not be required to pass the STR exam for renewal of their certificate. The STR exam requirement only impacts candidates seeking certification after Jan. 1, 2021.  

The Content of the STR Exam

The preparation manual for the 293 Science of Teaching Reading (STR) TExES is available on the Texas Educator Certification Exam website. The preparation manual is web-based and responsively designed for viewing on multiple devices. A PDF version that includes the exam framework and sample exam questions is also available for download.

The State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC)-approved Science of Teaching Reading standards define the knowledge and skills required of beginning educators related to the science of teaching reading who teach students in grades PK-6. The development of the STR certification exam is based on the Science of Teaching Reading standards.  

The STR Test Framework guides the test development process for the STR exam and is based on the SBEC-approved STR certification standards.