last modified : September 3, 1998

First-Ever Educator Preparation Ratings Issued

AUSTIN – Moving forward to increase the effectiveness of Texas educators, the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) today issued the first-ever ratings of universities, education service centers, and school districts that prepare teachers to work in Texas public schools. "These ratings are the first of their kind in the nation. Over time, we’re certain they will result in the increased effectiveness of beginning teachers. The ratings are another strategy for increasing the achievement of Texas students," commented Jim Nelson, Chairperson of the SBEC.

The Accountability System for Educator Preparation (ASEP) ratings are based on the number of prospective educators that pass certification exams. For an educator preparation program to receive an "Accredited" rating, it must meet, in each demographic group (total, male, female, African American, Hispanic, White, Other), the passing standards established by the SBEC.

Fifty-one of the 86 educator preparation programs met these standards and received an "Accredited" rating. Thirty-five programs did not meet the standards and received a rating of "Accredited Under Review." Teams of educators will begin work immediately to assist these programs to meet state standards within the required three years.

"ASEP ratings are based on scores from certification exams designed by Texas educators," said Pamela Tackett, Interim Executive Director of the SBEC. "The ratings system allows the education community to identify programs needing assistance as well as programs that are successful."

With ASEP’s scoring criteria, the performance of each student significantly influences an institution’s rating. As a result, programs are accountable for the performance of each and every student. If a program was rated "Accredited Under Review" due to the pass rates of a demographic group with fewer than ten students, the program may appeal the rating. Nineteen of the 35 programs rated "Accredited Under Review" are eligible to appeal their rating.

Dr. Arturo Pacheco, Dean of the College of Education at UT-El Paso and member of the SBEC, noted that the ASEP ratings have encouraged faculty to work together to improve educator preparation. "Prior to ASEP, typically the College of Education was held responsible for the quality of teachers graduating from the university. With ASEP, the whole university becomes accountable for preparing future educators." Dr. Hilda Medrano, Dean of the College of Education at UT- Pan Am, noted that, "ultimately, the students win – now they feel like they belong to the whole university rather than solely to the College of Education."

James Harris, a special education teacher in Lubbock and a member of the SBEC, drew a comparison between the ASEP ratings and the public school accountability system which has been in place since 1993: "The public schools have for a number of years been under the scrutiny of a very stringent accountability system primarily based on the TAAS test. As a result, teachers have improved their teaching skills and students are learning more." The ASEP ratings are designed to have the same impact on educator preparation.

The ASEP system was authorized in 1995 with the passage of Senate Bill 1, the rewrite of the Texas Education Code authored by Senator Bill Ratliff (R-Mt. Pleasant) and Representative Paul Sadler (D-Henderson). ASEP affects the 69 universities, 13 education service centers, and 4 school districts that are approved by the SBEC to prepare educators. A complete listing of the ASEP ratings is available at www.sbec.state.tx.us.