5.2b Briefly summarize the most significant changes related to Standard 5 that have led to continuous improvement.
The Unit has experienced some significant changes related to Standard 5 in several areas. The first area is the incorporation of the Degree+ 3 Program, which provides candidates with in depth training related to the interpretation and specific use of assessment data. Following graduate candidates who are employed within the Hamilton County Schools receive follow up mentoring for 3 years.
Through the partnership with UTeaChattanooga, the Unit has expanded collaboration with the College of Arts and Sciences to improve subject matter content for candidates securing licensure in the content areas. The Unit has partnered with many content area specialists from the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Engineering and Computer Science to secure grants and deliver professional development activities within LEAs.
In partnership with Tennessee State University and ETS, the SDE has secured a SITES-M Grant that provides training for local teachers in the area of math. A total of 4 faculty members (3 from SOE and 1 from A & S) are involved in this training along 2 other university employees.
Faculty were heavily involved in the SACS reaffirmation, where the focus has been on Critical Thinking. A number of faculty have received training on administering and scoring the Critical Assessment for Thinking (CAT) Instrument, which is utilized to measure critical thinking. Unit faculty have served on the ThinkAchieve Advisory Committee to design, implement and deliver many of the professional development activities. Faculty have also written proposals to receive monetary awards to implement new ways of incorporating critical thinking within each of their respective disciplines. Plans are currently underway for faculty to co-teach across disciplines with a heavy emphasis on critical thinking.
