INTERNATIONAL TEACHING ASSISTANT EXAM

ITA Policy

 Definitions

ITA - International Teaching Assistant
iBT – Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
IELTS –  International English Language Testing System
Native English speaking graduate students – for the purposes of this policy, graduate students who completed their primary education (i.e., graduated from high school) from the following countries are considered to be native English speaking and are exempted from this policy:

• Australia
• Canada (except for Quebec)
• Ireland
• New Zealand
• United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
• United States (U.S.)

Non-native English speaking graduate students – for the purposes of this policy, graduate students who completed secondary education (i.e., graduated from high school) in any country not listed in the “Native English speaking graduate students” section.

 PTE Academic - Pearson English Test Academic

• Policy Summary

  The requirements for non-native English speaking graduate students appointed to serve in an instructional capacity (e.g., employed as a Graduate Teaching Assistant involving oral presentations to students) are as follows:

  An individual scoring 26 or higher on the speaking section of the iBT, or who scores 8.5 or higher on the speaking portion of the IELTS: The ITA exam is not required, and the individual is allowed to engage in instructional activities.

   An individual scoring 22-25 on the speaking section of the iBT,* or who scores 7.0, 7.5, or 8.0 on the speaking portion of the IELTS: The ITA exam is required, but the individual can register to take the ITA exam without additional qualifications.

  • An individual scoring 250 or above on the ITA exam is allowed to engage in instructional activities.
  • An individual scoring from 240 to 249 on the ITA exam is required to enroll concurrently in GRAD 5092 in order to engage in instructional activities.  Continuous enrollment in GRAD 5092 is required until the individual both earns a grade of “B” in this course and passes the ITA exam with a score of 250 or above, or the individual ceases to be employed in an instructional capacity.
  • An individual scoring 239 or lower cannot be engaged in instructional activities and must enroll in GRAD 5082 and receive a grade of “B” to qualify to re-take the ITA exam at its next regular administration.

  An individual scoring 21 or below on the speaking section of the iBT, or 6.5 or below on the speaking portion of the IELTS, who has PTE Academic scores or who does not have access to the iBT or the IELTS prior to arrival at OSU: The ITA test is required, but to take the ITA test the individual must qualify by one of the two options specified below:

  1. Seek additional English proficiency qualifications prior to registering for the ITA exam by enrolling in GRAD 5082 and receive a grade of “B” or (re)taking the iBT or IELTS exam (as permitted by iBT and IELTS policy) and earning a qualifying score as stated above. Either of these options qualifies the student to take the ITA exam at its next regular administration. 
  2. The employing unit head submits an affidavit stating that the unit head has firsthand knowledge that the individual possess sufficient English skills to warrant access to ITA testing despite not meeting the iBT or IELTS score requirements.

  • An individual scoring 250 or above on the ITA exam is allowed to engage in instructional activities.
  • An individual scoring from 240 to 249 on the ITA exam is required to enroll concurrently in GRAD 5092 in order to engage in instructional activities.  Continuous enrollment in GRAD 5092 is required until the individual both earns a grade of “B” in this course and passes the ITA exam with a score of 250 or above, or the individual ceases to be employed in an instructional capacity.
  • An individual scoring 239 or lower cannot be engaged in instructional activities and must enroll in GRAD 5082 and receive a grade of “B” to qualify to re-take the ITA exam at its next regular administration.

  Individuals who were enrolled in an accredited U.S. institution of higher learning and completed a baccalaureate or higher degree at that institution prior to matriculating at OSU or who have been enrolled at OSU and completed a baccalaureate or higher degree, and whose iBT or IELTS scores have expired may receive authorization to take the ITA exam if the head of their employing unit submits an affidavit that the unit head has firsthand knowledge that the individual possess sufficient English skills to warrant access to ITA testing despite not meeting the iBT or IELTS score requirements because of expired iBT or IELTS tests.

  Click here for the ITA Unit Head Affidavit for Student to Take the ITA Exam

   

  Per the test provider’s guidelines, iBT and IELTS scores are valid for two years past the date of the test administration.

• Policy Guidance

  The requirements for International Teaching Assistants (ITAs) are dictated in part by Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education policy (see Policy and Procedure Manual: Chapter 3: Academic Affairs §3.23) and Oklahoma State Law (Oklahoma Statute 70 O.S. §3224 and §3225 (2001)).

   

  Policy approved by the Graduate Council and Instruction Council in May/June of 2012. 
  Updated policy approved by the Graduate Council August 22, 2014.