TEXAS — Texas is one step closer to adopting a new teacher exam meant to keep educators in the profession longer.  

A state board voted Friday to require a new teacher certification test that includes submitting essay questions and sample lesson plans. The current exam is all multiple choice and critics say it's a less-than-precise way of testing a new teacher's potential.

That still needs to be approved by the State Board of Education. Board chairman Keven Ellis says he still hasn’t decided if he’ll support the changes, but can see the positives.  

“The benefit of this test is that it’s a performance-based portfolio assessment,” said Ellis during an interview on Capital Tonight. “And what that means is that they are looking at the actual work product of the potential new educators.”

Proponents of the change are hoping the Educative Teacher Performance Assessment, also known as the ed-TPA, will better pinpoint what a teacher lacks so they can course correct. But those against it say it creates a barrier for people of color because it costs more. Ellis says that there have been some negotiation to find ways to cover the costs for those who can’t pay.

Ultimately, Ellis says that regardless of how the teacher certification process changes, everyone agrees change is needed.

“One of the few constants in this debate is that everyone agrees the current exam is not an adequate test of the future educator’s ability to be in the classroom," said Ellis.