UHV School of Education Recognized by State Agency
Future educators who have graduated from the University of Houston-Victoria School of Education & Human Development have passed an important test of their own.
The Texas Education Agency recently notified the school that its students averaged a passing rate of 90 percent for all groups and received a rating of “Accredited” under the Accountability System for Educator Preparation. The accreditation is based on pass rates of students on the Texas Examination of Educator Standards, which graduates must pass to become certified teachers in Texas.
“Our students performed very well on the revised TEA exams, showing an important element of preparation for their future professional roles,” says Diane Prince, interim dean of the UHV School of Education & Human Development. “This reflects the high quality of our graduates and the instructional efforts of our faculty.”
In order to be accredited, 70 percent of all participants in each of the demographic groups tracked by TEA – Hispanic, white, black, other ethnic groups, males and females – must pass certification tests on the first attempt. In addition, 80 percent of all graduates must pass the certification within 18 months of graduating.
The UHV school’s pass rates for the initial teacher certifications place it in the top 30 percent of 67 education programs in Texas, Prince said.
The most recent status was granted based on initial student pass rates between Sept. 1, 2010, and Aug. 31, 2011. The School of Education & Human Development had 347 future teachers finish the program during that period.
Carol Klages, certification officer for the UHV School of Education & Human Development, said the TEA exam included changes that raised the early childhood education certification level from fourth to sixth grade, resulting in a more challenging exam.
Please mention you found this on www.KatyMagazine.com.
