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Graduates achieve 100 percent pass rate on teacher certification exams

Teacher education graduates achieve 100 percent pass rate on teacher certification exams

Graduates of the University of Rochester teacher education programs for the 2013-14 year achieved a 100 percent pass rate on new state-required teacher certification assessments.  
 
In New York State, teaching candidates now have to pass three new licensing tests, plus content specialty exams, in order to receive initial certification. These exams include: the Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA), the Academic Literacy Skills Test (ALST), and the Educating All Students (EAS) exam.
 
The New York State Department of Education has gathered and compiled data concerning candidate performance on these examinations between Sept. 1, 2013 and Aug. 31, 2014. See the University of Rochester's scores.

Teacher education test scores
Source: NY State Higher Ed Certification Data 

The edTPA certification requirement differs from its predecessors in that it focuses on how teaching candidates’ interactions with students advance student learning. New teachers seeking licensure are required to submit an extensive portfolio—drawing from their student teaching experience—that includes lesson plans, videos of instruction, and assessments of their efforts. The overall edTPA pass rate for University graduates was 100 percent, compared to the statewide average of 81 percent.
 
The ALST measures the academic literacy skills necessary to teach effectively in New York State public schools. The test demands a high standard of reading comprehension and analysis, written expression, and written analysis. Teacher candidates at the University who took the test during the 2013-14 school year had a 100 percent pass rate and scored above the statewide average pass rate of 68 percent.
 
Designed to help new teachers address the learning needs of diverse student populations, the Educating All Students (EAS) test measures the professional and pedagogical skills necessary to teach students of all backgrounds effectively in New York State schools.  One hundred percent of program completers at the University passed the mandated EAS test. The statewide average for a first-time pass rate of this exam was 77 percent.
 
The Content Specialty Test (CST), also a component of the New York State Teacher Certification Examinations, is offered in specific subjects and typically consists of multiple-choice questions and a written assignment.  This test is aligned with NYS Learning Standards, including the Common Core, and is designed to assess knowledge in the content area of certification. The University of Rochester students received a high pass rate of 96 percent in 2013-14. The statewide average for this exam was 82 percent.
 
“We are pleased with the high pass rates of our graduates on these new teacher certification tests,” said Dean Raffaella Borasi of the Warner School. “These numbers reflect Warner’s commitment to attracting and preparing highly-qualified teachers who are knowledgeable, reflective, skilled, and well prepared to enter today’s K-12 schools.”