Measure 3

Candidate Competency at Completion (R3.3, RA3.4) SIUC Content Test Averages – Advanced Programs for Academic Year 2024-2025

This CAEP Accreditation Measure is also available online as a Microsoft Word document

BACKGROUND

The Content Area Pass Rate is a document formulated and developed by the Teacher Education Program (TEP) at the end of the school year to determine the effectiveness in passing the content in their program area. The data is collected from the Illinois Licensure Testing System (ILTS) report from Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). The content area tests are aligned to the Illinois Professional Educator Standards.

At the Program Improvement and Assessment Committee (PIAC) meetings, consisting of all program coordinators, and clinical supervisors, trends over time and comparisons of data from candidates across programs are analyzed. Areas of strength and areas for improvement are identified.

Recommendations are then brought to the appropriate stakeholders to be discussed and implemented. This assessment tool and its data are used by programs as a key assessment when reviewing their programs, their candidates’ progress, and completing their required reports. The candidates begin taking their content area test at the time of admission into the TEP.

The purpose of the content area test is to assess a candidates’ knowledge and understanding of educational practices foundational to their program area. Successful completion means meeting the cut score to become licensure eligible in the state of Illinois.

QUALITY ASSURED

The language used in the assessment is influenced by the Illinois Professional Educator Standards. The constructs measured in the assessment are also aligned to what is measured in the ILTS ISBE standards and updated to reflect the Illinois Professional Educator Standards. The Unit expects that there is a range of data from passers from 85% to 100% on various content area tests.

RESULTS

In 2023, the unit data shows that 35 Advanced Program Content Tests were taken, and the overall pass rate was 71%. Two programs had a 100% pass rate for the Content Tests: Reading Specialist and Superintendent.

In 2024, the unit data shows that 31 Advanced Program Content Tests were taken, and the overall pass rate increased to 84%. Superintendent again had a 100% pass rate. For many other programs the low number of candidates taking the exam makes pass rates difficult to use an indicator. Rather, following individual students is much more informative.

In 2025, the unit data shows that 13 Advanced Program Content Tests were taken, and the overall pass rate increased again to 91%. There were three programs with 100% passing rate: School Social Woker, Superintendent, and Reading Specialist. Unfortunately, the low number of candidates taking these exams makes pass rate data difficult to use for program improvement, but it continues to be a marker to follow in the future.

2023-2025 PASS RATES FOR ADVANCED PROGRAMS

Advanced-Level Programs Degrees Conferred

The program continues to utilize performance by students on various key assessments. It is noted that all program students have successfully completed the assessments to achieve a final grade for each specific course associated with the relevant key assessment.