OC School of Education Ranks First in the State for Overall Teacher Certification Pass Rates
Oklahoma Christian University (OC), a small private university in Edmond, is being noticed as its School of Education students earned highest in the state from the Oklahoma Office of Educational Quality and Accountability (OEQA) for pass rates. OC’s Education students achieved the top spot in the state across the board in all of the state’s exams, with a 96.7% pass rate on the certification exam and a 100% best attempt pass rate for the Oklahoma Subject Area Tests (OSAT). While this year’s rates place OC at the top, the university has long held its own against top-performing universities.
“We are proud of our motivated group of dedicated faculty and hard-working students who have made this happen,” said Darin Martin, director of Teacher Education. “Our goal is to provide our candidates the resources they need to be effective, impactful teachers, and when they do reach the end goal there truly is no better feeling.”
Students in OC’s Elementary and Early Childhood Education programs complete more than 200 hours of practicum experience before ever stepping foot in a classroom, far exceeding the state’s minimum requirements of 65 hours, and have the opportunity to utilize additional tutoring as needed. OC faculty has taken extra steps to make sure the sequencing of curriculum sets students up for success on the OSATs.
“When our graduates enter into their career they are fully certified, meaning they have passed all three state examinations,” Martin said. “We are one of only a few universities that has this requirement for their candidates and are proud to continue to do so. This gives districts the ability to hire our graduates without additional worry because they are already certified.”
Oklahoma Christian was one of 26 providers from 17 states and the United Arab Emirates to receive recognition for their leadership and commitment to continuous improvement from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Additionally, OC graduates boast sky-high job placement rates; last year alone graduate employment was upwards of 100%.
“Oklahoma Christian is dedicated to meeting the needs of Oklahoma’s workforce,” said Brandon Tatum, executive vice president of OC. “In a time where quality, qualified educators are in such high demand, we are thrilled to share this news about our students’ success. We look forward to seeing these young educators lead our state in education.”
Learn more about Oklahoma Christian’s School of Education.
