Ten programs were rated "accredited--under review" and one program was not rated because it has not enrolled students in its program for the past two years.

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 achieve an "accredited" rating, it must meet the passing standards established by the board in each demographic group (total, male, female, African American, Hispanic, White and other).

"Our figures are strong," said Kenneth Craycraft, dean of the College of Education and Applied Science. "Our students are performing well."

The two year pass rate percentages for Sam Houston State students in each category, and their comparisons to statewide averages, include:

All students (94.89/92.67), female students (95.65/93.57), male students (91.79/89.83), African American (87.27/79.83), Hispanic (89.74/88.22), White (95.70/95.66) and Other (75.00/85.92).

The board also issued commendations to 44 programs that produced a diverse population of teacher candidates when compared to regional or state population diversity, and to programs that produced teachers in regional or state high-need subject areas. Sam Houston State was not recognized in either of these two categories.

Craycraft called the Sam Houston State performance a "collective faculty effort" throughout the university, not just the College of Education and Applied Science alone. He was especially pleased, he said, because "Sam Houston State raised our expectations, not just admission score requirements" to improve ratings.

Pamela Tackett, the board's executive director, said she was encouraged by the 1999 ratings.

"While we still have work to do, there is no doubt that the accountability system is making a difference," she said. "More and more universities are beginning to act on the belief that teacher preparation is the responsibility of the entire institution, not just the college of education.

"And programs are scrutinizing their curriculum and instructional methods with the active involvement of public school educators to ensure that what is being taught to prospective teachers aligns with the realities of teaching in today's public schools."

Programs rated "accredited--under review" included the Fort Worth Independent School District, Huston-Tillotson College, Paul Quinn College, Prairie View A&M University, Stephen F. Austin State University, Sul Ross State University, Sul Ross State University Rio Grande College (Uvalde), Texas A&M University (Commerce), Texas Woman's University and Wiley College. Texas College (Tyler) had no candidates in the past two years.

- END -
For more information, see the State Board for Educator Certification Web site.

SHSU Media Contact: Frank Krystyniak
September 28, 1999
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