UNG is exemplary in Georgia's teacher prep program assessment

UNG's College of Education scored Level 4, or exemplary, in the new Preparation Program Effectiveness Measures (PPEM) developed by the Georgia Professional Standards Commission (GaPSC), for 2018 and 2019. Fewer than a quarter of the state's teacher education programs earned a 4 in these scores.

The 2018-19 results, released to the public Dec. 11, mark the first year the state has used the PPEM to determine program effectiveness.

The new measurement was formulated for program improvement, to hold teacher education programs accountable for the quality of educators they produce, and provide transparency to the public, including the K-12 education community.

"The ultimate goal of the PPEM is to improve student learning in Georgia through raising the quality of the teachers and leaders responsible for their education," said Dr. Sheri Hardee, dean of the College of Education at UNG. "That goal is aligned with UNG's College of Education, where our purpose is to ensure our students have the necessary knowledge and skill sets to perform the job of educator in the state school system at the time of graduation."

The PPEM includes a performance-based assessment of teacher candidates, the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE), a system of classroom teacher evaluations, an employer survey, and a survey of teachers at the end of their first year in the classroom.

Level 3 is the expected standard of performance for programs and providers in the state, with about 60 percent of providers earning this mark in 2019 as only about 23 percent received a 4.

The full dashboard listing of UNG's measures is available on the GaPSC website.

As it continues to excel in teacher preparation, the College of Education also has shifted its department structure to best meet the needs of students. Teacher education, previously its own department, is now divided into three departments:

• Elementary and Special Education, with Cristina Washell as department head.
• Middle Grades, Secondary and Science Education, with Chantelle Grant as department head.
• Culture, Language & Leadership, with Lauren Johnson as department head. This department includes the Appalachian Studies Center and the Center for Language Education.

In the Kinesiology Department, Dr. Jessica Miles is the new department head with Dr. Michael Gross as associate department head.

Dr. April Nelms is the new associate dean, and the college is in the search process for an assistant dean.

The College of Education at UNG offers bachelor's degrees in early childhood and special education, middle grades education, secondary education and P-12 education, and kinesiology; master's degrees in teaching, elementary education, middle grades education, curriculum and instruction, and physical education; an international baccalaureate program; and an online doctorate program in higher education.