Stetson University Department of Education Earns 7-Year CAEP Accreditation
DeLand, Fla. (PRWEB) May 25, 2016 -- Stetson University’s Department of Education has been awarded full accreditation by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). The accreditation is for seven years, through June 30, 2023, and ensures students and alumni that Stetson’s Department of Education has successfully met rigorous standards for teacher education programs.
“Thanks to the coordinated efforts of the faculty of the Department of Education, to their dedication and professionalism, Stetson’s program received highest accolades from CAEP,” said Karen Ryan, Ph.D., dean of Stetson University College of Arts and Sciences. “This is all the more impressive given that our program volunteered to go through the accreditation process in CAEP's first round. This is evidence of the high quality of both faculty and students in our education program.”
CAEP became operational as the sole national accrediting body for educator preparation providers in 2013, resulting from a consolidation of the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC). CAEP accreditation standards were fully implemented this year. Functioning as the profession’s quality control mechanism for teacher preparation, CAEP is a coalition of 34 national education organizations, representing teachers, teacher educators, subject matter specialists and policymakers.
Stetson University Department of Education had the option of being reaccredited under outgoing NCATE standards or becoming an early adopter of the new CAEP standards. Stetson chose the latter and underwent a two-year process, including a comprehensive self study and a site visit by CAEP’s accreditation team. The Department of Education met CAEP’s five standards plus standards for diversity, technology and its continuous improvement plan. Less than 20 educator preparation providers, such as Stetson University, have so far completed the new CAEP accreditation process.
“We received the best rating you can get. All standards were fully met for every area measured,” said Chris Colwell, Ed.D., associate professor and chair of education. “This is the result of years of dedication and hard work by the education department and a commitment to all of the national standards for excellence in teacher preparation.”
Stetson University Department of Education has a graduate-placement rate of more than 95 percent. The department, in collaboration with local schools and the community, stresses a holistic program of individual development perceiving students as active inquirers and participants in their own growth. Housed at Davis Hall on Stetson’s main campus in DeLand, Fla., the Department of Education also offers courses at Stetson’s Center at Celebration.
About Stetson University
Founded in 1883, Stetson University is the oldest private university in Central Florida, providing a transforming education in the liberal arts tradition. Stetson stresses academic excellence and community-engaged learning, and consistently earns high marks in national rankings. Stetson encourages its students to go beyond success to significance in their lives, the lives of others and their communities. For more news from Stetson University, visit Stetson Today.
Janie Graziani, Stetson University, http://stetson.edu, +1 (386) 822-7214, [email protected]
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