Foundations of Reading Test (FoRT)

Who needs to take the Foundations of Reading Test (FORT)?

Students wishing to gain licensure in the following areas are required to take this test:

  • Students seeking their first teaching license in: Early childhood majors, early childhood special education minors, elementary education majors, special education majors, special education minors.
  • Teachers adding-on one of the following licenses and are not certified to teach in Wisconsin with a provisional or lifetime license in another teaching field at the time they apply for the new add-on license: Early childhood, early childhood special education, elementary education including the K-9 add-on, reading teacher (316), K-12 cross categorical special education.
  • Teachers adding-on the Reading Specialist (017) license and are not certified to teach in Wisconsin with a provisional or lifetime license in another administrative license category at the time they apply for the new license.

Notes

  • Certified teachers adding on the following licenses are exempt from this requirement  if they are certified to teach in Wisconsin with a provisional or lifetime license at the time they apply for the new add-on license: Early childhood, early childhood special education, elementary education including the K-9 add-on, reading teacher (316), K-12 cross categorical special education.
  • Reading Specialist (017) add-on is an administrative license. For those who are certified to in another administrative license in Wisconsin with a provisional or lifetime license at the time they apply for the new add-on license are exempt from this requirement.
  • If you are solely seeking a special education licensure or a double major in elementary education and special education, you have the option to either pass the FoRT or complete the UWSP DPI approved FoRT Alternative for special education. For those seeking a double major in elementary education and special education, and choose the FoRT Alternative for special education, when it is time to for UWSP to upload your licenses to DPIs licensing portal, your initial license in K-12th grade cross categorical special education will be posted to DPI by UWSP first and the elementary education (regular education) second. Regular education would then be considered an add-on license and would not require FoRT. Please see the “FoRT Alternative” section below to learn about the alternative option that applies in this case.
  • If you are a secondary/K-12 major with a special education minor or major, when it is time to upload to DPI, your initial license in your secondary/K-12 field will be posted to DPI by UWSP first and the special education second. K-12th grade cross categorical special education would then be considered an add-on license and would not require FoRT. Please see the “FoRT Alternative” section below to learn about the alternative option that applies in this case.

Test Information

Test Information

Passing Score Information

  • Benchmark Passing Score: Applicants who apply for Wisconsin Licensure on or after Sept. 1, 2014, are required to earn a passing score of 233 for test version #890 and #190. For test version #090 a passing score of 240 is required. Test version #190 will be offered until August 25, 2025. The new test version, #890, will be offered starting August 26, 2025. Registration for test #890 will open July 15, 2025. Test version #890: this version of the test will have additional benefits including after 3 attempts of this version, additional tests are free.  Previous versions of the test do not count toward the attempts. Check the Pearson website for additional study benefits for test version #890.

How much will it cost?

Test fee – $139

Registration

We recommend registering 6-8 weeks prior to taking the test as there are a very limited number of approved sites in Wisconsin.

Register Here

Why will I be required to take another test?

According to Wisconsin State Statute ACT 166:

Section 21.118.19(14)(a) any person applying for a teacher license “…to teach in grades kindergarten to 5 or in special education, an initial license as a reading teacher, or an initial license as a reading specialist…” are required to take and pass a Foundations of Reading Test.

When do I have to have passing scores on this test?

The School of Education at UW-Stevens Point requires a passing score on the Foundations of Reading Test in order to be fully licensed to teach. A passing score is not required in order to student teach or graduate.

About the Test

80% of the test is made up of 100 multiple choice questions broken apart into sub-areas. There are two open response (essay) questions that are worth 20% of the total score.

When am I ready to take the test?
Alternative Pathway for Licensure-Act 44

In the summer of 2020, the Wisconsin State Legislature and Governor approved students seeking licensure in special education to either take and pass the Foundations of Reading Test (FoRT) or to successfully complete an alternative to the FoRT. The following information describes the two options; please take the time to read through it fully. These two options apply for students solely seeking special education licensure, those seeking a double major in elementary education with special education and will be license first in special education and then in elementary education or are in the accelerated (CWIC) program.

Option 1 – FoRT – The candidate demonstrates proficiency to teach reading by taking and passing the Foundation of Reading Test. Take and pass the Foundations of Reading Test #090 (no longer offered- score still acceptable) with a score of 240 or higher or Test #190 with a score of 233 or higher. Information about the FoRT, including resources for how to prepare, can be found here.

Option 2 – Alternative Pathway -The candidate demonstrates proficiency to teach reading by completing three components listed below: 

1. Complete one of the following “course of study” with a grade of C- or better in each class

  • Course of Study 1: EDUC 302 & EDUC 309
  • Course of Study 2: EDUC 718 & EDUC 715
  • Course of Study 3: EDUC 718 & EDUC 747

AND

2. Participate in coaching sessions with a reading specialist or another person that meets the DPI definition of “expert in teaching reading.” If you currently work for a school district, we suggest you collaborate with a reading specialist (license #17/5017) employed by your school district. If you do not not have access to a reading specialist, you may work with a UWSP faculty member. You may contact Prof. Jacquelyn Sernau to schedule coaching sessions.*

*If you complete all of your Course of Study 1, 2, or 3 during Fall 2020 semester or after, this component is embedded in your courses.  You must work with the instructors of your course of study to document and receive verification of your participation in coaching.  If you completed part or all of your Course of Study 1, 2, or 3 prior to the Fall 2020 semester, please review the materials below to learn more about how to complete this component.

AND

3. Create an electronic portfolio containing specific lesson plans, artifacts, and reflections.

Additional details about each of these three components required for the Option 2 – Alternative Pathway can be found here:

If you have questions about this requirement, please contact Jacquelyn Sernau or Breanna Cychosz or call the School of Education Academic and Career Advising Office at 715-346-2040.

What can I expect for the structure of the FoRT 890?

There is a very similar structure in that 80% of the test is made up of 100 multiple choice questions broken apart into subareas. Then there are 2 open response (essays) questions that are worth 20% of the score.

How can I begin to prepare for taking the FoRT 890?

There is a significant shift in the focus of instructional strategies on the FoRT 890. Knowing Foundational Reading Knowledge is essential. An in-depth study into phonics is highly suggested. There are several books that your instructors can recommend. The content that is covered in EDUC 302 and EDUC 309 is also extremely important. These courses will set you up with the foundational knowledge you need, but they cannot teach you everything! Studying material outside of class is critical for passing this test.

Tutoring

FoRT Tutoring Opportunity

FoRT tutoring will be offered again this fall semester. No matter what stage you are in, now is a great time to study for the FoRT.

  • The first session of tutoring will be Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning Sept. 17 and running through Oct. 31 from 7-8:30 p.m.
  • The second session of spring tutoring will be Tuesdays and Thursdays from Nov. 5- Dec. 19 from 7-8:30 p.m.

All sessions will be held virtually via Zoom. Sign up is now open. Participants will receive the Zoom link 1-3 days prior to the first tutoring session.

Resources

FoRT 890

The following list of resources will help you prepare for the new Foundations of Reading Test-FoRT 890. Please take time to explore each of these:

Books to Explore for Preparing for FoRT:

Resources and Articles
Library Resources

University Library

Text Resources

Practice Tests

Practice Tests