Siena Heights Approved Programs
Programs offered by Siena Heights University approved by the Michigan Department of Education and CAEP.
| Early Childhood | Elementary Grades | Middle and High School | K-12 Programs |
| Birth – Kindergarten | PK – 3rd Grade | 5-9 Language Arts | Special Education – Learning Disabilities |
| Early Childhood B.A. Non-Cert | 3rd – 6th Grade | 5-9 Mathematics | Special Education – Cognitive Impairment |
| Early Childhood A.A. | 5-9 Social Studies | Music Education | |
| CDA Credential | 7-12 Language Arts | ||
| 7-12 Mathematics | |||
| 7-12 Social Studies |
How Effective is a Siena Heights Teacher?
Our Candidates know how to teach and know their content.
At Siena Heights University, we believe educator preparation programs should be held to high standards. Our teacher preparation program demonstrates that we prepare teachers who have a positive impact on children’s learning and development. We collect and analyze performance-based data to help us understand the answers to questions such as: What do our candidates know? Do their employers feel they are well-prepared? By analyzing data we are able to document the effectiveness of our programs and continuously improve the way we prepare teachers to meet the needs of students. Guiding these high standards for continuous improvement are the following eight (8) annual reporting measures for accreditation by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
What is Measured?
Measure 1: Completer Effectiveness
- Do completers help PK-12 students learn and succeed?
- Do completers know what to teach and how to teach?
Measure 2: Satisfaction of Stakeholders and Stakeholder Involvement
- Are employers satisfied with the work of program graduates?
- Are program stakeholders informed and/or involved with program decisions?
- Do programs make positive contributions to PK-12 schools?
Measure 3: Candidate Competency at Completion
- Are candidates competent in subject material?
- Do candidates have the necessary dispositions to be effective teachers?
Measure 4: Ability of Candidates to be Hired
- Are candidates hired in the field for which they are prepared?
- Are new (1-3 year) teachers effective?
Who Qualifies as a Completer?
Measure 1: Completer Effectiveness
1. Impact on P-12 Learning and Development
The Michigan Department of Education (MDE)’s surveys of cooperating teachers for all student teachers specifically asks this question: “During the experience, my K-12 school collaborated with the college/university’s preparation program to positively impact the learning and development of K-12 students in my classroom.” Cooperating teachers indicate that indeed Siena Heights’ candidates positively impact the learning and development of their students.
Beginning with surveys in 2020-21, the following questions were asked which equate to: To what extend did the candidate:
- connect learning experiences to a variety of backgrounds
- support all students’ socioemotional development?
- communicate effectively with families/caregivers to promote individual student growth?
- build respectful relationships with every student?
- recognize individuals’ potential as demonstrated by setting high expectations for each student?
100% of mentor teachers ranked Siena Heights University Candidate as “To a Great Extent” and “To a Moderate Extent” thus demonstrating the “positive impact on the learning and development of their students.”
Measure 1: Completer Effectiveness: Data Source: Michigan Department of Education Survey
| Indicator | 2021-2022 State Average | 2022-2023 State Average | 2023-2024 State Average | 2021-2022 Siena Heights | 2022-2023 Siena Heights | 2023-2024 Siena Heights |
| Positive Impact | 97% | 97.9% | 100% | 100% |
Measure 1: Completer Effectiveness
Data Sources:
2021-2022 Michigan Department of Education Aggregated
2022-2023 Michigan Department of Education Aggregated
•Candidate Teaching Skills Data Sources – Candidate Survey Suite and MTTC Cumulative Pass Rates
•Teaching Promise – Candidate Survey Suite
| Indicator | 2021-2022 State | 2022-2023 State | 2023-2024 State | 2021-22 Siena Heights | 2022-23 Siena Heights | 2023-24 Siena Heights |
| Candidate Teaching Skill | 92.3% | 87% | 95.2% | 84.1% | ||
| Teaching Promise | 97.7% | 97% | 100% | 96.3% |
Measure 2: Satisfaction of Employers and Stakeholder Involvement
Measure 2: Satisfaction of Employers and Stakeholder Involvement
The Michigan Department of Education uses a variety of measures to create an overall rating of the Education Program Provider (EPP)
Data Source: MDE Rating of EPP 2021 – 2024
•Candidate Rating – MDE Candidate Survey Suite
•Diverse Opportunities – MDE Candidate Survey Suite and School Demographics
•Program Partnership Strength – MDE Candidate Survey Suite
| Indicator | 2021-2022 State Average | 2022-2023 State Average | 2023-2024 State Average | 2021-2022 Siena Heights | 2022-2023 Siena Heights | 2023-2024 Siena Heights |
| Candidate Rating of Program | 90.7% | 91% | 95.7% | 96.2% | ||
| Diverse Opportunities | 81.5% | 73% | 100% | 79.2% | ||
| Program Partnership Strength | 90.4% | 91% | 93.8% | 92.9% |
Full Report from the Michigan Department of Education for the 2021-2022 Educator Effectiveness Rating (Reported in 2023)
Full Report from the Michigan Department of Education for the 2022-2023 Educator Effectiveness Rating (Reported in 2024)
Indicators of Teaching Effectiveness
Siena Heights’ graduates in their first three years of teaching rate above the state average on teaching effectiveness. In the 2014-16 and 2018-22, 100% of the graduates were rated effective or highly effective. In 2016-17, 97% (34/35) graduates were rated effective or highly effective. (See also the above, case study of completer P-12 student growth data for teaching effectiveness.)
| Year | Number | Effective or Highly Effective | Minimally Effective or Ineffective |
| 2019-2020 | 31 | 100% | 0 |
| 2020-2021 | 20 | 100% | 0 |
| 2021-2022 | 19 | 100% | 0 |
| 2022-2023 | N/A | 90.6 | 9.4% |
| 2023-2024 |
Satisfaction of Employers
Data Source: MDE Cooperating (Mentor) Teacher Survey Results
Satisfaction of Employers
Data Source: MDE Cooperating (Mentor) Teacher Survey
Results
| Category Summaries | 2021-2022 State Average | 2022-2023 State Average | 2023-2024 State Average | 2021-2022 Siena Heights Mentor Teachers | 2022-2023 Siena Heights Mentor Teachers | 2023-2024 Siena Heights Mentor Teachers |
| Meeting Student Needs | 91.4% | 97.1% | 83.8% | 96.2% | ||
| Technology | 98.1% | 94.8% | 92.6% | 100% | ||
| Instructional Strategies and Assessment | 94.1% | 87.4% | 82.7% | 97.2% | ||
| Professionalism | 99.4% | 95.8% | 88.9% | 100% | ||
| Professional Awareness | Not Asked | Not Asked | 88.9% | Not Asked | ||
| Diverse Opportunities | Not Asked | 96.6% | Not Asked | Not Asked | ||
| Clinical Experience and Program Preparation | Not Asked | 85.2% | 85.7% | Not Asked | ||
| Overall | 100% | 94.5% | 88.9% | 100% |
Satisfaction of Employers
Potential employers of Siena Heights University candidates (building principals where our teacher candidates worked) along with the cooperating teachers for each teacher candidate, provide feedback to the Teacher Education Program on how our teacher candidates perform in 14 areas. These components are part of what potential employers assess when hiring teachers. The table that follows shows the average score for each component based on a four-point scale with four being a strongly agree and one being a strongly disagree. The reporting of components by the Michigan Department of Education changes as the MDE refines their survey process. Below are the results from the 2021-22 surveys:
Our teacher candidates show mastery in each of these components:
| Category Summaries | 2021-2022 Siena Heights | 2022-2023 Siena Heights | 2023-2024 Siena Heights |
| Instructional Strategies and Assessment | 100% | 50% | 92.9% |
| Meeting Student Needs | 100% | 42.9% | 96.3% |
| Technology | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| External Relationships | 100% | 100% | 91.7% |
| Professionalism | 100% | 66.7% | 91.7% |
| Overall Effectiveness | 100% | 59.5% | 94 |
Stakeholder Involvement – Stakeholder Meetings
Measure 3: Candidate Competency at Completion
Candidates are assessed as competent in three areas: Teaching, using the Danielson Framework for Teaching; Dispositions, using an instrument created by Siena Faculty; and Content Area Knowledge, using a combination of GPA, Completion Rates, and MTTC test results. These results are discussed below.
2021-2022 – All Completers were rated as “Meets” or “Exceeds” the standard
Dispositions
The Dispositions instrument was created by Siena Heights University Education Division Faculty. This instrument is used each semester by the students to self-assess, by college supervisors to assess progress, and by mentor teachers to record field placement observations. The components of the Dispositions instrument are provided below:
Average GPA of Completers:
| Year | Average GPA | n= number |
| 2019-2020 | 3.71 | 8 |
| 2020-2021 | 3.79 | 19 |
| 2021-2022 | 3.83 | 11 |
| 2022-2023 | 3.73 | 17 |
| 2023-2024 | ||
MTTC Passing Rates
Candidates in Michigan are required to pass the MTTC test in their area of preparation. Candidates may take the test when they have completed a majority of their coursework. They may also wait until they have completed student teaching. Passage of the MTTC test indicates sufficient understanding of content and pedagogy to be successful in a PK-12 classroom.
| Overall Test Takers | 2020-2021 | 2021-2022 | 2022-2023 | 2023-2024 |
| Total Takers | 19 | 11 | 32 | |
| Total Passed | 19 | 10 | 27 |
Completer/Graduation Rates
The following table shows Program Completers by Program Area (from Title II annual reports of teachers prepared by subject areas. In some years, counts include individuals who completed programs in more than one area. Note: Due to Covid 19, many candidates who would have normally completed in 2020 were not able to take their MTTC Content Area Tests and are listed as completers in the 2020-2021 year
| Program Area: | 2015-16 | 2016-17 | 2017-18 | 2018-19 | 2019-20 | 2020-21 | 2021-2022 | 2022-2023 | 2023-2024 |
| Elementary Education | 15 | 5 | 11 | 4 | 3 | 16 | 4 | 13 | |
| Early Childhood Education | — | 2 | 4 | — | — | 7 | — | 1 | |
| Special Education | — | 5 | 4 | — | — | 5 | 3 | 6 | |
| Physical Education | — | 1 | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Music Education | — | 2 | 1 | — | 4 | — | 2 | 1 | |
| English | — | 1 | — | 1 | — | — | 1 | 0 | |
| Social Studies | 3 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | — | 2 | |
| Mathematics | 1 | — | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| English/Language Arts | — | — | 3 | — | 1 | 6 | — | 2 | |
| Biology | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Spanish | — | — | — | 1 | — | — | — | 1 | |
| Chemistry | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Source – Michigan Department of Education MTTC Data 2020-2023
| Subject Area Test | Number of Test Takers | Pass Rate |
| 002 English Secondary | 4 | 100% |
| 132 English Language Arts Grades 5-7 | N/A | N/A |
| 130 English Language Arts Grades 7-12 | N/A | N/A |
| 009 History | 1 | 0% |
| 002 Mathematics Secondary | 1 | 100% |
| 133 Mathematics Grades 5-9 | N/A | N/A |
| 131 Mathematics Grades 7-12 | N/A | N/A |
| 084 Social Studies Secondary | 5 | 80% |
| Social Studies Grades 5-9 | N/A | N/A |
| Social Studies Grades 7-12 | N/A | N/A |
| 056 Cognitive Impairment | 4 | 100% |
| 115 Cognitive Impairment | 6 | 100% |
| 063 Learning Disabilities | N/A | N/A |
| 114 Learning Disabilities | 5 | 100% |
| 090 Language Arts Elementary | 9 | 66.7% |
| 092 Reading Specialist | 1 | 100% |
| 099 Music Education | 8 | 50% |
| 106 ECE General and Special Education | 3 | 66.7% |
| 132 Early Childhood General and Special Education Birth – K | 1 | 100% |
| 103 Elementary Education | 35 | 91.4% |
| 117 Lower Elementary (PK-3) | 0 | N/A |
| 118 Lower Elementary (PK-3) | 0 | N/A |
| 119 Lower Elementary (PK-3) | 1 | 100% |
| 120 Lower Elementary (PK-3) | 1 | 100% |
| 121 Upper Elementary (3-6) | 1 | 100% |
| 122 Upper Elementary (3-6) | 1 | 100% |
| 123 Upper Elementary (3-6) | 1 | 100% |
| 124 Upper Elementary (3-6) | 1 | 100% |
| All Content Area Tests | 91 | 85.7 |
Measure 4: Ability of Teachers to be Hired for the Position for Which They were Prepared
Teacher Candidate Satisfaction
Satisfaction of Completers
Michigan Department of Education (MDE) surveys graduates one year after graduation. The surveys of Siena Heights’ graduates one-year out, indicate very high levels of satisfaction with their preparation to be successful and effective teachers averaging 97-100% efficacy.
Data Source: Michigan Department of Education Candidate Satisfaction Survey
| Indicator | 2021-2022 Siena Height Candidates | 2022-2023 Siena Heights Candidates | 2023-2024 Siena Heights Candidates |
| Meeting Student Needs | 96.4% | 97% | |
| Technology | 93.9% | 100% | |
| Instructional Strategies and Assessment | 98.0% | 98.1% | |
| Professionalism | 100% | 100% | |
| Professionalism | 92.% | 91.7% | |
| Diverse Opportunities | 100% | 100% | |
| Clinical Experiences and Program Preparation | 94.8% | 95.2% | |
| Overall | 100% | 100% |
Efficacy Scores (percent) by Strand from MDE Year-Out Surveys
While Siena Heights University is both small and produces a small number of teachers comparative to many of the other Education Preparation Programs in the state, year-out survey data confirms that graduates are consistently satisfied with their education program and feel prepared for their job search and classroom responsibilities. With a total of nine survey respondents from the 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19, and 2019-2020 school years, 87% of the respondents indicated they either strongly agreed or somewhat agreed with all 38 of the questions/prompts.
SHU Division of Education faculty analyzes the year-out survey data as well as data from teacher candidates, candidate supervisors, cooperating teachers, and course evaluations each year to inform and revise the education program. This analysis of assessment data, reflection, and commitment to continuous improvement both strengthens the EPP and serves as a model of good practice for SHU teacher candidates.
Ability of Completers to Meet Licensing (Certification) and Any Additional State Requirements
Our Candidates know their content. The average GPA of completers.
| Year | Average GPA | n= number |
| 2016-17 | 3.85 | 9 |
| 2017-18 | 3.65 | 16 |
| 2018-19 | 3.9 | 6 |
| 2019-20 | 3.71 | 8 |
| 2020-21 | 3.79 | 19 |
| 2021-22 | 3.83 | 11 |
Siena Heights University candidates average consistently above the required 3.0 GPA. Over a three-year period, candidates are averaging between a 3.65–3.9 by graduation.
Michigan Test for Teacher Certification, August 2020 – July 2023
Over this three-year period, the overall passage rate for all test-takers on the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification was 82.8%. The following table dis-aggregates the data by test:
** Number of test takers < 5; — means the state did not have enough test takers to create a %
| Program | N | SHU Pass Rate (%) | State Pass Rate (%) |
| English (002) | 6 | 68 | 86.3 |
| History (009) | 2 | 50 | 67.7 |
| Biology (017) | 0 | N/A | 81.7 |
| Chemistry (018) | 0 | N/A | 82.9 |
| Mathematics (Sec) (022) | 1** | 100 | 85.6 |
| Spanish (028) | 0** | N/A | 89.9 |
| Physical Education (044) | 1** | 100 | 80 |
| School Counselor (051) | 0 | N/A | 96.5 |
| Cognitive Impairment (056) | 14 | 86 | 86.7 |
| Learning Disabilities (063) | 0 | N/A | 89.1 |
| Learning Disabilities (114) | 5** | 100 | 95.6 |
| Social Studies (Sec) (084) | 5 | 100 | 83.8 |
| Mathematics (Elementary) (089) | 0 | N/A | 86.1 |
| Language Arts (Elementary) (090) | 9 | 56 | 81.4 |
| Reading Specialist (092) | 2 | 100 | 93.2 |
| Music Education (099) | 16 | 83 | 97.4 |
| Elementary Education (103) | 39 | 90 | 83.4 |
| Social Studies (Elementary) (105) | 1** | 0 | 73 |
| Early Childhood Education (General and Special Education) (106) | 3 | 67 | 75.4 |
Year Out Survey
| Year | Response Rate | Average Percent of Efficacy |
| 2021-2022 | 3 of 19 | 85% |
| 2022-2023 | ||
| 2023-2024 | 6 of 12 | 79.2% |
| Indicator | 2021-2022 State | 2022-2023 State | 2023-2024 State | 2021-2022 Siena Heights | 2022-2023 Siena Heights | 2023-2024 Siena Heights | |
| Career Support | N/A | 57% | 57.9% | N/A | 66.7% | 66.7% | |
| Overall Preparation | 84.8% | 85.2% | 83.3% | 100% | 100% | 100% | |
| Meeting Student Needs | 68.5% | 69.8% | 72.9% | 81.5% | 95% | 90% | |
| Technology | 82.1% | 81.3% | 81.9% | 83.8% | 100% | 75% | |
| Instructional Strategies and Assessment | 72.6% | 72.2% | 75.4% | 88.9% | 72.2% | 81.5% | |
| Professionalism | 85.5% | 86.2% | 84.2% | 66.7% | 100% | 83.3% | |
| Clinical Experience and Program Preparation | 75.8% | 71.5% | 54.2% | 88.9% | 94.4% | 58.3% |
For employed graduates completing the 2021-2024 Year Out Surveys for the Michigan Department of Education, indicated that the program prepared them well for the teaching job market, supported them in their job search, the university holds a positive reputation among prospective employers, and the university provided good advice on job placement opportunities. Siena Heights also prepares teachers in high needs fields (special education, early childhood education, mathematics, science, and reading) so completers have excellent job prospects upon graduation.