Accreditation
Alaska Pacific University’s Teacher Education K-8 Certificate program (Previously known as Certificate Only Option Program—CO-OP) is currently accredited by NCATE, while in transition to the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) http://caepnet.org/.
Annual Reporting Measures
Measure 1: Completer Effectiveness and Impact on P-12 Student Learning
To assess the effectiveness of our graduates in how they influence learning in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade (P-12), we implement two key evaluation strategies the NExT open-sourced Employer/Supervisor Survey (New Teacher Performance indicators) and district evaluations of first-year alumni.
NExT open-sourced Employer/Supervisor Survey:
We gather feedback directly from employers using the NExT open-sourced survey, which specifically asks employers to evaluate the performance and impact of our graduates in their roles at the end of their first year of teaching.
The EPP administered the NExT Supervisor Survey for the 2022-2023 academic year. The survey offered a nuanced view of the strengths and growth opportunities among first-year teachers with three responses. The survey highlights that a significant majority of new teachers effectively incorporate students’ prior knowledge and experiences into their instructional planning, with 100% of supervisors recognizing this capability to some extent. Additionally, 66.7% supervisors noted that new teachers are successful in engaging students in self-assessment strategies, which is crucial for fostering independent learning skills.
However, the survey also points out areas needing further development. For example, the integration of technology in teaching and the development of students’ critical thinking skills show a divided response among supervisors, indicating variability in these competencies among new teachers. Similarly, the ability to help students analyze multiple sources to draw conclusions is an area where consistent proficiency has not yet been achieved. To address these areas, the EPP identified targeted pre-service training could significantly enhance the effectiveness of new teachers in these critical aspects of contemporary education. Figure 1 targets specific questions from the NExT open-sourced survey providing insight on teacher performance on the influence of P-12 learning.
Figure 1
NExT Supervisor Survey: New Teacher Performance September 2022-August 2023 (N=3)
| NExT Supervisor Survey Indicator | Agree | Tend to Agree | Not Able to Observe | Disagree |
| Accounts for students’ prior knowledge or experiences in instructional planning. | 66.7 % | 33.3 % | ||
| Engages students in self-assessment strategies. | 66.7 % | 33.3 % | ||
| Engages students in using a range of technology tools to achieve learning goals. | 33.3 % | 33.33 % | 33.3 % | |
| Helps students develop critical thinking processes. | 33.3 % | 66.7 % | ||
| Helps students analyze multiple sources of evidence to draw sound conclusions. | 33.3 % | 33.3 % | 33.3 % |
Note. Nine supervisory NExT surveys were sent out. N=3 collected for September 2022-August 2023.
First-Year District Evaluations: During their first year of teaching, our graduates are observed to assess their practical skills and effectiveness in the classroom using their district’s proprietary evaluation form. To address data collection, the EPP contacted 2022/2023 alumni, yet no first-year district evaluations were received.
Measure 2: Satisfaction of Employers and Stakeholder Involvement
The EPP administered the survey to the supervisors of 2022/2023 alumni at the end of their first year of teaching. (N=3)
| NExT Supervisor Survey Indicator | Percentage of Employers Indicating Agree or Stronger Agree | Not Able to Observe |
| Effectively teaches the subject matter in their licensure area | 100% | |
| Regularly adjusts instructional plans to meet student’s needs | 100% | |
| Plans lesson with clear learning objectives/goals in mind | 66.7 % | 33.3 % |
| Provides students with meaningful feedback to guide next steps in learning | 66.7 % | 33.3 % |
| Clearly Communicates expectations for appropriate student behavior | 100% |
Note. Data extracted from NExT Supervisor Surveys of Employers August 2022-September 2023. (N=3)
Stakeholder Involvement Includes:
- Regularly Meeting Program Advisory Board (membership includes host teachers, district partners, alumni, principals, and clinical educators)
- Regular Meetings with Candidates Advisory Board (Current candidates at various stages of the program)
- Stakeholder feedback on assessment tools ahead of adoption
- Stakeholder feedback on priorities for any newly hired positions
- Partnership with district and community partners to expand pathways toward careers in education
- NExT Common Metric Tools
Measure 3: Candidate Competency at Completion
Alaska Pacific University employs multiple methods to ensure the competency of its candidates upon program completion. Our candidates are assessed through a minimum of seven formal observations during their student teaching placements using the Student Teacher Observation Tool (STOT), a detailed guide designed to standardize evaluations. Additionally, they must successfully complete the Teacher Renaissance Work Sample, a comprehensive demonstration of their teaching ability.
Candidates demonstrate proficiency in elementary education by passing the Praxis II content exam, a state-mandated assessment that evaluates teacher candidates’ knowledge and skills. These assessments provide measures to help demonstrate that our graduates meet the high standards expected by the State of Alaska and are well-prepared for their teaching careers. Through these rigorous assessments, we maintain our commitment to upholding the highest standards of educational excellence.
Figure 3
Praxis II Passing Rates September 2021-August 2022 (N=15)
Note. Data represents pass rates for September 2021- August 2022; No data percentages calculated for September 2022-August 2023 because the test taker count is fewer than 5.
Measure 4: Ability of Completers To Be Hired in Education Following Licensure
| Year of Completers | Percentage (including certified, substitute, or another educational field) |
| 2022-2023 | n.d. |
| 2021-2022 | 75% |
| 2020-2021 | 100% |
| 2019-2020 | 100% |
***If you would like to provide feedback to the program or become involved in one of these stakeholder initiatives or have questions about the program or this report, please contact karcherolson@alaskapacific.edu.
