Monday, May 18, 2009
Accreditation continues for USI teacher education programs
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The Bower-Suhrheinrich College of Education and Human Services at the University of Southern Indiana has received continuing accreditation from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), the organization responsible for professional accreditation of teacher education programs. An eight-member Board of Examiners team representing NCATE and the Indiana Department of Education’s Office of Educator Licensing and Development visited USI in November. As a result of the site visit and documentation provided by the University, the joint Board of Examiners team recommended that accreditation be continued for all teacher certification programs. The Unit Accreditation Board of NCATE accepted the recommendations of the team. This accreditation decision indicates that USI teacher education programs meet rigorous standards set forth by the professional education community. NCATE granted continuing accreditation at two levels — initial and advanced. USI’s undergraduate programs prepare students for their initial license to teach. The college offers undergraduate programs in elementary education, early childhood education, and special education and provides the education courses needed for secondary education. At the graduate (advanced) level, USI offers a Master of Science in Education and an educational leadership program. USI teacher education programs have been continuously accredited since 1973. Dr. Julie H. Edmister, dean of the Bower-Suhrheinrich College of Education and Human Services, said, “Extension of accreditation is a clear affirmation of the high quality of our teacher education programs. Our track record of accreditation establishes that we are committed to preparing candidates with the knowledge and skills they need to serve effectively as teachers and administrators in K-12 schools.” In its report the Board of Examiners identified strengths of USI teacher preparation programs. The strengths include field experiences that give students opportunities to complete collaborative projects, use of information technology, and engagement in service learning. The team also recognized the USI facilities and instructional technology as “state-of-the-art and extensive.” Edmister said, “The accreditation process is a collaborative effort involving support internally across USI colleges, departments, and offices as well as the external support of our community school partners, area teachers, early-childhood agencies, alumni, students, and constituents.” The continuing accreditation is for a term of eight years. The next site visit will be conducted in 2016. NCATE currently accredits 623 institutions that produce two-thirds of the nation’s new teacher graduates each year. Another 99 institutions are candidates or pre-candidates for accreditation. Betty Vawter News and Information Services bvawter@usi.edu |
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