Friday, April 12, 2002

By Kristin Summerford, PR Intern

Wilmington, N.C.- The growing percentage of UNCW education students passing required competency tests indicates UNCW’s Watson School of Education continues to improve how it prepares teachers for the workforce.

The university’s passing rate on the Praxis II Area Specialty Test improved to 95 percent from 93.8 percent for the 2000-2001 school year and exceeded the state’s passing rate by six percent. In 10 out of 15 areas, UNCW’s passing rate was 100 percent. Of the 253 students taking the test, 240 received passing scores.

“The improvement in Praxis II Area Specialty Test passing rate is attributed to the efforts of our faculty to provide a comprehensive teacher education program as well as the quality and commitment of our students,” remarked Dr. Carol Thomas, associate dean of Donald R. Watson School of Education.

The Praxis II Area Specialty Test is one in a series of three tests required by states to measure the academic achievement and proficiency of individuals as they enter and complete teacher preparation programs. Components of the Praxis test include: elementary education, special education, middle grades education and high school course subjects. The Praxis Series tests are required in 35 out of the 43 states that use tests as part of the teacher licensure process.

With approximately 300 graduates per year, UNCW is the third largest in teacher production out of 47 other institutions in North Carolina.