Elon University produces more student teachers than any other private college or university in North Carolina and graduates from Elon’s teacher education program are performing well on licensure exams.
Those are among the findings of the 2004 Institutions of Higher Education (IHE) report, issued Sept. 2 by the North Carolina State Board of Education. Elon was first among private colleges and universities in the state with 99 student teachers, well ahead of second-ranked Meredith College (82). Seven larger state universities were ahead of Elon in the overall list, led by East Carolina University (350).
Ninety-three percent of Elon teacher education program graduates passed the PRAXIS exam in 2002-2003, required for licensure in North Carolina. Since 1997, 92 percent of Elon graduates have passed the exam.
Many Elon graduates remain in the local community to teach once they graduate. Alamance-Burlington schools employed 317 Elon graduates in teaching positions during the 2003-2004 school year, followed by Guilford County (111), Wake County (59) and Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools (46).
“This report confirms that our students are doing well and providing significant service to the public schools in Alamance County and across North Carolina,” said Gerald Dillashaw, dean of the School of Education. “We are proud of our efforts to train lateral entry teachers and place student teachers in local classrooms. This work has enhanced our ties with local schools.”
Elon offers a master’s degree in education as well as a bachelor’s degree with majors in elementary education, middle grades education, special education and special subject areas including French, health education, music education, physical education and Spanish.
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