OEQA Launches NES Pilot to Give Teacher Candidates Greater Flexibility and Support
Oklahoma’s Office of Educational Quality and Accountability (OEQA) is pleased to announce a new pilot program offering National Evaluation Series™ (NES) assessments alongside our state’s established OSATs. Beginning in Summer 2025, teacher candidates will be able to select NES assessments in select subject areas—providing more scheduling options, an alternative testing format, and expanded preparation resources, all without replacing the OSAT pathway.
Expanding Options for Candidates
We know that each teacher candidate brings a unique background, schedule and assessment preference. By offering NES assessments in parallel with OSAT, OEQA aims to:
- Increase scheduling options. More summer, fall, and winter dates mean candidates don’t have to wait months to retake an assessment or scramble for a slot.
- Provide richer preparation tools. NES delivers sample items, study guides, and full-length practice assessments designed to mirror the actual assessment.
- Reduce testing barriers. Offering an alternative format ensures the assessment process is more accessible for candidates with different strengths.
You can still choose OSAT if it’s the better fit—this pilot simply gives you more options. Our goal is simple: give you more paths to success.
Pilot Schedule and Available Subjects
All NES assessments will be delivered at existing CEOE centers. Registration opens June 3, 2025, on our CEOE site. The schedule for pilot subjects is:
June 3rd, 2025
- Blind Low Vision
- French
- German
- Middle Grades English Language Arts
- Middle Grades General Science
- Middle Grades Social Science
- Middle Grades Mathematics
August 26th, 2025
- Gifted Education
- Special Education: Hearing Impaired
October 7th, 2025
- Latin
- Russian
Whether you’re finishing a degree program this spring or planning your certification journey over the next year, these additional dates give you room to choose the timing and subject that fit your schedule.
Study Materials and Support
NES offers a suite of prep resources designed by Pearson’s assessment development team. Through our pilot, you’ll have access to:
- Study guides outlining key content domains and sample questions.
- Practice assessments with full-length items under timed conditions.
- Item analysis tools to track your strengths and focus areas.
Access to NES materials will be linked to our CEOE site. We encourage candidates to review this information early. Familiarity with item types and timing can boost confidence on assessment day.
How to Register
- Visit the CEOE site starting June 3, 2025.
- Select your subject and preferred testing window.
- Complete payment and schedule your appointment.
If you’ve already scheduled an OSAT and decide to try NES instead, simply cancel your OSAT appointment online and register for the NES.
What to Expect During the Pilot
Over the next 12 months, OEQA will track registration trends, candidate feedback, and pass rate data for all NES pilot subjects. We’ll use this information to:
- Evaluate whether parallel offerings improve candidate success and satisfaction.
- Decide on potential long-term expansion of NES options in Oklahoma.
Participants are welcome to share their experience. Your input is crucial as it helps us tailor assessment services to meet candidate needs.
A Commitment to Candidate Success
OEQA’s mission is to uphold high standards for educator preparation while reducing unnecessary barriers to certification. Launching this NES pilot is one more way we support teacher candidates:
- You gain choice: Take the assessment format that aligns with your strengths.
- You get support: Access to comprehensive prep materials at no extra cost.
- You move forward: Keep your certification timeline on track.
For full details, resource links, and registration instructions, visit our CEOE site. Registration for NES begins June 3, 2025. Explore your options—and take the next step toward your teaching career with confidence.
