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ASU Earns NCATE Accreditation

May 04, 2011

Angelo State University has received accreditation from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) for the university’s professional education offerings through the College of Education and other academic departments.

Accreditation was approved by NCATE’s Unit Accreditation Board for the next 18 months for both ASU’s initial teacher preparation and advanced preparation levels. Under provisions of the accreditation, the Unit Accreditation Board will revisit the campus in the fall of 2012 for an additional assessment at which time the accreditation can be continued or revoked.

ASU President Joseph C. Rallo said, “Acquiring NCATE accreditation is one of the many steps we have taken as an institution to strengthen our academic rigor and reputation. Our success in being accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education speaks to the quality of our College of Education and our faculty in teacher preparation.”

In addition to NCATE, ASU’s education programs are currently accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and by the State Board for Educator Certification/Texas Education Agency. NCATE, according to Dr. John J. Miazga, dean of the ASU’s College of Education, is the national accreditation for teacher education.

“NCATE accreditation means we will be aligning with a national set of standards for teacher preparation,” Miazga said. “These standards are designed to achieve excellence in teacher preparation across disciplines so that the institution will be accredited, not just the college or department.”

“Achieving NCATE accreditation for the university,” said Miazga, “means our graduates will meet a standard of excellence in teacher preparation that is recognized throughout the country.”

Supporting ASU’s NCATE accreditation application, Miazga said, was Department of Teacher Education recognition by two national organizations for teacher preparation programs. The Association for Childhood Education International has recognized the department’s early childhood to sixth grade preparation program. Additionally, the Council for Exceptional Children has honored the department’s special education preparation program.

Candidates for NCATE accreditation are assessed on six educational standards and multiple sub-standards. Those standards are: 1). candidate knowledge, skills and professional dispositions; 2) assessment system and unit evaluation; 3) field experiences and clinical practice; 4) diversity; 5) faculty qualifications, performance and development; and 6) unit governance and resources.

While there are some 70 education programs in the state of Texas, only 12 other universities currently hold NCATE accreditation.

“Accreditation from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education,” Miazga said, “will enhance the value of an ASU degree and the marketability of our graduates who enter the teaching profession.”