The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation announced that Clarion University
is one of 60 providers from 26 states to receive accreditation for its educator preparation
programs.
The spring 2021 review by the CAEP Accreditation Council resulted in 60 newly-accredited EPPs, bringing the total to 423 providers approved under the CAEP Accreditation Standards – rigorous, nationally recognized standards that were developed to ensure excellence in educator preparation programs. Only eight (8) universities in Pennsylvania, including five (5) PASSHE institutions, are currently CAEP accredited by virtue of a full review.
“Our students and faculty should be very proud of the work they are doing. We’ve set a very high bar for our teacher prep program and CAEP Accreditation validates the hard work we are doing,” said Dr. Gwyneth Price, dean of the College of Education, Health and Human Services. “Our students and their families are investing in an education program that is designated as nationally accredited for teacher preparation. Clarion passed the review on all standards with flying colors, and I am thankful for the dedicated team within the College who never lose focus of our need for continuous improvement and made the site visit an overwhelming success.”
The CAEP Board of Directors updated the educator preparation standards in 2020 as part of its commitment to reviewing the standards at least every seven years. The changes to the CAEP standards reflect the Board’s commitment to equity and diversity and place an emphasis on the importance of technology in preparing future educators.
“These institutions meet high standards so that their students receive an education that prepares them to succeed in a diverse range of classrooms after they graduate,” said CAEP President Dr. Christopher A. Koch. “Seeking CAEP Accreditation is a significant commitment on the part of an educator preparation provider.”
CAEP is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Accreditation is a nongovernmental activity based on peer review that serves the dual functions of assuring quality and promoting improvement. CAEP was created by the consolidation of the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and the Teacher Education Accreditation Council. It is a unified accreditation system intent on raising the performance of all institutions focused on educator preparation.
Approximately, 700 educator preparation providers participate in the CAEP Accreditation system, including some previously accredited through former standards. Educator preparation providers seeking accreditation must pass peer review of the CAEP standards, which are based on two principles:
1. Solid evidence that the provider’s graduates are competent and caring educators.
2. Solid evidence that the provider’s educator staff have the capacity to create a culture of evidence and use it to maintain and enhance the quality of the professional programs they offer.
The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation advances excellence in educator preparation through evidence-based accreditation that assures quality and supports continuous improvement to strengthen P-12 student learning.