Watson College of Education Alumni Survey
Spring 2015
Overall Results
In Spring 2015, the Watson College of Education (WCE) administered a survey to alumni who graduated
one, three, and five years ago. The purpose of the survey was to determine alumni perceptions of
impacts of their WCE programs and faculty on knowledge, skills, and dispositions related to the WCE
Mission, Values, and Conceptual Framework; and to determine their perceptions of the extent to which
their current practice addresses the WCE Mission, Values, and Conceptual Framework. Background
information to describe the alumni who completed the survey was also collected, as well as information
related to alumni accomplishments and positive impacts on student learning. The electronic survey was
sent to 1,170 alumni using the email addresses available to us; 182 alumni completed the survey.
Background Information
Alumni Information
Number
Percentage
147
5
2
0
1
80.8
2.7
1.1
0
.5
Central Office Administrator
Manager
University/College Administrator
University/College Staff Member
University/College Faculty Member
Other
Current Employment Location (n = 181)
3
2
0
5
1
16
1.6
1.1
0
2.7
.5
8.8
North Carolina
U.S. but not North Carolina
Not in the U.S.
Current Employer (n = 172)
159
20
2
87.8
11.0
1.1
North Carolina Public Schools
139
80.8
Other
33
19.2
Current Position (n = 182)
Teacher
Assistant Principal
Principal
Assistant/Associate Superintendent
Superintendent
WCE Alumni Survey Spring 2015
Overall Results
Number
Percentage
130
31
9
71.4
17.0
4.9
12
0
6.6
0
Female
159
Male
23
Race/Ethnicity (n = 182) *checked all that apply
87.4
12.6
African American/Black
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian
Hispanic/Latino
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
White
Highest Degree Received (n = 181)
6
1
1
2
0
172
3.3
.5
.5
1.1
0
94.5
Bachelor's Degree
Master's Degree
Education Specialist Degree
Doctoral Degree
Career Milestones *checked all that apply
101
74
1
5
55.8
40.9
.6
2.8
Age (n = 182)
21-30 years old
31-40 years old
41-50 years old
51-60 years old
61 or more years old
Gender (n = 182)
National Board Certification
Additional Licensures/Certifications,
Awards (including 11 Teacher of the
Year/Beginning Teacher of the Year
awards)
15
39
WCE Degree and/or Licensure Information
Most Recent WCE Degree/Licensure (n = 181)
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.)
Master of Education (M.Ed.)
Master of School Administration (M.S.A.)
Master of Instructional Technology (M.S.)
Education Doctorate (Ed.D.)
Licensure Only (Undergraduate)
Licensure Only (Graduate)
Year Completed Degree/Licensure (n = 181)
2012-2013 school year (1 year ago)
2010-2011 school year (3 years ago)
2008-2009 school year (5 years ago)
Number
Percentage
104
17
38
5
4
5
5
3
57.5
9.4
21.0
2.8
2.2
2.8
2.8
1.7
55
67
59
30.4
37.0
32.6
2
WCE Alumni Survey Spring 2015
Overall Results
Degree/Licensure Program Delivery (n = 180)
Traditional
Hybrid
Extension
Online
Other
131
32
8
9
0
72.8
17.8
4.4
5.0
0
Most Recent WCE Degree and/or Licensure Program (n = 182) *checked all that apply
Education of Young Children B-K
Elementary Education K-6
Special Education K-12 General Program
Special Education K-12 Adapted Program
Middle Grades Education 6-9
Secondary Education 9-12 Licensure-Only (English,
Mathematics, Science, Social Studies)
Secondary Education K-12 Licensure-Only (Health and
P.E., Music, Foreign Language)
Academically and Intellectually Gifted Add-On Licensure
English as a Second Language Add-On Licensure
Master of Arts in Teaching: Elementary
Master of Arts in Teaching: Middle Grades
Master of Arts in Teaching: Secondary
Master of Education: Elementary Education
Master of Education: Curriculum/Instruction Supervision
Master of Education: Middle Grades Education
Master of Education: Language and Literacy
Master of Education: Secondary Education
Master of Education: Higher Education
Master of School Administration
Master of Science in Instructional Technology
Ed.D. in Educational Leadership
Curriculum/Instruction Supervision Add-On Licensure
Reading Add-On Licensure
School Administration Add-On Licensure
Number
2
68
21
3
9
19
Percentage
1.1
37.4
11.5
1.6
4.9
10.4
7
3.8
1
5
1
0
13
3
11
1
8
9
2
5
4
6
0
0
2
.5
2.7
.5
0
7.1
1.6
6.0
.5
4.4
4.9
1.1
2.7
2.2
3.3
0
0
1.1
3
WCE Alumni Survey Spring 2015
Overall Results
Impact of Program
Results below include the number of alumni who responded to each item (n-size), the response
percentages for each item and corresponding frequency (in parentheses), and each item mean and
standard deviation (SD).
1=Strongly Disagree; 2=Disagree; 3= Neither Agree Nor Disagree; 4=Agree; 5=Strongly Agree
Please indicate your OVERALL level of agreement with each of the following statements about
your degree or licensure-only program in the Watson College of Education.
Response Percentage (Frequency)
Mean
n-size
1
2
3
4
5
(SD)
Helped me develop the
182
.5
4.4
5.5
48.4
41.2
4.25
knowledge and skills
(1)
(8)
(10)
(88)
(75)
(.80)
needed to be a proficient
education professional.
Increased/reinforced my
dedication to improving
schools.
Increased/reinforced my
dedication to improving
society.
Was academically
rigorous.
181
.6
(1)
2.2
(4)
12.7
(23)
48.1
(87)
36.5
(66)
4.18
(.78)
180
.6
(1)
1.7
(3)
15.0
(27)
44.4
(80)
38.3
(69)
4.18
(.79)
181
Provided sufficient
opportunities to engage
with schools or other
application sites.
Provided sufficient
opportunities to engage
with organizations (e.g.,
businesses, foundations,
community organizations).
Provided sufficient
opportunities to work with
diverse communities (e.g.,
schools, organizations,
groups).
179
1.7
(3)
1.7
(3)
8.3
(15)
7.8
(14)
7.7
(14)
8.4
(15)
49.7
(90)
36.9
(66)
32.6
(59)
45.3
(81)
4.03
(.94)
4.16
(.99)
181
3.3
(6)
19.9
(36)
20.4
(37)
37.6
(68)
18.8
(34)
3.49
(1.11)
180
2.8
(5)
9.4
(17)
13.9
(25)
42.8
(77)
31.1
(56)
3.90
(1.04)
Developed my ability to
effectively engage
learners.
Developed my ability to
effectively assess
learning.
Helped me develop
appropriate professional
dispositions and values.
181
.6
(1)
6.1
(11)
7.7
(14)
53.6
(97)
32.0
(58)
4.10
(.83)
180
1.1
(2)
8.9
(16)
11.1
(20)
46.1
(83)
32.8
(59)
4.01
(.95)
179
1.1
(2)
1.7
(3)
5.6
(10)
45.8
(82)
45.8
(82)
4.34
(.76)
4
WCE Alumni Survey Spring 2015
Overall Results
Please indicate your OVERALL level of agreement with each of the following statements about the
faculty in your program in the Watson College of Education.
Response Percentage (Frequency)
Mean
n-size
1
2
3
4
5
(SD)
Were knowledgeable
180
.6
.6
2.8
43.3
52.8
4.47
and proficient education
(1)
(1)
(5)
(78)
(95)
(.64)
professionals.
Were current in their
181
.6
1.7
2.2
44.8
50.8
4.44
field of expertise.
(1)
(3)
(4)
(81)
(92)
(.68)
Used research in their
181
.6
1.7
3.3
43.1
51.4
4.43
teaching.
(1)
(3)
(6)
(78)
(93)
(.69)
Were committed to
181
.6
.6
2.8
40.3
55.8
4.50
advancing the education
(1)
(1)
(5)
(73)
(101)
(.64)
profession.
Were committed to WCE
179
.6
1.1
3.4
38.0
57.0
4.50
student success.
(1)
(2)
(6)
(68)
(102)
(.67)
Current Practice
Results below include the number of alumni who responded to each item (n-size), the response
percentages for each item and corresponding frequency (in parentheses), and each item mean and
standard deviation (SD).
1=Strongly Disagree; 2=Disagree; 3= Neither Agree Nor Disagree; 4=Agree; 5=Strongly Agree
Please take a moment to reflect on your current practice, then rate your OVERALL level of
agreement with each of the following statements about your current position.
Response Percentage (Frequency)
Mean
n-size
1
2
3
4
5
(SD)
I advocate to improve
179
1.1
.6
6.1
45.8
46.4
4.36
schools.
(2)
(1)
(11)
(82)
(83)
(.72)
I advocate to improve
180
1.1
.6
10.6
38.9
48.9
4.34
society.
(2)
(1)
(19)
(70)
(88)
(.78)
I value diversity in
180
1.1
0
1.1
28.9
68.9
4.64
teaching and learning.
(2)
(2)
(52)
(124)
(.62)
I uphold ethical standards
179
1.1
0
1.1
24.0
73.7
4.69
to ensure just and
(2)
(2)
(43)
(132)
(.61)
respectful educational
practices.
I use my understanding of
global perspectives and
practices to inspire
connections and erase
boundaries.
I adopt new
ideas/innovations to meet
changing societal needs.
I develop new
ideas/innovations to meet
changing societal needs.
I demonstrate an attitude of
inquiry—I question,
investigate, explore, and
problem-solve.
179
.6
(1)
1.1
(2)
3.9
(7)
41.3
(74)
53.1
(95)
4.45
(.68)
179
1.1
(2)
.6
(1)
2.2
(4)
43.6
(78)
52.5
(94)
4.46
(.68)
176
1.7
(3)
1.1
(2)
9.7
(17)
44.3
(78)
43.2
(76)
4.26
(.81)
180
.6
(1)
.6
(1)
3.3
(6)
41.7
(75)
53.9
(97)
4.48
(.65)
5
WCE Alumni Survey Spring 2015
Overall Results
I develop nurturing
environments essential for
growth, positive
relationships, and new
ideas.
180
.6
(1)
0
1.7
(3)
32.8
(59)
65.0
(117)
4.62
(.58)
I engage in continual
reflection for learning,
growth, and change.
173
.6
(1)
0
2.9
(5)
30.6
(53)
65.9
(114)
4.61
(.61)
Positive Impacts on Student Learning (n = 97)
Alumni were asked the following question:
If you are currently working in a school or school district position, please provide 1-2 brief
examples of instances where you’ve positively impacted student learning.
Responses fell into the categories below. Responses that could not be categorized (i.e., were not similar
to at least two other responses) are not included. Some responses fell into more than one category. The
number for each category refers to number of responses, not number of alumni.







Student growth in academic achievement (29)
Positive student attitudes towards learning and increased student engagement (20)
Individual student growth in academic achievement through one-on-one support (16)
English as a Second Language student growth (7)
Involving parents and family (4)
Supporting at-risk students (4)
Student growth in positive classroom behavior (3)
Additional Comments (n = 77)
Alumni were asked to respond to the following:
Please add comments that would be useful to the Watson College of Education in documenting
our successes and/or improving our programs and the College.
Responses that could not be categorized (i.e., were not similar to at least two other responses) are not
included. Some responses fell into more than one category. The number for each subcategory refers to
number of responses, not number of alumni.
Successes
 Great experience with the Watson College of Education (11)
 Great faculty (4)
 Great field experiences (3)
Improvements
 More training in classroom management (18)
 More hands-on/classroom experience (16)
 More training in paperwork and assessments (11)
 Better organized internship (3)
6