Texas A&M International University

ASSESSMENT REPORT

FOR

Bachelor of Science Degree in All Level Special Education (BS)
Instructional Degree Program

Fall 2003
Assessment Period Covered

January 28, 2004
Date Submitted

Expanded Statement of Institutional Purpose Linkage:
Institutional Mission Reference:
Texas A&M International University, a Member of The Texas A&M University System, is committed to the preparation of students for leadership roles in their chosen profession and in increasingly complex, culturally diverse state, national, and global society … Through instruction, faculty and student research, and public service, Texas A&M International University is a strategic point of delivery for well-defined programs and services that improve the quality of life for citizens of the border region, the State of Texas, and national and international communities.

College/University Goal(s) Supported:
The mission of the College of Education at Texas A&M International University is to provide for educators a comprehensive and coherent professional development system that links all aspects of the educational profession. Through educational experiences provided by this system, educators will be prepared to provide learner-centered instructional experiences that promote excellence and equity for all students in the field.

Intended Administrative Objectives:
1. Students completing the special education program will compare favorably statewide with their understanding of learners with special needs.

2.Students completing the special education program will compare favorably statewide with their understanding of working in a collaborative learning community.

3.Students completing the special education program will demonstrate the skills related to implementing effective, responsive instruction and assessment.

ASSESSMENT REPORT

FOR

Bachelor of Science Degree in All Level Special Education (BS)
Instructional Degree Program

Fall 2003
Assessment Period Covered

January 28, 2004
Date Submitted

Intended Educational (Student) Outcome:
NOTE: There should be one form for each intended outcome listed. The intended outcome should be restated in the box immediately below and the intended outcome number entered in the blank spaces.

1. Students completing the special education program will compare favorably statewide with their understanding of learners with special needs.

First Means of Assessment for Outcome Identified Above:
1a. Means of Program Assessment & Criteria for Success:
The students will successfully complete a TExES Review and earned a minimal of 80% on the TExES Pretest in Domain 1, Understanding Learners with Special Needs.

a. Summary of Assessment Data Collected
The undergraduate students (N=3) scored 80%+ on the ExCET/TexES Pretest in Domain 1. The mean score of Domain 1 was 87.3%.

a. Use of Results to Improve Unit Services:
The previous focus on coursework regarding Domain 1 has improved students’ performances in this area. At present, the department is transitioning from an ExCET pretest to a TexES pretest, as a result of the changes in the state-mandated certification examination.

Second Means of Assessment for Outcome Identified Above:
1b. Means of Program Assessment & Criteria for Success:
The average score of students completing the special education program will be 240 on the Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TexES) in Domain 1, Understanding Learners with Special Needs. The special education department is transitioning from the ExCET to the TexES examination.

b. Summary of Assessment Data Collected:
The undergraduate students (N=4) scored a mean of 245.25 on Domain 1 of the TExES. Seventy-five percent of the students (N=3) scored above 240 on Domain 1, Understanding Learners with Special Needs.

b. Use of Results to Improve Unit Service:
Based on the assessment data collected, this objective was successfully achieved. Due to the low number of students involved, the special education department will maintain this objective.

ASSESSMENT REPORT

FOR

Bachelor of Science Degree in All Level Special Education (BS)
Instructional Degree Program

Fall 2003
Assessment Period Covered

January 28, 2004
Date Submitted

Intended Educational (Student) Outcome:
NOTE: There should be one form for each intended outcome listed. Intended outcome should be restated in the box immediately below and the intended outcome number entered in the blank spaces.

2.Students completing the special education program will compare favorably statewide with their understanding of working in a collaborative learning community.

First Means of Assessment for Outcome Identified Above:
2a. Means of Program Assessment & Criteria for Success:
The students will successfully complete an ExCET/TExES Review and earned a minimal of 80% on the ExCET/TExES Pretest in Domain 3, ‘Working in a Collaborative Learning Community.’

a. Summary of Assessment Data Collected
100% (N=4) of the undergraduate students scored +70% on the ExCET/TExES Pretest in Domain 3. The mean score for Domain 3 was 92%.

a. Use of Results to Improve Unit Services:
This objective will be discontinued because it is no longer a valid domain on the new Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES).

Second Means of Assessment for Outcome Identified Above:
2b. Means of Program Assessment & Criteria for Success:
The average score of students completing the special education program will be 70% on the Examination for the Certification of Educational in Texas (ExCET/TExES) in Domain 3, ‘Working in a Collaborative Learning Community’

b. Summary of Assessment Data Collected:
This domain is not assessed on the TExES and this objective will be discontinued.

b. Use of Results to Improve Unit Service:
This domain is not assessed on the TExES and this objective will be discontinued. Changes to the undergraduate degree are being proposed by the special education department to align the degree to the new domains and standards of the Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES) examination

ASSESSMENT REPORT

FOR

Bachelor of Science Degree in All Level Special Education (BS)
Instructional Degree Program

Fall 2003
Assessment Period Covered

3.Students completing the special education program will demonstrate the skills related to implementing effective, responsive instruction and assessment.

First Means of Assessment for Outcome Identified Above:
3a. Means of Program Assessment & Criteria for Success:
Obtain and analyze data regarding the Field Performance Evaluation to determine effectiveness of the special education program.

a. Summary of Assessment Data Collected
75% (N=3) of the undergraduate students had excellent (90%+) Field Performance Evaluations. 25% (N=1) was on House Bill 1130 which allowed him to substitute course work for teaching internship because he was serving as an instructional aide in the public school.

a. Use of Results to Improve Unit Services:
Faculty will develop a method to assess undergraduate students under House Bill 1130.

Second Means of Assessment for Outcome Identified Above:
3b. Means of Program Assessment & Criteria for Success:
Students completing the special education program will provide evidence of knowledge and performance in special education through a portfolio defense using a common rubric. The evaluation criteria for the rubric will be 70% of stated portfolio requirements.

b. Summary of Assessment Data Collected:
100% (N=2) of undergraduate students scored a mean of 95% of stated portfolio requirements; students earned a mean of 87.3% on the standard questions of the rubric.

3b. Use of Results to Improve Instructional Program:
Based on the standard questions, special education courses need to focus on questions 5, 7, 10, and 15. Question #5 of the standard questions will be rewritten, and question #10 will be removed because it is vague.