Content Knowledge

1a. Content Knowledge for Teacher Candidates

[Note: In this section, institutions must address both (1) initial teacher preparation programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels and (2) licensure and non-licensure graduate programs for candidates who already hold a teaching license.]

1a1. What content knowledge tests are used for the purpose of state licensure and/or program completion? If the state has a licensure test for content, what is the overall pass rate across all initial teacher preparation programs? What programs do not have an 80% or above pass rate? What do the data in Table 4 tell the unit about its candidates? (This information could be updated from Title II data submitted to the state or program reports prepared for national review. Complete Table 4.)

Wisconsin Administrative Code PI 34.14(1)(a) 1 requires that students applying for admission to their initial Wisconsin professional education (licensure) program pass competency tests in communication skills prior to admission. The tests approved by the state superintendent for this purpose are the Pre-Professional Skills Tests or PPST in Reading, Writing and Mathematics (PRAXIS I). All students must pass all three parts of this test prior to admission to professional education. The Wisconsin Qualifying Score for each of these tests is as follows:

Test Codes	Test Name	WI Qualifying Score
0710, 5710	PPST Reading (& computerized)	175
0720, 5720	PPST Writing (& computerized)	174
0730, 5730	PPST Mathematics (& computerized)	173

From 2002-2006, data show that mean scores of all three areas (reading, writing, mathematics) are above the minimum cut-off score set by DPI. For instance, our mean score for mathematics during this four year period was 181, eight points above the minimum required to pass (n=1621). The same was true for writing and reading. (Please see support materials for question 1a1).

1a2. Please complete the following (Table 4) to indicate pass rates on content licensure tests program by program and across all programs (i.e., overall pass rate). (This information could be compiled from Title II data submitted to the state or program reports prepared for national review.)

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction in accordance with PI 34, Wisconsin Administrative Code, also requires that all students completing a Wisconsin professional education (licensure) program and out-of state applicants who completed their programs after August 31, 2004 take the specific Praxis II: Subject Assessments listed below that correspond to the license(s) they will be issued:

Table 4

Pass Rates on Content Tests for Initial Teacher Preparation

For 2006-2007 Program Completers

Program Name & Emphasis	Test Code	Test Name	Qualifying Score	# of Test Takers	% Passing at State Cut Score
EC Dual License Early Childhood & Special Education	0014	Elementary Education: Content Knowledge	147	20	100
EC/MC	0014	Elementary Education: Content Knowledge	147	14	100
MC/EA	0146	Middle School: Content Knowledge	146	75	100
MC/EA & EA/A Cross Categorical: Behavior Disorders, Learning Disabilities	0146	Middle School: Content Knowledge	146	45	100
EA/A English, Broadfield Language Arts, English Literature & Composition, Journalism, Speech Communication	0041	English Language, Literature, Composition: Content Knowledge	160	37	100
EA/A Mathematics	0061	Mathematics: Content Knowledge	135	21	100
EA/A Broadfield Social Studies, Geography, History, Political Science & Citizenship, Economics, Psychology, Sociology	0081	Social Studies: Content Knowledge	153	44	100
EA/A Broadfield Science, Physical Science, Chemistry, Physics, Earth & Space Science, Biology, Life & Environmental Science,	0435	General Science: Content Knowledge	154	5	100
EC/A Art Education	0133	Art: Content Knowledge	155	9	100
EC/A Business Education	0100	Business Education	580	15	100
EC/A Marketing Education	0560	Marketing Education	600	8	100
EC/A Theatre	0640	Theatre	600	2	100
EC/A Physical Education	0091	Physical Education: Content Knowledge	150	17	100
EC/A Music Education	0113	Music: Content Knowledge	150	17	100
(attached to major) English as a Second Language	0360	English to Speakers of Other Languages	530	16	100
(attached to major) French	0173	French: Content Knowledge	156	0	100
(attached to major) German	0181	German: Content Knowledge	153	1	100
(attached to major) Health	0550	Health Education	610	16	100
(attached to major) Spanish	0191	Spanish	158	10	100

1a3. What do the data in the above table (Table 4) tell the unit about the content knowledge of initial teacher candidates?

It is important to note that the overall pass rate for program completers for each of these tests is 100% as all students must pass the test prior to starting student teaching.

1a4. What data from other key assessments indicate that candidates in initial teacher preparation programs demonstrate the content knowledge delineated in professional, state, and institutional standards? (Institutions that have submitted programs for national review or a similar state review are required to respond to this question only for programs not reviewed).

All licensure programs have been reviewed by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction for content knowledge. Some programs have also been reviewed by national specialty organizations as discussed in the Overview section of this report. Please refer to content accreditation reports for more information.

1a5. What data from key assessments indicate that advanced teaching candidates demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of content knowledge delineated in professional, state and institutional standards?

Content knowledge for all licensure candidates, initial and advanced, is assessed as part of Standard 1 of the Wisconsin Teaching Standards. This standard is assessed multiple times during the program and in the alumni and employer surveys. Mean scores on student portfolios show that all students progress between Phase 3 and Phase 4 in Standard 1 (demonstrating increasing content knowledge proficiency) over the past four years. Additionally, cooperating teacher final evaluations utilized in the Curriculum and Instruction Department’s programs are designed to assess student teacher content knowledge competency. Data gathered from Spring 2007 semester (n=111) indicate a mean rating of 3.46 (on a 1 “minimal” to 4 “advanced” rating scale) for WTS1. Furthermore, mean ratings from all six questions linked to this standard were between a 3 and 4 on the same rating scale. This appears to indicate student teacher content knowledge proficiency (Please refer to support data for question 1a5). Further information about content assessment is found in our state DPI report. Student teacher exit surveys from 2003 to 2007 (n=177) also suggest that candidates are well prepared in content knowledge. Average ratings on the question “I believe I have attained an appropriate level of proficiency to be expected of a beginning teacher in terms of content knowledge” are 4.34 out of 5 possible points.

1a6. What do follow-up studies of graduates and employers indicate about graduate’s preparation in the content area? If survey data are being reported, what was the response rate? (A table summarizing results related to content knowledge could be attached here.)

Alumni and employer surveys also demonstrate that our candidates are well prepared in content. The 2006 alumni survey indicated that alumni rated their overall content preparation ability as nearly a 4.0 with 1 “being not at all prepared” and 5 being “very well prepared.” The 2006 employer survey supported this finding, rating UW-Whitewater teachers as nearly a 4.0 on the same scale (Please refer to support data for question 1a6). Please refer to content accreditation reports for more information.