Accreditation

The School of Education is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). On July 1, 2013, NCATE consolidated with the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC) to form the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). CAEP is the new accrediting body for educator preparation. CAEP continues to require institutions of higher education who prepare school professionals (Education Preparation Providers [EPPs]) to use performance based assessments to measure a candidate’s proficiencies, a programs’ success in achieving its goals, and the EPPs’ operations in support of candidates and programs.

Professional accreditation of preparatory education programs is the bedrock upon which all professions (e.g., architecture, engineering, medicine, and law) have built their reputations. It assures that those entering the respective field have been suitably prepared to practice through assimilation of a body of knowledge and pre-service practice in the profession. Accreditation of schools of education indicates that the school underwent rigorous external review by professionals, that performance of a teacher candidate in the program has been thoroughly assessed before he or she is recommended for licensure, and that programs meet standards set by the teaching profession at large.

Regional accreditation organizations are now following this same rigorous approach to assessments and are asking faculty from education to be leaders at their institutions. This paradigm shift is creating a culture on college campuses towards innovation and quality improvements.

For additional information on accreditation please visit http://caepnet.org.