The Educator Preparation Assessment System
A conceptual framework provides the structural support for all educator preparation programs at Texas Tech University. As defined by NCATE, a conceptual framework is, “An underlying structure in a professional education unit that gives conceptual meanings through an articulated rationale to the unit’s operation, and provides direction for programs, courses, teaching, candidate performance, faculty scholarship and service, and unit accountability.”
An essential component of the conceptual framework is an assessment system. The Educator Preparation Assessment System (EPAS) serves as the foundation for all of TTU’s educator preparation programs. EPAS generates, organizes, and archives data to be used by faculty and staff to advance the college’s mission. The assessment system has been developed over several years, and was reaffirmed by stakeholders and approved by the Teacher Education Council in September 2007.
The goals of the Educator Preparation Assessment System are to:
- support data-informed decision making throughout all aspects of the educator preparation enterprise, including monitoring candidate performance, managing and improving operations and programs, and acquiring and allocating resources;
- support scholarship, teaching, and service endeavors;
- support external relations efforts;
- support development efforts; and
- support the generation and archiving of documents, reports, and statistics.
The Educator Preparation Assessment System is based on the following:
- the needs of candidates, faculty, staff, and administrators;
- the conceptual framework for educator preparation;
- accreditation standards, specialized professional association (SPA) guidelines, and State of Texas educator proficiencies and content knowledge; and
- strategic and program goals.