JACKSON, Tenn. — March 16, 2023 — Union University’s School of Education received excellent ratings on the effectiveness of teacher training programs from the 2022 Educator Preparation Program Report Card, published by the Tennessee State Board of Education.
The UU School of Education candidates achieved a 90.5 percent pass rate for literacy assessment. In addition to this, Union received higher-than-average placement rates and retention rates of other Tennessee public schools, and Union’s candidate assessment rating exceeded expectations, demonstrating pass rates above the state averages in all categories.
In the area of candidate profile, Union University’s percentage of racially diverse completers was 12.9 percent above the state average.
“We are blessed to have dedicated students, faculty and local education partners who work hard to support these students in their preparation,” said Mandy Cates, director of accreditation and assessment at Union’s School of Education. “It is wonderful to see this hard work represented publicly among our educator preparation program colleagues.”
The Tennessee State Board of Education report card is designed to give educator preparation programs information they can use to improve effectiveness by rating the program’s overall performance across three scored domains: candidate profile, employment and provider impact.
Krista Robertson, a senior in Union University’s educator preparation program, said Union’s School of Education has equipped her professionally and spiritually as she prepares to graduate from Union and teach full-time at Andrew Jackson Elementary School in Jackson, Tenn.
“My professors have helped me see that teaching is my mission field; they always tell us that our kids are made in the image of God.” Robertson said. “I feel more prepared having my own classroom after being in [Union’s educator preparation program], but I know I will always be learning something new.”
The full report card is available at teacherprepreportcard.tn.gov.