Results (R)

1R2 Acquiring Knowledge and Skills for Degrees

Several of Western’s degree programs have admissions criteria for acceptance to the major. Generally these criteria include completion of any required developmental coursework and introductory discipline related courses. Teacher education programs have selective program entrance requirements in terms of either ACT or C-Base evidence of student preparation. In 2003, 99 percent, and in 2004, 90 percent of education majors had either an ACT Composite score or a C-Base Test result placing them in the top 34 percent of all students taking these tests.

DHE set a goal for institutions to increase the number of majors assessed using a nationally recognized or normed assessment and to increase the percentage scoring at or above the 50th percentile. The data for these exams are found in Figures 1.11 (all disciplines except teacher education) and 1.12 (teacher education).

As shown in Figure 1.11, Western’s use of field- specific nationally normed tests is similar to that at other Missouri public four-year institutions. Over the past three years, approximately 45 percent of students (non-education graduates) have taken such tests statewide. An accounting change at the Missouri State level that excluded education majors (13 percent of all Western graduates) resulted in the decrease reported in 2000 for majors scoring at or above the 50th percentile.

Several majors do not have adequate national discipline-specific tests. In fact, two of Western’s largest majors, Health/Physical Education/Recreation and Criminal Justice/Legal Studies, are among those disciplines without such a test. Several other majors (English, Communication Studies, Art, and Music) use assessment measures (portfolios, performances, exhibitions) which better meet their assessment needs.

The number of Western students scoring at or above the 50th percentile on the discipline-specific senior exit exams in 1999-2005 has declined. Western is looking for ways to improve student outcomes on all exit exams.

Graduates from Western’s education, nursing, and physical therapist assistant’s degree programs are required to pass national licensure examinations before they may become licensed to practice in their degree field. The following sections give the success of Western students on these examinations.

In Missouri, to receive a teaching certificate, students must pass the PRAXIS. At Western, beginning with Fall 2003, all teacher education candidates have to pass the PRAXIS exam before being allowed to student teach. Prior to 2003, 96 percent or more of education graduates passed the PRAXIS.

A student can pass PRAXIS without achieving the 50th percentile. Figure 1.12 presents senior outcome data for education students. These results show that (with the exception of AY 2000) Western’s education graduates achieve scores above state and national averages.

Each nursing graduate who wishes to practice nursing takes the National Council Licensing Examination for Nursing. Licensure test results are reported to the state each year (Figure 1.13). With the exception of AY 2004/05, approximately 90 percent or more of Western’s nursing students passed the licensing examination and exceeded state and national pass rates.

Over the past five years, an average of 89 percent of Western students in the Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) Program who took the licensing exam passed. As a group, PTA graduates must maintain an overall pass rate of 85 percent for the most recent three years to satisfy accreditation requirements of the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education (Figure 1.14). Western has maintained these accreditation standards over the past five years.

Figure 1.11 Percentage of Majors Taking and Passing Nationally Normed Test

top of page

Figure 1.12 Percentage of Education Majors Meeting Praxis Exit Requirements

top of page

Figure 1.13 National Council Licensing Examination for Nursing Pass Rates for 2000-2005.

top of page

Figure 1.14 Physical Therapist Assistant Pass Rates

top of page