Ratliff Recieves First Chapter Grant from Kappa Delta Pi
Miranda Ratliff is the recipient of the first chapter grant from Kappa Delta Pi, an international honor society in education.
Applicants must be active members of the KDP chapter and demonstrate leadership in the chapter as well as potential as a professional educator.
Miranda’s leadership ability was evident in a recent class, where the faculty member shared the following about a classroom activity: “I noticed that Miranda emerged as a leader in this team project. She brought resources to share with the other teacher candidates, and she motivated the team to stay on track.” The following excerpt from her essay demonstrates her potential as an educator: “I plan to always work hard on getting to know my students so that they are the ones that benefit the most out of our interactions. I know that students come in every size, shape, color, intellect and behavioral issue. This does not sound discouraging to me, but rather an opportunity to allow myself to grow.”
UCA Graduates Exceed State Average in Classroom Teaching Performance Assessment
UCA graduates execeeded state average in classroom teaching performance assessment, according to the 2010 Praxis III results recently released by the Arkansas Department of Education. The Praxis III assessment is a classroom teaching performance assessment that is required to qualify for a standard teaching license in Arkansas. This assessment is done after an individual begins teaching with the three-year initial teaching license and is typically completed at the end of the first year of teaching. The 2010 PRAXIS III Assessment revealed a state average score of 51.4 with a standard deviation of 2.6; the highest score possible and also earned was 57; the minimum passing score is 45.
The 2010 UCA Praxis III results are identified by the route of preparation the person completed to qualify for the initial teaching license. UCA has two approved initial teacher preparation programs — the traditional undergraduate program and the Master of Arts in Teaching program. Other graduates from UCA that are identified in the Praxis III results have completed a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree, but have elected to enter the Non-Traditional Licensure Program administered by the Arkansas Department of Education. The results from all three initial licensure routes indicate that UCA graduates meet required classroom performance standards to earn a standard Arkansas teaching license. Specifically, teaching performance assessed with the Praxis III indicates that individuals prepared through the Master of Arts in Teaching have a somewhat higher average performance score (52.7) than that of other UCA student groups. The second highest average (52.2) was made by those prepared in the traditional undergraduate teacher education program. Those UCA graduates completing the Non-Traditional Licensure Program had the lowest average score (51.5). The UCA College of Education celebrates with all UCA graduates who have successfully completed this assessment and who are teaching in Arkansas schools.
Teachers United Students Support Conway Public Schools Referendum
Members of UCA’s Teachers United, a recognized student organization in the College of Education, recently answered a call for help from Conway Public Schools and the Conway 2012 Committee. After hosting Jan Spann, a 2012 Committee member, as a guest speaker for the September Teachers United meeting in Mashburn Hall, several UCA students volunteered to help the committee and school district generate support for the passing of a millage increase that will fund renovation of Conway High School West and support construction projects to benefit Conway students. Volunteers distributed informational fliers at Conway athletic events and called registered voters to encourage support of the millage increase, which passed on September 21st. The relationship between UCA’s College of Education and Conway Public Schools has a long history of mutually beneficial cooperation. Thank you Teachers United members for your continuation of this tradition: Haley White, Lynzie Lamb, Casey Hoanzl, and Ashley Westerman.
UCA Education Faculty Receive Assessment Training
Twenty UCA education faculty were trained by The Learning Institute (TLI) to be able to incorporate TLI assessment measures into their teacher/administrator coursework. The Learning Institute is a private company that assists school districts with aligning curriculum, teaching and assessing curriculum, reviewing formative student assessment data, and taking action to improve student learning and instruction based on assessment data. TLI also provides mathematics and literacy developmental assessments which help to determine strengths and weaknesses in curriculum and instruction. The Institute provides a variety of reporting services so that teachers and administrators can teach to the needs of the students. Quentin Suffren, chief academic officer of TLI, and Jessica Allen, professional development specialist, provided the five-hour training and explained the TLI web portal procedures, report navigation, and historical data retrieval for Arkansas public schools. This training opportunity will enhance assessment courses in UCA’s educator preparation programs.