Students are encouraged to conduct research and present at local and national professional conferences with faculty advisors. Teacher Education candidates are also evaluated on research and assessment and document effective use of research for planning, implementing, evaluating P-12 students’ progress, and modifying instruction based on student data, and inform their professional practice during clinical experiences.  On the Formal Observation of Student Teaching Evaluation, Domain 6: Assessment- assess and provide evidence for planning, implementing, evaluating learning experiences and the use of data literacy for reflection and improvement of teaching.  Candidates utilize formative and summative assessment data to inform instruction and to measure their students’ progress.  Candidates scored Proficient or Exemplary within this category.  The overall Mean for Fall 2015, Spring 2016, and Fall 2016 ranged from 10.83 – 15.67.

To demonstrate using research and assessment and to document effective use of research to inform professional learning, the Department of Education used Portfolio Assessment. Completed summaries of student surveys are assessed to demonstrate candidates’ ability to use student data for planning, improve P-12 learning, and modify instruction based on assessment of student data. Candidates also demonstrate the use of  research skills and assessment to document effective use of research, learning experiences that teach candidates the importance of research, and developing an understanding of the teaching profession.  Table 1 disaggregated by instruments and specific criterion that demonstrate use of research and assessment for student and professional learning:

Table 1:  Disaggregated Instrument Measures for Research and Assessment for Professional Learning

The Department of Education summarized data  for three cycles (Fall 2015, Spring 2016, and Fall 2016). Summary results from the criterion that measured candidate’s ability to use research and evidence to develop an understanding of the teaching profession to inform their own professional practice ranged from Acceptable to Target, Moderately Effective to Highly Effective, and in the majority of the cases candidates exceeded expectation.