Wisconsin Foundations of Reading Test (FORT)

Beginning on January 31, 2014, candidates in Wisconsin applying for an initial teaching license in grades Kindergarten through 5 or special education, or for a license as a reading teacher or reading specialist, as listed below, will be required to take and pass the Foundations of Reading test, a test of reading instruction knowledge and skills administered by the Evaluation Systems group of Pearson.  This requirement does apply to all license requests regardless of a candidate's program completion date.

• Early Childhood – Regular Education (70–777)
• Early Childhood – Middle Childhood (71–777)
• Middle Childhood – Early Adolescence (72–777)
• Reading Teacher (316)
• Reading Specialist (17)

This requirement is in addition to the current content testing requirements for each license as outlined on the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction website at: https://dpi.wi.gov/licensing/epp/testing-epp

FORT 190 Minimum Qualifying Score = 233

Specific Policy for the FORT Exam and Student Teaching Eligibility

Elementary candidates are required to have attempted the (FORT) exam prior to beginning student teaching placement. The follow policies describe when an elementary candidate is expected to attempt the FORT exam to be eligible to student teach:

• Undergraduate Elementary Education majors who are enrolled in TED 316 (Block II) are required to take the FORT test during TED 316 and submit their scores to UWRF
• Undergraduate Elementary Education majors enrolled in TED 316 during fall semester should take the FORT before October 31 and students enrolled in TED 316 during spring semester should take the FORT before April 30.
• Graduate Elementary Education candidate should take the FORT during the semester prior to student teaching.
• Undergraduate Early Childhood majors are required to take the FORT test while enrolled in TED 322.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q:  When should I take the FORT exam?
A:  This depends on your program of study.  Please refer to the following list:

Q:  Will candidates who are adding on licenses need to take this test?
A:  The Foundations of Reading test is a content test. Initial licensure, additional licensure, and out-of-state licensure candidates must post passing scores on all the content tests in effect and required for the Wisconsin license they are seeking. Candidates applying for Wisconsin licensure on or after January 31, 2014 in any of the licenses affected by this test will need to post passing scores on this test.

Q:  Will candidate seeking an additional licensure need to take the reading test if it was not initially required?
A:  Candidates who are enrolled in an educator preparation program to complete an additional licensure in one of the affected licensure areas must post passing scores on this new test, if they apply for a Wisconsin license on or after January 31, 2014.

Q:  When will out-of-state applicants need to take this test?
A:  Out-of-state applicants applying for a Wisconsin license on or after January 31, 2014, will need to take the test and post passing scores in order to obtain Wisconsin licensure in the licenses affected.

Q:  Will candidates who are eligible for licensure (already completed an educator preparation program but have not applied for a license) need to take this test?
A:  Wisconsin educators who have already completed an educator preparation program will need to post passing scores on the test, if they apply for Wisconsin licensure on or after January 31, 2014. Educators that apply for Wisconsin licensure before January 31, 2014 will not need to post passing scores on this test.

Q:  Will candidates who seek licensure through an Institution of Higher Education license-based-on-equivalency credential review process need to take this test?

A:  The Foundations of Reading test is a content test. In every pathway to licensure in Wisconsin, candidates must post passing scores on all the content tests in effect and required for the Wisconsin license they are seeking. Candidates applying for Wisconsin licensure on or after January 31, 2014 in any of the licenses affected by this test will need to post passing scores on this test.

 

Register for the WI Foundations of Reading Test

 Register for the Exam through the WI Website – Link to Registration Page

1. Click on Register
2. Sign In and Create a User Account
3. Test Selection: Foundations of Reading 190
4. If you need accommodations for the test, request accommodations and follow directions.
5. Select where you would like to take the test
6. Reason for taking the test: I have completed/am completing within a state and am seeking initial certification or licensure.
7. Choose your Area of Certification
8. Educator Preparation Training : Make sure you Choose River Falls so we receive your score. (Add)
9. Education Preparation Training State: Leave Blank b/c you completed in WI
10. Reported Via Email
11. States to Receive Scores: Leave Blank
12. Institutions to Receive Scores: Make sure you Choose River Falls so we receive your score. (Add)
13. Checkout
14. Acknowledge
15. Payment
16. After you pay it will allow you to choose a location and time for the test.
17. The closest location to River Falls is WI Indianhead Technical College in New Richmond – good location.