COLUMBUS -- The success of Ohio State University students on a national examination for new teachers demonstrates the university’s dedication to preparing top-notch educators.

“Ohio State has been a national leader in education for decades, and our students’ success on their licensing exams shows we continue to graduate outstanding teachers,” said President William E. Kirwan.

The pass rates are being announced today as part of Title II, a federal law that requires U.S. public and private institutions that prepare teachers to report on the effectiveness of their programs.

In Ohio, some 50 institutions are sending the Ohio Department of Education their students’ results on Praxis II, the national test for future teachers that is similar to the bar exam for aspiring lawyers. ODE will send the reports to the federal government in the fall. Ohio’s cut rates, or passing scores, are the third highest in the nation.

Almost every Ohio State student who completed his or her training in 1999-2000 passed Praxis II. They were tested on their general knowledge and professional skills, plus their knowledge in a specific discipline such as mathematics or foreign language. The institutional pass rate for all OSU students across all tests taken was 98 percent, compared to the statewide pass rate of 91 percent.

“Our Praxis II scores are consistently high, which demonstrates the strength of the college’s programs,” said Donna Browder Evans, dean of the College of Education at Ohio State. “The scores also show the citizens of Ohio that we send only the best of the best into their children’s schools.”

A total of 99 percent of future high school teachers passed Principles of Learning and Teaching for grades 7-12, while 95 percent passed Principles of Learning and Teaching for grades kindergarten-6th grade, and 91 percent passed the category for grades 5-9.

A total of 100 percent of Ohio State students passed five teaching specialties, called academic content areas: education in the elementary school, biology and general science, English language and literature composition, art education, Spanish content knowledge, Other content areas pass rates ranged from 99 percent to 67 percent.

All Ohio State students who took the exams passed assessment of special education core principles and special education application of core principles.

The Educational Testing Service develops Praxis II, which 23 states require for teacher licensure.

The scores are consistent with past averages, said Evelyn Freeman, director of the college’s School of Teaching and Learning.

“They show that our overall teacher preparation program is very good,” she said. The report also contains other measures of quality. For instance, Ohio State’s faculty to student ratio in supervising student teaching is one to 4.9. A total of 40 full-time faculty members and 42 part-time faculty members supervised 405 student teachers in 1999-2000. Each student teacher spent 400 hours in elementary, middle and high schools, or 40 hours per week for 10 weeks.

The State of Ohio Department of Education and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education both have accredited Ohio State’s teacher education programs.

In 1999-2000, the university had 794 students enrolled in pre-service teacher education programs across four colleges: the College of Education; the College of the Arts; the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences; and the College of Human Ecology.

The four colleges graduated approximately 400 students. An estimated 80 percent to 85 percent of graduates eligible for licensure or certification to teach found positions in Ohio schools. The Columbus Public Schools hired 135 Ohio State graduates as full-time teachers.

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(LO)