Teacher Education Program
CAEP Accredited Programs (Accredited April 2024)
State Approved (February 2024 Approved)
- Elementary Education K-6
- Special Education K-6
- Music Education P-12 (Choral)
- Music Education P-12 (Instrumental)
Measure 1 (Initial): Completer Effectiveness (R4.1)
Effective Learning Environments Observation Tool (ELEOT) – Summary
ELEOT is used as a formative tool to guide teacher reflection, professional learning, and school improvement efforts. In Alabama, it is part of the Alabama Teacher Growth Program (ATGP) and supports alignment with the Alabama Core Teaching Standards.
ELEOT is a classroom observation tool developed by Cognia to assess the quality of student learning experience. Unlike tools that focus primarily on teacher behavior, ELEOT centers on what students are doing, saying, and experiencing during instruction. The goal is to provide schools with evidence-based insights into how effectively classrooms support student-centered learning.
Key Dimensions
While the official ELEOT includes seven learning environments, the following five dimensions reflect a student-centered focus aligned with common instructional goals: Culture/Climate (assesses the overall emotional and social atmosphere of the classroom), Learning (measures the extent to which students are engaged in academic tasks and demonstrating understanding), Essentials (focuses on the foundational structures that support learning), Agency (evaluates student ownership of learning), and Relationships (examines the quality of interpersonal interactions in the classroom).
Scoring Criteria
Observers use a 4-point scale to rate each indicator within the dimensions:
- 4 – Very Evident: The behavior is consistently and clearly observed across most or all students.
- 3 – Evident: The behavior is observed in many students during the observation period.
- 2 – Somewhat Evident: The behavior is seen occasionally or in only a few students.
- 1 – Not Observed: The behavior is not observed during the session.
2023–2024 ELEOT Evaluation Summary
In the spring of the 2023–2024 academic year, the teacher was evaluated using the Effective Learning Environments Observation Tool (ELEOT). The teacher data report indicated that the behaviors observed were somewhat evident, with one dimension not observed during the evaluation.
The results indicated evidence of emerging strengths in the use of evidence-based instructional practices, and the principal noted no major areas of concern. Qualitative feedback highlighted opportunities for growth, providing valuable insights to support the teacher’s continued professional development and instructional refinement.
Measure 2 (Initial): Satisfaction of Employers and Stakeholder Involvement (R4.2|R5.3)
ALACTE New Teacher Employer Survey Summary
The ALACTE New Teacher Employer Survey gathers feedback from principals and school administrators regarding the performance of our program completers during their first year of teaching. After reviewing the data, employer responses indicated that approximately 81% of first-year teachers were rated as Emerging or Effective, with only a few concerns identified, specifically in five areas, which is typical for educators in their first year of teaching. To address the noted concerns, the lesson plan template was revised to require more detailed written components and the intentional application of a broader range of instructional skills. Additionally, departmental faculty committed to reviewing and updating course syllabi to incorporate more formative, hands-on activities and structured class discussions, particularly within junior- and senior-level methods courses, to better support candidate development and instructional readiness. ALACATE Employer Survey 2023 (See pages 12-14)
View 2023 Report Card (.pdf)
Measure 3 (Initial and Advanced): Candidate competency at completion (R3.3)
Teacher Certification Requirements
To be eligible for teacher certification, candidates must meet the following academic and assessment criteria upon completion of the program:
- Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75
- Achieve a 2.75 GPA in both the teaching field and professional studies coursework
- Pass all required Praxis exams relevant to their certification area
- Pass the Foundations of Reading assessment, if mandated by the state for their specific major
- Successfully complete the edTPA during the internship semester
PRAXIS PASS RATES (Initial Programs)
edTPA PASS RATES
Measure 4 (Initial and Advanced): Ability of Completers to be Hired
Over the past three years, the program has graduated three candidates, including one in 2023. Of these, two have successfully entered the teaching profession, reflecting the program’s commitment to preparing effective educators. This progress has been supported by strong partnerships with local schools and districts, whose collaboration has played a vital role in providing high-quality field experience, mentoring, and professional support for our candidates The 2023 candidate is employed as an elementary teacher.
