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Survey gives high marks to C-SC teacher education
Friday, February 01, 2008

CANTON, Mo. – The Culver-Stockton College teacher education program has received high marks in a survey by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). The survey was given to first-year teachers and their principals. Culver-Stockton’s results showed many areas measured were at or above the state average.

Each year, Culver-Stockton surveys students who are beginning their teaching career as well as their cooperating teachers, but this is the first year that DESE has done a statewide survey.

The survey rated the quality of college/university teacher preparation programs in the state based on the responses from both principals and from first-year teachers, rating their own preparation. Responses from 3,091 teachers and 1,793 principals statewide showed that 84 percent of the teachers and 80 percent of the principals rated the overall quality of their teacher preparation as "good" or "very good." The surveys addressed specific aspects of teaching, such as knowledge of the subject taught, understanding of theories of learning, effectiveness in planning, teaching, and assessment, and technology use.

Culver-Stockton ranked significantly higher, by 10 or more percentage points, in facilitating higher levels of learning by employing a variety of instructional strategies, using communication skills to effectively foster learning, and using ethical instructional practices.

"We are very pleased with the feedback we received about Culver’s beginning teachers,” said Terry Sherer, chair of the Culver-Stockton division of education.

Ann Hammer, C-SC director of teacher education, added, “Culver-Stockton has a strong teacher education program, and we plan to use this data to help us in our continual efforts to strengthen our program. Our graduates are successfully pursuing careers in the teaching field and have outstanding reputations in the classroom. They are making a positive impact on student learning throughout the region.”

For more information about the teacher education program at Culver-Stockton, contact Hammer at 573-288-6438 or ahammer@culver.edu.