Union School of Education scores high on state report card

Union University’s School of Education received excellent ratings on the effectiveness of teacher training programs from the 2023 Educator Preparation Program Report Card, published by the Tennessee State Board of Education.

The UU School of Education candidates achieved an 88.9 percent first-time pass rate for literacy assessment. In addition to this, Union received higher-than-average placement rates and retention rates compared to 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 cohort members was 13.8 percent above the state average.

“This report card ranking is tangible evidence of the hard work of our students, program completers, local education partners and university faculty and staff,” said Mandy Cates, director of accreditation and assessment at Union’s School of Education. “We are grateful to see students living out our mission of being Christ-centered educators who transform lives through their daily work in classrooms.”

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 four scored domains: candidate profile, employment, provider impact and candidate assessment.

Cates says that this reporting process is an indicator that educator preparation programs are making a difference for the quality of education in Tennessee.

“The education profession is in the midst of a significant teacher shortage, and we strive to be known as a program that prepares dedicated, knowledgeable professionals for the field,” Cates said. “It is wonderful to join our EPP peers across the state in this worthy endeavor.”

The full report card is available at teacherprepreportcard.tn.gov.