PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (June 26, 2020) – The Whitlowe R. Green College of Education (WRGCOE) Educator Preparation Program (EPP) at Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) has been recognized by the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) for exemplary performance in two commendation categories: “Preparing the Educators Texas Needs” and “Preparing Educators for Long-Term Success.”

Delco Building

PVAMU’s WRGCOE is one of two universities from the Texas A&M University System and the only historically black college/university (HBCU) in Texas to earn the recognition.

The SBEC also recognizes high-performing educator preparation programs for rigorous, robust, and innovative educator preparation.

“These commendations are significant and demonstrate that the WRGCOE is serving Texas at the point of its greatest need by preparing educators that reflect the diversity of the state and who garner long-term success in the profession,” said Michael McFrazier, Ed.D., dean of the WRGCOE. “Rooted in a legacy of producing some of the nation’s most distinguished educators, the WRGCOE prepares students to transform the lives of children and youth and make a lasting difference.”

Teacher retention in Texas is a growing concern in the state. According to data by the Texas Education Agency, nearly 1 in 3 public school teachers in Texas leave the profession before reaching their sixth school year.

“Teachers who graduate from university-based undergraduate educator preparation programs have a higher propensity to stay in the profession, with 75 percent of teachers remaining on the job after five years,” McFrazier said. “We prepare future teachers to achieve long-term success by building resiliency and equipping them to be culturally responsive.”

The EPP’s recognition for preparing the educators Texas needs focuses on the percentage of prepared teachers who identify as teachers of color. Currently, 94 percent of WRGCOE students identify as students of color.

“We are committed to creating an effective learning environment for students,” McFrazier said. “With a student-to-faculty ratio of 18:1, WRGCOE students are able to develop meaningful and lasting professional relationships with faculty.”

Looking ahead, the WRGCOE has even bigger goals for the future. The college is seeking education partner designation with the Raise Your Hand Texas Foundation, which is reinventing public education from the inside by developing and strengthening school leaders and teachers, engaging families in the educational experience, and advancing classroom learning with innovative instructional practices to benefit all students.

“Receiving this designation will signify that our educator preparation program is innovated and focused on continuous quality improvement,” McFrazier said. “Most importantly, it will also provide scholarship support for students matriculating in the Teacher Education Program.”

###

By Kendall Hebert