Indiana University East’s School of Education received accreditation for seven years through the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). The undergraduate program received continuing accreditation.

Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Larry Richards said, “Accreditation of our professional degree programs is a sign of the quality upon which we insist, and that quality translates into successful graduates and communities. Our teacher education graduates are second to none.”

IU East School of Education offers undergraduate degrees in Elementary Education with minors in Mild Intervention, Reading, and Math at both the Richmond and Lawrenceburg campuses. At the secondary level pre-service teachers can attain certification in English, Math, Science, and Social Studies. The School of Education also has a Transition to Teaching Program at both the elementary and secondary levels. IU East’s Master of Science in Education program received initial accreditation. To date, 45 teachers have attained their master’s degree in education from IU East.

Primary program strength and one that supports a major element of the new standards, is the School of Education’s long-standing collaboration with area schools.

“The expertise and cooperation of our area superintendents, principals, and teachers is vital to the success of our graduates and continuing program improvement. The partnerships make it possible for pre-service teachers to spend significant quality time in field experiences and in student teaching,” said Dean of the School of Education Marilyn Watkins.

The school’s NCATE coordinator, Jerry Wilde, echoes that partnership praise by stating, “The accreditation process was a campus wide endeavor.  Every unit was involved and supportive as we prepared for the site review and during the actual visit. Our NCATE site team noted the overwhelming support it received from everyone involved – at the college and in the community.”

NCATE’s standards ensure that from the time pre-service teachers are admitted to the program, candidates are engaged in a rigorous process to prepare them for a career in teaching. In NCATE’s standards-based accreditation system, institutions must provide evidence that teacher education candidates know and understand the subject matter they plan to teach and are able to teach effectively so that all students learn.

Luann Spicer, the School of Education assistant director for Field Experiences and a former Richmond School Corporation Principal, said she has had the privilege of working with IU East student teachers both as the principal at Test Middle School and in her position at IU East.

“In each situation I have found that IU East students have a strong background in both pedagogy and content. The rigor and high expectations set forth in the IU East education program clearly prepares the pre-service teachers to become successful educators,” Spicer said.

Founded in 1954, NCATE is recognized by the U. S. Department of Education as a specialized accrediting body for schools, colleges, and departments of education. NCATE and the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC) have consolidated and are now transitioning into the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

More information about the IU East School of Education can be found at https://www.iue.edu/education/.

More information about CAEP (formerly NCATE) can be found at http://caepnet.org/.