Gardner-Webb Teacher Candidates Excel on edTPA Assessment, Surpassing National Average

College of Education Celebrates 91% First-Attempt Pass Rate with Seven Achieving Highly Qualified Status

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Faculty and staff in the Gardner-Webb University College of Education are celebrating graduates scores on edTPA, a national assessment that measures aspiring teachers’ readiness for the classroom. Dr. Donna Hamrick Suttle, instructor and edTPA coordinator at GWU, reported that 22 teacher candidates submitted edTPA portfolios for review for Fall 2025.

“Our first submission pass rate for this cycle is 91% with seven candidates scoring what edTPA considers ‘Highly Qualified,’” Suttle stated. “While a first submission pass rate of 100% is always our goal, 91% does surpass the national pass rate of 72%. We are proud of all candidates’ endurance, drive, and tenacity throughout this process.”

The candidates who didn’t pass will be supported by the College of Education through the resubmission process. “With our second submission, we know we can achieve a 100% passing rate for Fall 2025,” Suttle affirmed.

edTPA requires aspiring teachers to demonstrate readiness to teach through lesson plans designed to support their students’ strengths and needs; engage real students in ambitious learning; analyze whether their students are learning; and adjust their instruction to become more effective. Teacher candidates submit unedited video recordings of themselves at work in a real classroom as part of a portfolio that is scored by highly trained educators. edTPA builds on decades of teacher performance assessment development and research regarding teaching skills and practices that improve student learning.

“The edTPA scores highlight the exceptional work of our faculty and staff in supporting candidate success,” praised College of Education Dean and Professor Dr. Prince Hycy Bull. “These results reflect strong academic preparation and demonstrate that our candidates possess the knowledge, skills, and dispositions required for impactful practice in diverse K-12 settings.”

Gardner-Webb University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., Gardner-Webb prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Learn more at gardner-webb.edu.