The University of Texas at Dallas was recognized recently by the Texas Education Agency for its success in preparing high-quality teachers.
The University’s Teacher Development Center (TDC) and UTeach Dallas program earned commendation for the high passing rate that UT Dallas students achieved on their state licensure exams last year and were recognized for contributing significant numbers of graduates in high-needs areas, such as math and science.
UT Dallas has offered teacher preparation programs for nearly 50 years. Since 1975, the TDC has prepared more than 4,000 students for teaching careers by providing education coursework, field experience and preparation for state exams. Established in 2008, UTeach Dallas — part of the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics — allows students to combine a degree in a science or technical field with a certification to teach mathematics, science and computer science at the secondary level.
In 2022, UTD added two bachelor’s degrees in education.
In 2019, the State Board for Educator Certification created a system for recognizing high-performing educator preparation programs in Texas in several categories. This is the first year that UTD has earned commendation in the category Rigorous and Robust Preparation and the third year of being recognized in the Preparing the Educators Texas Needs category.
Dr. Barbara Ashmore, director of the TDC and professor of instruction in the School of Interdisciplinary Studies, said more than 99% of UTD students in teacher preparation programs passed the Texas Examinations of Educator Standards exams on either the first or second attempt. The University has one of the highest passing rates in Texas.
Ashmore said the achievement is the result of the University’s and the TDC’s quality faculty, excellent curriculum and high admissions standards, as well as students’ work in the field and content coordination across campus.
“TDC instructors are superb and teach their content well,” Ashmore said. “The majority of our instructors are K-12 teachers and teach for us in the evenings, allowing our students to work. This is a tremendous advantage for our students, because their instructors are in the classroom every day teaching children. Consequently, instructors are on the cutting edge of what our students need to learn to be successful as classroom teachers.”
As UTeach Dallas celebrated its 15th anniversary this year, leaders noted that more than 50% of the 330 UTeach Dallas alumni currently teach in a high-needs school, serving more than 230,000 students since the inception of the program.
“Strengthening and enlarging the pool of secondary STEM [science, technology, engineering and mathematics] teachers — especially those in incredibly hard-to-fill teaching jobs like physics, chemistry and mathematics — creates high school graduates that are equipped and ready for university or whatever comes next in their journey,” said Katherine Donaldson MAT’93, associate director of UTeach Dallas. “As a result of UTeach Dallas’ efforts, the University’s production of specialized STEM teachers has more than tripled.”
Dr. Mary Urquhart, director of UTeach Dallas and head of the Department of Science/Mathematics Education, said the efforts of all teacher educators at UT Dallas are multiplied many times over.
“Our greatest obligation — and greatest joy — is the impact our graduates have on their own students,” Urquhart said. “We are proud of each of our graduates who make differences in students’ lives every single day.”
Accolades is an occasional News Center feature that highlights recent accomplishments of The University of Texas at Dallas faculty, students and staff. To submit items for consideration, contact your school’s communications manager.