Teacher Education Follow-Up Study, 1995.

Overview & Synopsis

This seventh follow-up study assessed Central Missouri State University's teacher education programs by soliciting input from faculty, preservice teacher education candidates, graduates, and employers (principals). The 1995 data revealed that 59 percent of the previous year's graduating class secured full-time teaching positions in Missouri. Thirty percent of the student population in the Foundations of Education courses were male; seven percent listed cultural backgrounds other than white. Students rated their student teaching experience very high and their advice/counseling received from academic advisors lowest. Eighty-one percent of graduates (first and second year teachers) stated they would enroll in a teacher preparation program again, while 72 percent planned on teaching 5 years or more from now. Fifty-six percent of principals hiring Central's graduates felt that the teachers were strongly prepared for their current positions. During the past 5 years, regular education graduates took 10.9 semesters to complete their degrees, up from 9.9 semesters the previous 5 years. Detailed survey data and copies of survey forms are appended. Data on students' successful and unsuccessful attempts on the College Basic Academic Subjects Examination, an admissions test for acceptance into the teacher education program at Central, are also provided. (JDD)