HPU Education Students Again Score 100% Pass Rate on Teacher Performance Exam
High Point University’s Stout School of Education earned a 100% pass rate on the Educative Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA) for a fourth consecutive year. Education students walk outside the Stout School of Education.
HIGH POINT, N.C., April 17, 2025 – High Point University’s Stout School of Education earned a 100% pass rate on the Educative Teacher Performance Assessment (edTPA) for a fourth consecutive year.
The HPU Class of 2025 from the Bachelor of Arts teacher licensure programs recorded a perfect pass rate on the edTPA, compared to the national average pass rate of 72% for this multi-part assessment, which is required for teacher licensure.
“I could not be prouder to announce that 100% of our undergraduate students have successfully passed the national edTPA assessment,” said Dr. Amy Holcombe, dean of the Stout School of Education. “This achievement is a testament to their hard work, dedication and passion for becoming transformative educators. It also reflects the commitment of our faculty and staff to prepare future teachers who are ready to make a meaningful impact.”
To become licensed in North Carolina, all teachers must pass the edTPA, which is considered the gold standard for measuring the performance of teacher candidates. This rigorous, performance-based portfolio assessment calls on candidates to showcase their planning, instruction and assessment of K-12 student learning during their final teaching practicum.
“Not only did I have an exceptional supervisor, but also a very supportive team of professors throughout the process,” said Megan Bartel, a senior elementary education major who is from Stratham, New Hampshire. “HPU’s semester-long class dedicated to the edTPA Handbook made me feel confident going into the writing process, and allowed me to create articulate, thorough responses. Because of this, I received a passing score that reflected this hard work. I am so grateful for the support HPU has given me as a senior elementary education major because I feel equipped and excited to apply what I’ve learned from edTPA and my program in my own future classroom.”
The Stout School of Education has long been recognized for its excellence. The teacher education programs meet the requirements for both the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) and the North Carolina State Board of Education. Students successfully completed the edTPA in licensure areas, including elementary mathematics, elementary literacy, special education, secondary social studies and secondary English.
“The Stout School of Education faculty was key to my edTPA success,” said Tyler Goetz, a middle grades education: social studies major from Beachwood, Ohio. “Their guidance on planning, instruction and assessment was invaluable. I felt genuinely supported throughout the entire process. Not only did I feel supported, but check-in meetings also played a vital role in the support system. The HPU Stout School of Education advised me not only when it came to passing the exam but also regarding my student teaching experience, helping me build confidence within my classroom.”
Bryanna Ackerman, a special education adapted curriculum major, also said she felt supported by HPU’s faculty throughout the edTPA process.
“Their constant encouragement and genuine belief in my success turned a stressful experience into something more manageable,” said Ackerman, who is from Bethpage, New York. “I’m incredibly grateful for how they walked alongside me every step of the way. Stout has become my home away from home, and the unwavering support I’ve received from every member of the staff is what has made my time here so special.”
The Stout School of Education’s 100% pass rate on the edTPA will result in a boost for surrounding school districts. Students are offered many opportunities to practice their skills in local schools, beginning in their freshman year. A number of those students go on to become teachers in the area.
“Many of our graduates accept jobs in the Piedmont Triad region and will begin their first year of teaching already prepared to positively impact student outcomes,” said Holcombe. “We are proud to produce such well-prepared teachers and to serve our K-12 partners as a resource.”