University of Arkansas – Fort SmithCollege of Education

Laura Witherington, Director Western Education Renewal Zone

Who We Are• Formerly West-Ark Community College• Became a 4-year university 2002• Regional undergraduate university, soon to add graduate programs• 41 Bachelor’s degrees; 23 Associate’s degress• Almost 8,000 students• Mostly commuter• Many non-traditional• Mission: UA Fort Smith prepares students to succeed in an ever-changing global world while advancing economic development and quality of place.

College of Education

• 1100 majors• 120 graduates each year• 35 school partners• 16 full-time faculty

Mission: Professionals United to Ensure Continuous Learning and Success

Why We Stand OutCriterion 1: Articulation and Evidence of Outcomes

• COE established SLOs based on research-based best practice.• The SLOs are published multiple ways.• Assignments and assessments were developed based on the SLOs and in collaboration with school partners.• COE developed rubrics for consistent implementation of assessments.•COE uses a complex electronic data collection system through LiveText to collect data at all levels.

Why We Stand OutCriterion 2: Success with Regard to Outcomes

• DAREs: Data Analysis Review Events• Each semester• All stake-holders in the process

• Additional sources of analyzed data• Curricular Advisory Committee• Institutional SLO reports• Graduate and employer surveys• Praxis III• ADE reports on student achievement

Why We Stand OutCriterion 3: Information to the Public about Outcomes

• AASCU McAuliffe Finalist (2010)• AR Mentor of the Year Awards (2009, 2010)• Practicum• Websites• Facebook• Monthly TEC meetings• Scholarly presentations

Why We Stand OutCriterion 4: Using Outcomes for Improvement

• Changes to assignments• Change in service requirements• Disposition clarity• Coursework (program of study) changes based on Praxis II score disaggregation• Clarity of Conceptual Framework

What Now?• We are changing it all.• More technology.• Deeper analysis.• Expectation for continued growth and changes.