Principals Give High Ratings to TAMIU College of Education Graduates, First Year Teachers in State Survey

Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) College of Education graduates working as first-year teachers in Texas scored above the state’s average in the latest Texas Education Agency (TEA) survey that gauges school principals’ satisfaction level with teachers’ preparedness.

In the 2016-2017 TEA Principal Appraisal of First Year Teachers, TAMIU College of Education graduates’ results, which were 81 percent, exceeded the state benchmark of 70 percent by 11 percent and the state average of 73 percent by eight percent.

Results were gleaned from a survey of 57 participating principals.

TAMIU College of Education Dean Dr. James O’Meara explained that the survey assesses relevant educator preparation programs’ effectiveness in getting teachers ready to succeed in the classroom.

“The results of the survey report on the percentage of first-year teachers who are designated as Sufficiently Prepared or Well Prepared based on survey ratings by their principal,” Dr. O’Meara said, “These results are significant because they indicate the high level and quality of preparation students receive at TAMIU in order to be successful as classroom teachers.”

The report further indicates that the percentage of first-year teachers appraised as Sufficiently or Well Prepared from 2015 to 2017 has also increased overall by six percent from 2014 in each of the assessed domains: Classroom Environment, from 76 to 86; Instruction, from 76 to 81; Students with Disabilities, from 72 to 83; English Language Learners, from 75 to 87; Technology Integration, from 72 to 93; and Using Technology with Data, from 74 to 88.

Dr. O’Meara attributed this success to the College of Education ‘Going Beyond’ the state requirements in three key areas of partnerships, placements and preparation.

 “Our strong partnerships with local school districts allow our candidates to spend more days in a variety of schools working with the high quality educators and supervisors connected to our educator preparation programs,” he said.

The Educator Preparation program at TAMIU is distinctive because it prepares educators to achieve quality learning outcomes in Hispanic-serving schools districts with some of the highest levels of economically disadvantaged, at-risk, English Language Learners (ELL) in the state, Dr. O’Meara said.

 “This preparation includes a degree plan for timely completion, a certification plan for career readiness, and the opportunity to earn micro-credentials by completing free online modules, “ he said, “Collectively, these unique program elements contribute to the majority, or 80% of TAMIU graduates being career educators who are employed locally and remain employed in Texas public schools for at least 10 years.”

The full survey report can be accessed at: https://tea.texas.gov/Texas_Educators/Preparation_and_Continuing_Education/Program_Provider_Resources/

Accredited by the State Board of Educator Certification, TAMIU’s College of Education offers seven undergraduate and six graduate programs as well as seven certificate programs. A full list of degree offerings can be found at http://www.tamiu.edu/coedu/index.shtml

TAMIU College of Education graduates are employed in 153 Texas school districts.

For more information, please contact Dr. O’Meara at 326.2680, email james.omeara@tamiu.edu or visit offices located in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 429A.

University office hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.