Introduction to the School of Education

The Stillman College School of Education (SOE) is dedicated to preparing educators who are reflective practitioners, capable of meeting the diverse needs of learners in a global society. The SOE adheres to the standards set by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), with reaffirmation of CAEP accreditation on October 24, 2024. The institution itself is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), ensuring high academic standards across all programs.

The EPP offers a range of state-certified programs, including:

  • Elementary Education K-6
  • Collaborative Teacher/Special Education K-6
  • General Science (Biology), 6-12
  • English/Language Arts, 6-12
  • Social Science (History), 6-12
  • Mathematics, 6-12
  • Physical Education P-12
  • Human Performance (Non-certification)
  • Visual Arts Education P-12
  • Instrumental Music P-12
  • Vocal-Choral Music P-12

The Educator Preparation Program (EPP) has successfully completed the Alabama Continuous Improvement Program Review, and is also approved to issue secondary school endorsements in various subjects. The college’s focus on data-informed decision-making and continuous improvement ensures that graduates are well-equipped to meet the educational needs of P-12 students.

CAEP Annual Reporting Measures

The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) requires programs to provide performance measures to the public regarding four categories related to program impact and program outcomes.  The items below provide summary data for each of the four measures.

CAEP Annual Reporting Measure 1: Completer effectiveness

Overview: The Stillman College School of Education tracks the effectiveness of its completers to measure the impact of the educator preparation program. This measure focuses on the ability of completers to contribute to P-12 student learning and their professional practice in the classroom.

Data Summary: Due to limitations in direct student learning data from the Alabama State Department of Education, the EPP uses case studies to assess completer effectiveness. The case study approach incorporates multiple data points, such as:

  • i-Ready Diagnostic for Reading (Elementary Education)
  • National Physical Fitness Assessment (Physical Education)
  • Tuscaloosa City Schools Educator Observation Tool
  • Alabama Teacher Observation Tool (ATOT)
  • Cognia’s Effective Learning Environments Observation Tool (eleot)

EPP Supporting Data:
Completer Impact on Student Learning Scores

Teacher Effectiveness (Principals Evaluations)

Key Findings:

  1. Student Growth: Despite socioeconomic challenges, all completers made a positive impact on student achievement, particularly in reading. There was a significant reduction in the percentage of students categorized as “high-risk” of failure.
  2. Professional Skills:
    • Strength: Completers excelled in fostering positive, inclusive classroom environments and building strong teacher-student relationships.
    • Area for Improvement: Additional training is needed in foundational reading and literacy instruction.

CAEP Annual Reporting Measure 2: Satisfaction of employers

Overview: The EPP gathers feedback from employers to evaluate how well completers are prepared for the teaching profession. Employer satisfaction is assessed through the Alabama New Teacher Employer Survey, where principals and administrators evaluate first- and second-year teachers.

Data Summary:

  • ALACTE New Teacher Employer Survey shows that Stillman College’s completers perform at or above the level of Alabama’s state counterparts across all measured InTASC categories.
  • The Alabama Association of Colleges for Teacher Education survey indicates that a majority of employers rate Stillman completers as “Effective” or “Emerging,” with minimal “Ineffective” ratings.

EPP Supporting Data:
2024 ALACATE New Teacher Employer Results

2021-2023 ALACATE New Teacher Survey Table

Key Findings:

Employers also express a need for continued support in helping teachers implement differentiated instruction and adapt to diverse student needs.

Employers report high satisfaction with Stillman College graduates, particularly in their ability to integrate technology and instructional strategies into classroom practice.

CAEP Annual Reporting Measure 3: Candidate competency at completion

Overview: This measure assesses how well candidates perform on licensing exams and professional assessments as they complete the program, ensuring that they meet the requirements for entry into the teaching profession.

Data Summary:

  • edTPA Scores: Two out of three completers passed the edTPA for the 2023-2024 cycle, showcasing strong performance in demonstrating classroom teaching competencies.
  • PRAXIS Exam Pass Rates: A 100% pass rate for all candidates on the PRAXIS Subject Area Tests in the 2023-2024 cycle.
  • IS-PPR Scores: Completers performed well in areas of professionalism, instructional strategies, and classroom management. Data from the IS-PPR rubric reflects consistent growth in professional responsibility, ethics, and reflective practices.

EPP Supporting Data:
edTBA 2018-2024 Data Summary

IS-PPR 2020-2024 Data Cycle

Key Findings:

PRAXIS Success: The 100% pass rate for PRAXIS demonstrates the program’s success in preparing completers to meet state licensure requirements.

edTPA Performance: While a majority of completers passed the edTPA, there is a need for further development in literacy instruction strategies, particularly in the areas of reading comprehension and writing instruction.


CAEP Annual Reporting Measure 4: Ability of Completers to be hired

Overview: This measure tracks the ability of completers to secure employment in education positions within the field of their preparation.

Data Summary:

  • 2022-2023 Completers: There were no completers for the 2022-2023 academic year.
  • 2023-2024 Completers: Three completers have already interviewed for positions for Fall 2024, and two have secured teaching positions.

Key Findings:

The availability of placements continues to be a positive factor, with many completers seeking employment in districts that value Stillman College graduates for their readiness to teach.

A strong correlation exists between program completion and employment success, as evidenced by the 100% job placement rate for the 2021-2022 completers.

Next Steps and Ongoing Improvements

The Stillman College EPP will continue to collect data and analyze its impact on student learning and teacher effectiveness. This will include:

  • Annual Survey Pilot and Refinement: The Employer Satisfaction and Completer Satisfaction surveys will be piloted in Spring 2025, with full data collection and analysis scheduled for Fall 2025. Feedback from the pilot phase will be used to refine the surveys.
  • Ongoing Data Collection: The EPP will continue to use case studies, surveys, and the data from assessments to track trends in completer effectiveness. Annual reporting will provide valuable insights for program improvements, ensuring that all instruments remain valid, reliable, and relevant.

Final Summary

In conclusion, the Stillman College EPP has made significant strides in aligning its programs with CAEP and state standards, ensuring high-quality teacher preparation. Through its rigorous data collection, analysis, and continuous improvement process, the EPP is committed to fostering educator excellence, improving student outcomes, and enhancing the overall teaching profession.

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