Value-Added Model (VAM)

The 2011 Florida Legislature passed a law requiring that teachers in Florida be evaluated using student achievement data. Beginning in the 2011-12 academic year, VAM calculations are conducted for all Florida teachers of reading and math in grades 4-10, and the Florida Department of Education provides VAM data for state-approved program completers in Florida public schools.

To determine our graduates’ impact on P-12 student learning, the University of Florida compiles, synthesizes, and analyzes data provided by the Florida Department of Education for all program completers teaching in Florida public schools during their first year of teaching. The VAM score reflects the average amount of learning growth of the teacher’s P-12 students above or below the expected learning growth of similar students in the state, using ten separate variables that are accounted for in the model. These include: (1) number of subject-relevant courses in which the student is enrolled, (2) up to two prior years of achievement scores, (3) Students with Disabilities (SWD) status, (4) English Language Learner (ELL) status, (5) Gifted status, (6) attendance, (7) mobility, (8) difference from modal age in grade (as an indicator of retention), (9) class size, and (10) homogeneity of entering test scores.

A teacher’s VAM score is an estimate of their impact on P-12 student learning while accounting for other, additional factors that may also have an impact on student learning. A score of “0” indicates that students performed no better or worse that what was expected based on the model. A positive score indicates student performance was better than expected, while a negative score indicates performance was worse than expected. These effects are attributed to teacher impact. The link to the file below shows Value-Added Model results aggregated across program completers for several years. Data are organized by year for program graduates teaching in Florida public schools as first year teachers.

Value-Added Model (PDF, 170KB)

For more information, please visit:

• Florida’s Value-Added Models FAQ

There are two components of the Florida teacher evaluation system: student growth/performance and instructional practice. Florida Statute 1012.34 describes Florida’s teacher evaluation requirements and is the authorizing Statute for district evaluation systems. The Statute, “requires school districts establish procedures for evaluating the performance of instructional, administrative, and supervisory personnel in order to increase student academic performance by improving the quality of services in public schools.”

Overall teacher effectiveness results are provided to the institution annually for program completers employed in Florida public schools in their first year of teaching. Annual evaluation ratings include the following: Highly Effective, Effective, Needs Improvement (for teachers teaching more than three years) or Developing (for teachers with experience of three years or less), and Unsatisfactory. Local districts develop their own teacher evaluation systems consistent with State law and guidelines. Growth or performance data for the teacher’s students and observation of instructional practice must each comprise at least one third of the overall evaluation. Other measures may be added at the discretion of the local district.

Teacher Evaluations (PDF, 86KB)

For more information, please visit:

• Florida Department of Education Performance Evaluation
• Florida Department of Education, Summary and Analysis of Program Performance
• Overview of Florida’s Teacher Evaluation System

The Graduate and Employer Satisfaction Surveys are sent out each year to graduates of all State-approved programs employed in Florida public schools and their respective employers. The purpose of these surveys is to elicit feedback from graduates one year out in the field and their respective employers regarding their perceptions of their educator preparation. Each year, this feedback is disaggregated and summarized for each program and distributed to program coordinators and faculty for their consideration in making programmatic improvements as part of the Continuous Improvement Process.

The Florida Department of Education provides the institution with employment information for program completers of all State-approved programs teaching or serving in Florida public schools. Employment milestones such as placement (i.e., initial employment) and retention (i.e., rehire) can be found in the link below. For further analysis, program completer employment and retention rates are compared to statewide averages.

• • Employment Milestones (PDF, 61KB)
  • 2018-2019 ITP Overall Summary Graduate & Employer Satisfaction (PDF, 85KB)
  • 2018-2019 Educational Leadership Graduate & Employer Satisfaction (PDF, 66KB)
  • 2018-2019 School Counseling & Guidance Graduate & Employer Satisfaction (PDF, 119KB)
  • 2018-2019 School Psychology Graduate & Employer Satisfaction (PDF, 119KB)

The College of Education tracks the number and percentages of candidates that complete the State-approved programs. The following tables includes graduation rates for admits over the course of several academic years.

Graduation Rates (PDF, 99KB)

As required in Florida Statute and Rule, completers of all State-approved programs must take and pass the tests of the Florida Teacher Certification Exam prior to program completion. Tests include the General Knowledge Exam (i.e., basic skills), the Professional Education Exam, and at least one content-relevant Subject Area Exam. Passage rates for all program completers are also reported annually to the Florida Department of Education as part of the Title II Institutional Reporting processes.

Title II (PDF, 64KB) 

Each year the Florida Department of Education distributes employment data to institutions, private providers, and districts with State-approved programs. Data include program completers employed in Florida public schools in their first year after program completion, including the place of employment and position in which they serve. Please see the link below which includes the number and percentage of program completers employed in Florida public schools in their first year of employment by State-approved program and across several years.

Employment (PDF, 84KB)

The University of Florida participates in the US Department of Education’s Title IV federal loan programs. Average student loan indebtedness and loan default rates are provided in aggregate form for all UF undergraduate students and those in State-approved Initial Teacher Preparation and Advanced programs. Additional resources, including the Cost of Attendance, is also provided.

• • • Student Debt and Default Rates (PDF, 60KB)
    • Tuition and Cost of Attendance (PDF, 59KB)

For additional information, please visit:

• • • UF Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships
    • Gator Financial Aid, A Guide for Students and Families