WWU Teacher Education Program receives continuing national, state accreditation

Western Washington University’s Woodring College of Education has received continuing full accreditation, through spring 2019, from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.

In conjunction with NCATE accreditation, Woodring College of Education programs received full approval from the Washington State Professional Educator.

“We are very proud of the accomplishment of meeting the high standards set by both the state and the NCATE for educational professional preparation,” said Francisco Rios, dean of Woodring College of Education. “It is testament to our continuing commitment to excellence as well as to advancing P-12 student achievement.”

The accreditation resulted from a rigorous review of samples of what professional education students learned as well as a review of their performance in schools and classrooms. It included an on-campus visit by 14 professionally trained reviewers from both the state and the NCATE who reviewed student learning samples and conducted interviews with students, cooperating teachers, and principals who work with those students.

“This achievement belongs to the entire university community, as well as our partners in schools and communities, who share the responsibility for ensuring that high quality education professionals serve in our schools,” Rios said. “It is tangible evidence of the quality programs we have a reputation for providing.”

NCATE is a national accrediting body for schools, colleges and departments of education authorized by the U.S. Department of Education. NCATE determines which colleges of education meet rigorous national standards in preparing teachers and other school specialists for the classroom.

NCATE accreditation is the process by which a professional education unit is recognized by the profession as meeting national standards for the content and operation of the unit. Accreditation is a process for assessing and enhancing academic and educational quality through voluntary peer review. Accreditation informs the public that the accredited college or university operates at a high level of educational quality and integrity.

For more information, please visit the NCATE website at www.ncate.org.