University Park, IL-(ENEWSPF)- Governors State University’s teacher education program has received the highest possible grade from the National Council for Accreditation of Teaching Education (NCATE).
Following the visit by a team of leaders in national teaching education earlier this year, NCATE recently affirmed the accreditation of GSU’s College of Education (COE). NCATE found that COE met its standards for both initial and advanced teacher preparation in six critical areas: knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions; assessment system and unite evaluation, field experiences and clinical practices; diversity; faculty qualifications, performance, and development; and unit governance and resources. NCATE’s evaluation found no areas for needed improvements in GSU’s teaching education programs.
“Achieving NCATE’s reaccreditation affirms the quality work that our faculty, students, staff and community partners are engaged in on a daily basis,” said Dr. Deborah Bordelon, COE Dean. “At Governors State, we are strongly committed to preparing high quality educators, counselors, and administrators who are actively engaged in their school communities and who will have a positive impact on student achievement.”
NCATE’s accreditation is in effect through 2018, when the agency’s next visit is scheduled. During the three-day March accreditation visit, a team of experienced teacher educators from around the country analyzed every aspect of the college’s programs.
In announcing GSU’s reaccreditation, NCATE President James G. Cibulka stated COE and its programs meet the rigorous standards established by the professional education community. “Special congratulations are in order because the Unit Accreditation Board has cited no areas for improvement relative to any of the standards,” he said.
To meet its accreditation goals, COE worked closely with the entire university and numerous community partners in the preparation process, Dr. Bordelon said. She thanked Dr. Colleen Sexton, Chair of COE’s Division of Education, who served as NCATE coordinator. “Her role was instrumental in telling our story and making our NCATE reaccreditation visit a resounding success,” Dr. Bordelon said.
Since 2007, more than 1,000 graduates of GSU educator preparation programs have gone to serve school districts as teachers, administrators, speech pathologists, and counselors in Chicago, Cook County, Will County, and surrounding areas. More than 4,500 GSU alumni are teaching or have taught in Illinois since the university was founded in 1969.
