Accreditation
The vision of the U of A Teacher Education is to be a leader in the preparation of educational professionals based on essential knowledge, evolving technology, research findings, and reflective practice in a diverse and dynamic global society. The University of Arkansas graduates are prepared to become: 1) Knowledgeable, 2) Skillful, 3) Caring, and 4) Professional educators in diverse educational settings who can balance the needs and aspirations of each learner with the expectations of an increasingly complex and technological society.
Our educators are teachers, administrators, counselors, and other school professionals who value theory and research, understand that theory and practice are complementary and mutually reinforcing, and are committed to the enhancement of teaching, learning, and professional practice.
General EPP Profile
The University of Arkansas has educator preparation programs for 26 initial licensure areas including combined licensure areas such as Physics/Math, Speech/Drama, and Vocal/Instrumental Music. The below document lists all licensure areas with their approved programs and accreditation status.
Initial Licensure Areas, Accreditation Organization and Status (Google Doc)
Advanced-level programs are defined by CAEP as educator preparation programs at the post-baccalaureate or graduate levels leading to licensure, certification, or endorsement. Advanced-level programs are designed to develop P-12 teachers who have already completed an initial preparation program, currently licensed administrators, other certificated (or similar state language) school professionals for employment in P-12 schools/districts. The University of Arkansas currently officers advanced level programs for 17 endorsement areas.
Advanced Programs, Accreditation Organization and Status (Google Doc)
Completer Data includes the number of completers for each program and licensure area. Competers are defined as a candidate who successfully completes all program requirements of a teacher preparation program. The University of Arkansas does not exclude candidates from this count if they have not passed all licensure tests.
Initial Programs Completer Data 2020-2021 (Google Doc)
Advanced Programs Completer Data 2020-2021 (Google Doc)
CAEP Accreditation Status & Accountibility Measures
Initial and advanced level teacher education programs at the University of Arkansas were granted accreditation by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation effective Spring 2020 through Spring 2027.
CAEP University of Arkansas Accreditation Report 2020
CAEP Accreditation Notification Letter
CAEP Accountibility Measures contains information on the following: (a) completer impact and effectiveness, (b) employer satisfaction and stakeholder involvement, (c) candidate competency at the time of program completion, and (d) ability of completers to be hired in positions for which they were prepared.
Each spring our state as well as our institution collects information from our first year completers (graduates). The purpose of these surveys is to identify novice teacher perceptions of their educator preparation experience. For the state, they base all responses on the components from the state observation tool based on Danielson’s Frameworks for Teaching. The university’s survey is aligned with the InTASC standards. We had a 58% return rate for the state data and15% return rate from the university survey. The lower return rate could be due to a large proportion of our graduates teaching virtually and not receiving our survey through the mail. Overall, the completers reported that they felt prepared or well-prepared in all aspects of education. Both surveys identified classroom management and communication with families as challenges for novice teachers.
In addition to data from completers and employers, the Arkansas Department of Education provide the institution with an Education Preparation Provider Growth Report. This report is prepared by the state department using value-added growth scores of ELA, Math, and Science classroom data where the completer was the teacher of record. For all three subjects, U of A completers either met or exceeded expected growth.
Arkansas Educational Preparation Provider Growth Report
Razorback Legacy Survey (includes Impact Data)
Each spring our state as well as our institution collects information from employers
of our first year completers (graduates). The purpose of these surveys is to identify
supervisor/employer perceptions of the preparation of completers from our teacher
education programs. For the state, they base all responses on the components from
the state observation tool, Danielson’s Frameworks for Teaching. The university’s survey is aligned with the InTASC Standards. There was an 18% return rate for the state instrument and a 55% return rate for
the university survey. Two areas that we would like to focus on concerning the data
are in the area of utilizing assessments both to evaluate and guide instruction (82%
reported that our completers were either prepared or well-prepared). This correlates
with the state survey that found that our employers rated our students a 2.9 out of
4 in the area of 3d: using assessment in instruction. Some caution should be exercised
when interpreting this data broadly as the % return rate is lower for the state survey.
Our institution tracks our candidates’ competency at program completion by tracking the passing of all required licensure exams. Some tests are required by the state of Arkansas (Praxis II and for some programs Foundations of Reading Test) and others are required by the program (Praxis PLT and Assessment of Pedagogy). When possible, we note test attempts, mean scores, range, and percent pass at the EPP, state, and national levels for comparison.
For the 2021 cycle, candidates ranged from 80% - 100% passing rate. For programs with less than 5 candidates, this information was not included. In the last three years, our institution has made great strides in supporting students preparing for licensure tests. This is reflected in the small numbers of students needing to retake tests.
A Graduate Employment Survey is sent every fall to graduates (also referred to as completers) in teacher education to determine job status.
For the last three cycles of data, our completers report that they are successfully finding employment as teachers. The percentage of completers staying in Arkansas has been around 50% in the last three years. Graduates in 2021 represent the highest number of graduates finding jobs in Arkansas (76%) . The majority of our completers self-report receiving a salary between $40,000-50,000, with 31% receiving above $50,000.
In 2021, 22% of completers/graduates moved out of state for a teaching position. Next to Arkansas, Texas (16%) represents the largest employer of our graduates. Graduates who are from out of state typically go back to their home state to seek employment.
Employment Data Charts for Graduates
