For the second year in a row, the Andrews University Teacher Preparation Program has been declared an exemplary program and achieved the distinction of being the only institution out of 32 in the state of Michigan to receive a perfect 70/70 score. This ranking is a result of evaluation based on a set of criteria from the Michigan Department of Education for the 2007–08 academic year.
 
Each year, the State of Michigan develops a report card for the 32 Teacher Preparation colleges and universities in Michigan. “We are thrilled to have such a high quality program that it has scored above other larger, more well-known institutions,” says Lee Davidson, chair of the Andrews University Department of Teaching, Learning & Curriculum. “We believe this recognizes the excellent education our students receive. We will continue to strive to be in the exemplary category by adjusting the program as needed to meet the changing needs of education in America.”
 
“As a recent graduate in my first year of teaching, I've seen time and time again how well my education at Andrews University prepared me to, in turn, teach the next generation of students,” says Aaron Koleda, seventh-grade teacher at the Village Adventist Elementary School in Berrien Springs, Mich. “I had no doubt that it was a quality program, yet it brings me a new level of confidence knowing I am a product of a top-notch institution.”
 
Using seven measures, or data points, the Office of Professional Preparation Services and the State Board of Education assess how each institution has performed in preparing elementary and secondary teachers to educate students. These conditions include the passing rate on the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification; graduating teacher satisfaction level; employer satisfaction survey of graduates; number of education program completers; program review (percentage of programs approved by the state); diversity of graduating teachers population; and High Need Content–whether the institution has 35 percent or more students with a content specialty area, such as special education or mathematics, that are high-need subject areas.
 
“There are five points out of the 70 for recognition that our school, Andrews University, is very ethnically and racially diverse. There are some private colleges and universities in Michigan who have no minorities. This serves as a tribute to the international make-up of Andrews with students from over 90 countries represented in our student body,” says Jim Jeffery, dean of the Andrews University School of Education. “Interestingly enough that is recognized as one of the seven data points, and makes us stand out from several higher education peers who have little to no minority representation.”
 
Andrews University received 30 out of the total 70 points for the scores students received on the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC), a test on the content of the major. “The success of the high marks for the MTTC is the result of a joint effort between the School of Education and the College of Arts & Sciences at Andrews,” says Jeffery.

-Written by Keri Suarez, media relations specialist, Office of Integrated Marketing & Communication