Unit-Wide Assessments
Clinical Experience Focus Groups
KSU is in the process of conducting focus groups with teachers and other school personnel. Focus groups are conducted school-by-school and include partners from all campuses and grade levels. The teacher education programs have gained important insights regarding clinical experience, employer needs, and general perceptions of program quality from these groups.
Clinical Experience Surveys
Evaluations of university supervisors (KSU clinical faculty) and mentor teachers. Each group is evaluated on a set of characteristics deemed important by KSU. Supervisors evaluate teachers, and teachers evaluate supervisors. KSU teacher candidates (i.e., student teachers) also evaluate both groups. If a student has multiple supervisors and/or mentor teachers, they will be asked to complete a separate evaluation for each.
Disposition Assessments 1, 2, and 3
A multifaceted analytical rubric with four performance levels. It is used to evaluate teacher candidates on critical professional dispositions. Version 1 occurs early in the program and contains a fewer number of items than Disposition Assessments 2 and 3. The item text and expectations are the same across all instruments.
Employer Study
KSU has embarked on a study of employer satisfaction by reaching out to schools in Ohio with three or more recent KSU completers. This study is ongoing.
Kent Summative Teacher Education Project (K-STEP)
An analytical rubric consisting of 16 indicators and three performance levels. Evaluators review teacher candidate videos and reflective writing during student teaching to complete the rubric.
Non-Academic Dimensions
A seven criteria, four performance level rubric is used to evaluate applicants at the program admission stage for important non-academic characteristics. The rubric is designed to be used with an array of potential evidence sources (letters of recommendation, essays, interviews, etc.).
Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE)
The licensing exams for the state of Ohio; each candidate completes an assessment of professional knowledge (APK) test, which focuses on pedagogy, and then nearly every program has one or more content-area tests.
ODHE Evaluation Data
The Ohio Department of Education and Ohio Department of Higher Education make certain data available to KSU in the aggregate. These include persistence in the field (4 years), Value-Added reports for specific subjects/grade bands, Ohio Teacher Evaluation System (OTES) results, and Resident Educator program pass rates.
ODHE Surveys
The Ohio Department of Higher Education sends a Pre-service Teacher Survey to KSU candidates during their final student teaching experience and a Resident Educator Survey during their professional induction program. The results are shared with KSU with identifying information removed. The instrument contains approximately fifty items and has a 4-point scale (strongly agree to strongly disagree).
Student Teaching Evaluation
An observation rubric with 21 criteria and four performance levels; it is completed by the university supervisor at two points during the final student teaching experience. The instrument is also completed by the mentor teacher. If a student has multiple placements (e.g., Health Education/Physical Education, Middle Childhood), they will have multiple evaluations.