GREENEVILLE – A recent evaluation of Tusculum University graduates who are teaching in Tennessee schools shows they are exceeding state averages in their observation scores from principals as well as in student academic growth and levels of overall effectiveness.
Dr. Peggy Rochelle teaches a class.
The most recent report from the Tennessee State Board of Education also shows Tusculum graduates are staying in the profession at higher rates than the state norm.
“These excellent results demonstrate the strength of our teacher preparation programs, the caliber and dedication of our faculty and staff members and the commitment of our students to make a difference in children’s lives,” said Dr. Tricia Hunsader, Tusculum’s provost and vice president of academic affairs, who also serves as dean of the College of Education. “Our rigorous and thoughtfully constructed program gives our students the tools to succeed, and we are pleased to earn this recognition.”
Here are some specific results from the state.
- The percentage of Tusculum graduates whose principals scored them as meeting expectations is 96.7 compared to the state average of 95.2. The percentage exceeding expectations is 67.9 versus the state average of 59.5.
- The percentage of Tusculum-trained teachers with level of overall effectiveness scores that meet expectations is 95.7, while the state average is 91.6. Those who exceeded expectations are 69.4% compared to 59.8% throughout the state.
- Student growth as measured in the Tennessee Value-Added Assessment System met expectations for 62% of Tusculum-trained teachers versus the state average of 59.5%. The percentage who exceeded expectations was 26, while the state average was 25.2.
- The percentage of Tusculum graduates who remain teaching in Tennessee public schools for a second year is 97.9 compared to the state average of 94. Those who stay for a third year is 91.1%, while the state average is 83.6%.
Dr. Hunsader said the results highlight many ways Tusculum sets a high standard in its teacher preparation programs.
For example, she said the percentages of graduates who are staying in the public school system show Tusculum prepares its students well for all facets of the classroom teacher’s role. She said the College of Education is also focused on helping students discover whether the teaching profession is their calling by providing clinical experiences early in the program.
“When those early classroom experiences lead a student to pursue a different career path, we provide advising support to minimize their time to graduation and enable them to succeed in their newly chosen field,” Dr. Hunsader said. “If they are not meant to be teachers, they are not landing in the classroom, which is an important part of the college’s responsibility to the profession. At the same time, the ratio of Tusculum-trained teachers who are going into the classroom and staying there is quite impressive.”
Dr. Hunsader said the College of Education also has an excellent student teaching program.
“Our students are embedded in area schools for three semesters,” she said. “They receive excellent supervision from those schools, and we also have team of clinical supervisors from Tusculum who go there to observe our students and stay in regular contact with them and their supervising teachers. We really excel at that. It is important for us to maintain this contact, ensure everything is going smoothly and provide needed support.”
For more information about the College of Education, please visit https://web.tusculum.edu/collegeofeducation/.