CAEP Seeking Public Comment on Updated Standards
Board Maintains Commitment to Review, Improve Teacher Prep Standards on a Seven-Year Cycle
The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) is seeking input on proposed changes to the 2013 CAEP Standards for educator preparation. The CAEP Standards guide the nation’s top schools of education, those that are CAEP accredited, in preparing future K-12 teachers. CAEP is the only accreditor of educator preparation providers recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
“Our education preparation providers are committed to continuous improvement, and so are we. The 2013 CAEP Standards were developed to unify the profession under a single set of standards, with a commitment to ensure they remain rigorous. CAEP set the bar for programs that prepare future educators: They need to demonstrate their graduates are ready to teach on the first day they enter a classroom,” said CAEP President Christopher A. Koch. “Maintaining high quality standards, based on relevant research is costly and time-consuming. More than 30 states partner with us because we are able to tap volunteer experts in the field who committed to excellence and give their time and talents to ensure our standards are rigorous, relevant, and a model for successful teaching of our nation’s children and youth.”
The CAEP bylaws require a review of the CAEP Standards every seven years. The CAEP Research Committee was charged in 2018 with updating the research related to the CAEP Standards. The CAEP Board of Directors created a task force at its June 2020, Board meeting, which met over the summer reviewing data and reports from the CAEP Research Committee and the CAEP Equity and Diversity Committee. The task force also reviewed US Department of Education (USDOE) and CHEA guidelines, more than 300 CAEP accreditation decisions, as well as feedback from stakeholders. It was composed of 21 representatives from the field of education, including P-12, higher education, state education departments, and non-profit education organizations. The task force focused on reviewing the 2013 standards, specifically seeking to consolidate, clarify and streamline the standards.
“Over the past seven years we have accredited more than 300 educator preparation providers. CAEP accreditation is not a rubber stamp; we have had to revoke, deny, and put some institutions on probation,” said Karen Symms Gallagher, chair, CAEP Board of Directors. “The task force was able to look at the data we have along with the guidance of our experts on the Equity and Diversity and the Research committees. The current recommendations they have put forward will help CAEP providers better address current classroom conditions.”
In addition to being recognized by CHEA, CAEP is also seeking recognition by the USDOE. As part of that process, the Standards have been modified to include specific areas of focus required by the Department.
In most cases the Task Force is recommending the consolidation, clarification, and the removal of extraneous language without substantive changes. They are also recommending that specific standards for technology be added, given the increase in online learning. The task force is also recommending each provider be able to demonstrate progress toward recruiting and graduating a candidate pool that reflects the diversity of America’s P-12 students, as well as increased flexibility in documenting candidates academic knowledge and their impact on student learning and development.
CAEP is accepting public comments through November 2, 2020. To review the proposed changes and to provide comment, please visit the CAEP Public Comment page.
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 uniform accreditation system intent on raising the performance of all providers focused on educator preparation.
Tags: accreditation
