Trio of SRU education programs earn national recognition

August 17, 2016

   DILS

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - Three Slippery Rock University education programs have received national recognition from their respective specialty area professional associations. The undergraduate program in health education and graduate programs in secondary education/social studies and reading education were cited for high quality.

"The recognition means the programs meet national standards for curriculum and student outcomes," said Keith Dils, dean of the College of Education. He said the peer-review evaluation examined student performance on certification exams, teaching skills and success at improving student learning.

The American Association of Health Education awarded recognition to the health education program; the National Council of Social Studies recognized the social studies program; and the International Reading Association cited the graduate reading program.

"We know internally, through our checks and balances, that we have a high quality education program," Dils said. "But when you have national organizations looking at what we do, and providing that verification and validation, it is a shot in the arm to give everyone that boost to move forward into this semester with a lot of excitement and confidence."

SPA's provide peer-review of programs seeking accreditation by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. Each education discipline has its own SPA.

"What the SPA's do is say, 'We have national standards for each of your different programs that lead to certification and we want to see that your curriculum and student outcomes align with those standards,'" said Dils.

Dils said the peer review rubric included an examination of SRU students' performance on the Praxis tests and student teaching. A Praxis test is one of a series of teacher certification exams written and administered by the Educational Testing Service. Various Praxis tests are required before, during and after students have completed coursework.

MEDIA CONTACT: Gordon Ovenshine | 724.738.4854 | gordon.ovenshine@sru.edu