Submitted Fall, 2005
Faculty assessment of the comprehensive examination performances of 38 graduates of the Southwest Cohort (N=21) and Platte River Cohort (N=17) were summarized and analyzed.
Summary of Comprehensive Exam Performance for Southwest Cohort and Platte River Cohort (N = 38)
| Criteria |
Benchmark Characteristics
|
Level of Quality |
| |
|
Superior |
Acceptable |
Needs More
Development |
| Explanation of Teaching Growth |
Specific areas of growth/change are noted
Specific examples of what are shared
|
28 |
10 |
0 |
| Connection to Desired Results for Graduates |
An awareness of the 10 Desired Results is evident
Specific Connections to most/all of the DR are present
|
20 |
13 |
5 |
| Powerful Experiences |
Particularly powerful experiences are described
Specific “learning/growths” are shared
|
28 |
10 |
0 |
| Presentation Style |
Body language is positive
Voice is clear and loud enough
The presentation is well organized
|
24 |
14 |
0 |
| Oral Defense |
Responses to questions are focused
Responses are specific-examples used
|
25 |
3 |
0 |
| OVERALL PERFORMANCE |
|
25
(66%) |
13
(34%) |
0
(0%) |
A thematic analysis of alumni responses to comprehensive examination question #1 enhanced departmental understanding of program quality. This table summarizes the ways in which program alumni “will teach differently.”
Thematic Summary of Alumni Responses to Comprehensive Examination Question #1—“How Will I Teach Differently” (N = 38)
| Theme |
Number of Alumni
Declaring Growth
in Each Thematic Area |
% of Respondents |
| Technology Skills/Use in Classroom |
25 |
66.00% |
| Instructional Skills/ Strategies |
21 |
55.00% |
| Educational Philosophy |
16 |
42.00% |
| Cooperative Learning/ Group Learning Models |
13 |
34.00% |
| Using Educational Research |
13 |
34.00% |
| Curriculum Renewal |
13 |
34.00% |
| Relationship Building with Students |
12 |
32.00% |
| Growth of a Professional Educator |
9 |
24.00% |
| Educational Law |
6 |
16.00% |
| Enhanced Desire for Lifelong Learning |
2 |
6.00% |