Eric.ed.gov – Report Card on the Effectiveness of Teacher Training Programs

Tennessee Code Annotated 49-5-108 specifies that the State Board of Education “with the assistance of the department of education and the Tennessee higher education commission, shall develop a report card or assessment on the effectiveness of teacher training programs.” The State Board is directed to “annually evaluate performance of each institution of higher education providing an approved program of teacher training and other state board approved teacher training programs.” The performance is meant to “focus on the performance of each institution’s graduates and shall include, but not be limited to, the following areas: (1) Placement and retention rates; (2) Performance on Praxis examinations or other tests used to identify teacher preparedness; and (3) Teacher effect data created pursuant to Section 49-1-606.” Each teacher training institution and each LEA is directed to report all data as requested by the state board of education that the board needs to make such an evaluation. The report card or assessment shall be issued no later than November 1 of each year. This report card presents the data for 2009. This year’s edition allows for the comparison of traditionally licensed and alternatively licensed teachers by institution and content area for grades 4 through 8 (math, reading / language, science, and social studies). In reviewing last year’s report, differences between outcomes when comparing the effects of teachers with three years vs. five years of experience did not convey statistically significant differences. This year’s report is focused on the value added effects of teachers with three years of teaching experience (beginning teachers). Appendices include: (1) Traditionally Licensed Teachers; (2) Alternatively Licensed Teachers; (3) Combination of Traditional & Alternatively Licensed; (4) Placement and Retention Analysis; and (5) Praxis Examinations. (Contains 9 footnotes.)