To prepare competent professional personnel for public schools as indicated by passing scores on the Texas Examinations of Educator Standards (TExES) assessment, the state standardized test all educators are required to pass to teach in their respective fields in Texas public K-12 schools. This instrument is a criterion based examination designed to measure knowledge and skills pertaining to school librarianship.
Objective
TExES
Students will achieve a 90% or better pass rate for their first effort on TExES (Texas Examinations of Educator Standards)test.
Indicator
TExES--State Certification Test For School Librarians
Results of the student scores on the Texas state certification test for school librarians will indicate the pass rate for each testing period.
Criterion
TExES
Students taking the test will achieve a 90% pass rate on first test attempt to indicate successful mastery of the field of school librarianship. For those who must retake the test, the eventual goal is 100% pass rate.
Finding
TExES Scores
We continue to meet or exceed the desired mark. Currently one student has ongoing problems, constituting 1.6% out of the 60 number students who took the test during the 2008-2009 year. Three students failed their first attempt in Spring 09, constituting 1.8% of students attempting.
Action
TExES
We will continue to work with student who has had pronounced difficulty with TExES. We have revised our review process based on this student's situation...we now have students do additional work before attending a review session in order to maximize the quality of the session. Furthermore, we will work one-on-one with students who demonstrate particular difficulty with the test. It is our intent through these changes in actions that we can see an even higher pass rate.
Goal
Review Syllabi
To review all syllabi to verify that they meet NCATE (National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education) standards.
Objective
Review Syllabi
To align all syllabi to meet NCATE's (National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education) standards.
Indicator
Review Syllabi
To review each syllabi to meet standards set forth in the new NCATE, National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education standards.
Criterion
Review Syllabi
Syllabi are approved by the NCATE SPA (specialty professional association)as meeting acceptable standards.
Finding
Review Syllabi
This was done Spring 09, with the result that all syllabi were judged to adhere to NCATE standards.
Action
Review Syllabi
While we achieved our goal to review all syllabi in the light of NCATE standards, we are aware that ongoing review and revision is necessary. We will continue to keep syllabi updated, especially with regards to emerging technology and its affect on teaching and learning.
Goal
Portfolio
To prepare students to complete with acceptable or target scores on the final assessment portfolio for the MLS (Master of Library Science). This is a capstone project required for graduation. It covers four major areas in the body of knowledge presented through our program: Administration, Literature, Resources and Services, and Technology.
Objective
Portfolio
To achieve scores of either acceptable or target on the final assessment portfolio for all students. Every graduate program requires a final product for its course of study. Historically, the Department of Library Science has utilized a written comprehensive exam, followed by an oral review and, most recently, an electronic portfolio. The faculty believes that the electronic portfolio is currently the best method of providing closure to studies and assuring faculty that you are prepared for the world of school librarianship. Four major areas are covered: Administration, Literature, Resources and Services, and Technology.
Indicator
Portfolio
The student must meet acceptable or target evaluations of their final assessment portfolio, the culminating product submitted during semester prior to graduation. Portfolios are evaluated based upon presentation of artifacts and reflections related to four major areas: literature, technology, administration, and resources and services. The evaluation is based on NCATE (National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education) standards. Professors grade the portions of portfolios that correspond with the courses that they teach. For this purpose, rubrics are utilized that were developed by faculty for this purpose.
Criterion
Portfolio
All students will obtain an assessment of either acceptable or target as indicated by department rubrics on the final assessment portfolio. A desired ratio is 75% acceptable and 25% Target.
Finding
Portfolios
In Spring 2009, all portfolios that were graded received acceptable or target scores except for one. Two portfolios had to be held over because they were turned in after the due date. They will be submitted in July. Summer 2009 portfolios will be graded in August, 2009.
Action
Portfolio
During Spring 2009, portfolio practices were revised by faculty. Future students who fail portfolio must take an additional class, LS 575 Special Study, and redo the portfolio to be submitted the next semester. Portfolios submitted after the due date will also take LS 575 and resubmit. Finally, in order to clarify expectations from the very first, in the future all beginning students will take the same starting course, LS 570, Instructional Design. In this class they will be briefed from the outset regarding portfolio expectations. This change in practice should help students start from the very first to prepare for portfolio.