Process measures excellence of teacher prep programs
Northwestern State University’s Gallaspy College of Education and Human Development was among 42 providers in 23 states and the District of Columbia to earn accreditation for their educator preparation programs (EPPs) from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). During CAEP’s spring 2019 review, the 42 providers were approved under rigorous, nationally recognized CAEP Teacher Preparation Standards.
“These providers meet high standards so that their students receive an education that prepares them to succeed in a diverse range of classrooms after they graduate,” said CAEP President Dr. Christopher A. Koch. “Seeking CAEP Accreditation is a significant commitment on the part of an educator preparation provider.”
CAEP is the sole nationally-recognized accrediting body for educator preparation. Accreditation is a nongovernmental activity based on peer review that serves the dual functions of assuring quality and promoting improvement. CAEP was created by the consolidation of the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and the Teacher Education Accreditation Council. It is a unified accreditation system intent on raising the performance of all providers focused on educator preparation. Approximately 800 educator preparation providers participate in the CAEP Accreditation system, including some previously accredited through former standards.
Educator preparation providers seeking accreditation must pass peer review on five standards, which are based on two principles: solid evidence that the provider’s graduates are competent and caring educators and solid evidence that the provider’s educator staff have the capacity to create a culture of evidence and use it to maintain and enhance the quality of the professional programs they offer.
“The CAEP accreditation process is quite rigorous, and, therefore, is an accurate measure of the excellence of our Teacher Preparation Programs,” said Dr. Katrina Jordan, director of NSU’s School of Education. “The faculty, staff, students and stakeholders of the School of Education at Northwestern State University worked tirelessly to ensure that we were able to receive this accreditation by consistently setting and meeting rigorous academic goals as well as by directly participating in the accreditation process. Thank you to all of those who helped us to reach this incredible milestone. Because we have this ‘seal of approval’ from such a meticulous and highly regarded accreditation body, we can say with certainty that we are thoroughly preparing our students for the workforce while ensuring that their investment into our programs is an excellent one.”
Information on NSU’s Gallaspy College of Education and Human Development and degree programs available can be accessed at.
