ASU and NCATE Celebrate 50 Years Together

Brown vs. Board of Education was not the only educational landmark event in the year 1954.  That year, fifty years ago, also saw the birth of the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).  Four institutions of higher education in Arkansas became charter members of NCATE in 1954.  The four universities are the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Arkansas State University, Henderson State University, and the University of Central Arkansas.  All four of these universities have maintained their accreditation since the year of 1954.

 Today, educators, state education policymakers and representatives of the public across the nation have come together to articulate, through NCATE, what they believe is important in teacher preparation.  The NCATE standards are the expression of that consensus.  NCATE accreditation continues to be a critical part of the continuum of preparation and development for teachers in your Arkansas.  This year is NCATE’s 50^th anniversary. 

 The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education is a non-profit, non-governmental alliance of 35 national professional education and public organizations representing millions of Americans who support quality teaching.

 NCATE currently accredits 575 colleges of education.  NCATE accreditation is a mark of distinction, and provides recognition that the ASU college of education has met national professional standards for the preparation of teachers and other educators.

 NCATE makes a difference in teacher preparation.  Prepared teachers make a difference in P-12 student learning.  Study after study indicates that student achievement increases when teachers are fully prepared and fully licensed.

 Graduates from an NCATE accredited teacher preparation program are in high demand because they are well prepared for initial licensing and advanced board certification.  Candidate performance at NCATE institutions is thoroughly assessed throughout the program of study and before the candidate is recommended for licensure.

FACTS

·        NCATE accredited schools produce over two-thirds of the nation’s new teacher graduates.

·        The public expects that colleges of education should be professionally accredited.  Eighty-two percent of the public favors requiring teachers to graduate from nationally accredited professional schools.

·        Fully prepared teachers are more effective in the classroom and their students demonstrate greater achievement gains than students whose teachers are not fully prepared.

·        First year teachers with no preparation leave at twice the rate of those who have been prepared at NCATE schools.