Auburn University's College of Education has proven its commitment to producing quality teachers for our nation's children by achieving continuing accreditation under the performance-oriented standards of the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), the organization responsible for professional accreditation of teacher education.

The College of Education has been continuously accredited by NCATE since 1959. NCATE currently accredits 623 institutions, which produce two-thirds of the nation's new teacher graduates each year. Ninety-nine institutions are candidates or pre-candidates for accreditation.

Studies show that teacher quality is the most important factor in preschool through 12th-grade student achievement. Professional accreditation is one way to ensure the public that schools of education are graduating well-qualified teachers ready for today's classrooms.  NCATE-accredited schools must meet rigorous standards set by the profession and members of the public.

Teacher candidates in NCATE-accredited schools of education must have in-depth knowledge of the subject matter that they plan to teach, as well as the skills necessary to convey it so that students learn. The institution must have partnerships with P-12 schools that enable candidates to develop the skills necessary to help students learn. Candidates must be prepared to understand and work with diverse student populations. College and university faculty must model effective teaching practices. And the school, college or department of education must have the resources—including information technology resources—necessary to prepare candidates to meet new standards.

In April 2007, members of an NCATE accreditation team conducted an on-site visit that included document review, cl.assroom observations, and interviews with students, faculty, staff, administrators, and alumni as well as campus, civic, and school partners. The accreditation team was jointly composed of teacher educators, administrators, and P-12 school faculty from across the country as well as state members responsible for individual program approvals.

"The announcement of our NCATE continuing accreditation reaffirms the excellence of our teacher education programs, the expertise and dedication of our faculty and staff, and the high quality of our campus and school partnerships," said Dean Frances K. Kochan.

Established in 1915, the College of Education defines its mission as building a better future for all by preparing competent, committed and reflective professionals.

For more information about Auburn University's teacher education programs, visit education.auburn.edu. More information about NCATE is available at www.ncate.org.