JACKSON, Tenn. — Feb. 20, 2020 — 黑料论坛鈥檚 School of Education has been rated in the highest category on the Tennessee State Board of Education鈥檚 report card on the effectiveness of teacher training programs for the fourth year in a row.
The university received 鈥淓xceeds Expectations鈥� for its overall performance. This year, the Board of Education redesigned its ranking scale from a 1-4 rating to a three-tier system: 鈥淓xceeds Expectations,鈥� 鈥淢eets Expectations鈥� and 鈥淒oes Not Meet Expectations.鈥� Union is one of only nine educator preparation programs out of 39 in the state to achieve the highest ranking this year.
鈥淲e are honored to receive this rating, as it is confirmation that we are attracting high-quality teacher candidates, contributing to a diverse teaching population and supporting districts in their efforts to staff high-need endorsement positions,鈥� said Mandy Cates, director for accreditation and assessment in Union鈥檚 School of Education. 鈥淢ost importantly, this rating demonstrates that our hard-working graduates are making a tangible difference in their students鈥� lives 鈥� and that is what we value most.鈥�
Union was evaluated based upon graduates who completed the undergraduate, graduate and Memphis Teacher Residency programs between 2016 and 2019. The report, designed to give educator preparation programs information they can use to improve effectiveness, rates their overall performance across three scored domains: candidate profile, employment and provider impact.
One of the most prevalent issues in education today is the retention of high-quality teachers, Cates said. According to the report, Union graduates are more likely to remain in the teaching profession, with a three-year retention rate of 87.5 percent. The state average is 83.6 percent.
鈥淗ere at Union, we view teaching as a God-given calling,鈥� Cates said. 鈥淲e are blessed to work with wonderful students who are dedicated to becoming the most effective teachers that they can be. This report card is a testament to their efforts, and we are very proud of each of them.鈥�
The full report card is available at .