Educator Preparation Programs and Institutional Pass Rates
Rhode Island has eight (8) institutions of higher education with approved educator preparation programs. Graduates of approved programs are automatically eligible for certification in Rhode Island provided they have achieved a passing score on the appropriate licensure test.
All approved programs in Rhode Island are required, under the Rhode Island Program Approval Standards, to assess candidate performance to standards of the profession from point of admission through recommendation for certification. Approved programs are reviewed at least once every five (5) years by a team of educators assembled by the Department of Education. Educators selected to serve on program approval teams are knowledgeable in the standards of the profession and on performance assessment systems. Institutions of higher education with approved programs can also choose to seek national accreditation from the National Council on Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
Title II of the Higher Education Act requires institutions of higher education
to submit annual reports to the RI Department of Education that provide basic
information on the programs offered at the institution, how well students
perform on initial state certification test requirements, and whether the
institution has been classified as "low performing". This information must be
made public in all publications that describe the education programs at the
institution. The link on this page provides institutional pass rates in Rhode
Island for the past three (3) years.
Rhode Island is currently working with The New Teacher Project to establish
an alternative certification program. For more information on applying to
The Rhode Island Teaching Fellows program offered by The New Teacher Project
visit
www.rhodeislandteachingfellows.org
Reminder to All Programs: Basic Skills tests for
all teacher candidates is now required. The state has set minimum student
teaching requirements at 12 weeks.