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12/3/2002
Contact: K.E. Schwab -- 724-738-2199; e-mail:
karl.schwab@sru.edu
SLIPPERY ROCK UNIVERSITY LEADS THE WAY IN TEACHER EDUCATION
QUALITY
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - Slippery
Rock University put its mark on teacher education quality as it led
the way in a new national teacher education accreditation
process.
SRU's College of Education became
the first in Pennsylvania to earn a five-year accreditation under
newly established guidelines by the National Council for the
Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
"NCATE sets the standard of
excellence for teacher education and provides leadership for reform
in teacher preparation," says Dr. G. Warren Smith, president,
Slippery Rock University.
"One measure of quality in higher
education is accreditation by national review organizations, and
NCATE is the national body responsible for professional
accreditation of teacher education programs. I congratulate the
faculty of our College of Education for not only continuing our
record of NCATE accreditation, but also for being a pioneer under
the new guidelines," Smith added.
This accreditation is the latest
milestone in acknowledging solid quality at Slippery Rock. Last
year, the entire university received a highly laudatory
re-accreditation report from the Commission on Higher Education
Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Smith
explained.
Dr. C. Jay Hertzog, dean of the
college, added, "This accreditation is one way to ensure the public
that SRU is graduating well-qualified students ready to meet
today's teaching challenges. This is a very prestigious honor that
recognizes the excellence of our faculty, students, alumni and
partner schools."
SRU has held NCATE accreditation
since 1954 and is one of only 15 of the 92 teacher education
programs in Pennsylvania to have this mark of quality.
The
new guidelines stress assessment of pre-service teachers as they
move through the university's curriculum. The accrediting body's
review system fosters quality, competent classroom teachers and
other educators who work to improve the education of all students.
NCATE accredited institutions annually produce two-thirds of the
nation's new teacher graduates. Under its review program, teacher
candidates must have in-depth knowledge of the subject matter they
plan to teach as well as the skills necessary to convey it so
students learn. NCATE requires universities to have partnerships
with school districts that enable teacher candidates to develop
teaching skills, and requires teacher candidates to know how to use
technology to aid learning.
The dean explains the
accreditation process included a four-day, on-site visit by a
five-member evaluation team including teachers, school specialists
and teacher educators who interviewed university and public school
faculty, administrators and students. The process also required an
extensive pre-visit report. He urges those considering the teaching
profession to seek an NCATE-accredited institution when choosing
where they will study.
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PN, PGN, WPN, PR, S -
EDITOR'S NOTE: Dr. Hertzog is available for interviews
concerning the importance of NCATE accreditation. NCATE's Web
address is: www.NCATE.org
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