The University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s teacher preparation program earned the state’s top rating in two key categories. In the latest Tennessee Educator Preparation Report Card, UT received the top-tier “Exceeds Expectations” rating for Candidate Profile, which evaluates an institution’s ability to recruit strong teaching candidates and prepare them to teach in areas of greatest need, and Candidate Assessment, which rates how well an institution prepares candidates to pass the literacy and subject area assessments required to obtain a Tennessee teaching license.
“UT continues to lead Tennessee in both scale and quality. Our recent graduates are prepared in areas where Tennessee needs them most, including early childhood and special education, science and world languages,” said David Cihak, associate dean of professional educator programs and director of UT’s Bailey Graduate School of Education. “UT teachers enter classrooms ready, make an immediate impact and remain committed to advancing outcomes for Tennessee students.”
UT has grown to be one of the top-producing educator preparation programs in the state. More than 90% of UT teacher graduates stay in Tennessee, and education alumni from the last three years are currently employed in 63 districts across the state, including rural and high-need communities.
Issued annually by the Tennessee State Board of Education, the report card evaluates educator preparation programs based on criteria such as teacher effectiveness and employment outcomes. UT’s overall rating of “Meets Expectations” reflects the university’s commitment to helping solve a widespread teacher shortage and meet demands for quality educators willing to serve in high-demand subject areas.
Expanding access and making an impact
To help meet the demand for high-quality teachers, UT continues to find new ways to expand opportunities for aspiring educators. Earlier this year, the university and Knox County Schools announced the launch of the Teach Knox Fellows program, a partnership aimed at investing in, preparing and supporting the professional development of 30 special education teachers annually at no cost to participants. The initiative is part of UT-PLAYS (Personalized Learning At Your Speed), a flexible online education program for initial licensure as well as math and special education endorsements. VolsTeach, another signature undergraduate pathway program, offers a range of field-based experiences and ongoing school-based teacher preparation for students working toward bachelor’s degrees in education, math and science.
Even as UT has expanded enrollment and increased completion rates by making teacher preparation programs more accessible, the university has maintained rigorous standards — continuing to graduate well-equipped, highly effective teachers who meet the evolving needs of Tennessee students.
Within their first three years in the workforce, 93% of UT education graduates meet or exceed expectations on classroom observation scores, and 87% meet or exceed expectations in overall effectiveness. In addition, UT education graduates achieve state assessment pass rates of 95% — well above the state average of 87%.
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