Weber State University
   

Teacher Education - Undergraduate

Results of Assessment

2003-2004 (submitted 09/09/04)

Introduction

The purpose for the WSU Undergraduate Teacher Education Program Outcomes and Assessments Plan is to ensure that teacher licensure candidates can demonstrate appropriate content knowledge, pedagogy, and dispositions necessary to teach all learners. Program outcomes/assessment plans are carefully crafted to be congruent with INTASC and Utah State Board of Education standards for new teachers.

INTASC and the Utah State Board of Education standards are approved for use with NCATE 2000 Standards for Teacher Preparation Programs. Such standards regularly assess teacher licensure candidates’ progress, make provision for monitoring candidates’ progress, and provide ongoing feedback for program and candidate improvement. Additionally, the Department has articulated INTASC standards with NCATE SPA standards for the following programs: Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI) for elementary education; ACEI and Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) f or the elementary/special education composite major; and National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) for early childhood education.

1. What data were collected on your student majors in 2003-2004?

A.  For licensure program provisional admission (elementary, secondary, and special education:

  • Grade point averages (GPA)
  • University general education communication, writing, mathematics, and computer literacy competencies
  • CAAP scores on reading, writing, mathematics, and critical thinking
  • Interview scores from 3-member faculty interviewing team
  • Fingerprint/criminal background clearance (as required by Utah State Law)

B.  To become a candidate for licensure:

  • Minimum grade requirements in each Teacher Education Professional Core class (candidates must earn at least a B- in each class--faculty and department secretary monitor student grades)
  • Completion rates of first two Teacher Education Professional Levels on provisional status
  • Achievements of outstanding student achievements (Professors’ Honor Roll, nominations for Department awards)
  • Results of student teaching readiness interviews

C.  To be recommended for a Utah Level I License (elementary, secondary, and special education):

  • Student teaching assessments (cooperating teacher[s], university supervisor, student teaching coordinator)
  • Licensure portfolio requirements in senior synthesis courses
  • Results of student surveys regarding: licensure program, quality of instruction, strengths and recommendations and student recommendations

D.  Teacher Work Samples - TWS/Critical Performance Indicators (CPIs) and INTASC electronic Portfolio (This is a new assessment to demonstrate a teacher candidate's content knowledge and pedagogy skills)

  • Each professional core level has defined Critical Performance Indicators (knowledge and skills teacher candidates must demonstrate to be effective teachers)
  • Teacher Work Samples are the artifacts that candidates prepare to demonstrate their mastery of Critical Performance Indicators
  • Teacher Candidates also begin to create an INTASC-based electronic portfolio (assessed at the conclusion of the licensure program that also indicates competency in knowledge, skills, and dispositions (professional attitudes)

E.  Other student/licensure program assessments:

  • Job placement rates
  • Inputs from Teacher Education advisory councils
  • Pass rates on the Praxis II Principles of Learning and Assessment (PLT) competency test (required by Utah and Federal laws)

2. When/how were these data discussed among your faculty?

A. Summary reports complied by Department chair

B.  Admission and retention rates presented to faculty by chair of Department Admission/Retention committee

C.  Pass rates on Praxis II PLT were reported to State and Federal authorities

3. What changes are anticipated as a result of these discussions?

  • Revising Teacher Education core classes to incorporate INTASC and SPA standards.
  • Continuing discussions related to proposed Federal requirements for subject-area competency tests
  • Revision of professional course licensure syllabi to incorporate INTASC outcomes and assessments.
  • Commitment on part of Teacher Education faculty to define Critical Performance Indicators (CPIs) and Teacher Work Samples (TWS) for the purpose of aligning the Department’s outcomes/assessments plan with NCATE standards.

4. What student learning outcomes will your department assess in 2004-2005?

  • Data concerning percentages of Critical Performance Indicators met.
  • Data collection forms that utilize scantron technology will be designed and used for data collection, analysis, and reporting.
  • Percentage of pass rates for Praxis II Content-Exams (being required Fall Semester 2004, this is a new outcome)
  • Results of assessments and outcomes will be reported to faculty by summary reports, licensure level committee discussions, and other communications

5. Specific recommendations from faculty concerning 2003-2004 outcomes assessment:

A. Now that CPIs and TWS have been created for each level and standard reporting form collected, please report percentages for:  Standard Met, Standard Developing, and Standard Not Met in summary reports.

B. Begin a process to capture, reduce, and interpret data from Praxis II Content Tests.

C.  Develop rubrics for scoring INTASC electronic portfolio.

D. Use the above data for NCATE accreditation, scheduled for Fall 2005.

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