School of Education Accreditation

On May 14, 2020 the Council for the Accreditation for Educator Preparation (CAEP) notified the Ella Cline Shear School of Education that we are fully nationally accredited.

CAEP evaluates teacher preparation programs for their quality compared to national standards.  All SOE programs went through a rigorous process of internal review resulting in an extensive self-study document.  National professional organizations evaluated and recognized each SOE program.  For example, the National Council of the Social Studies (NCSS) evaluates our Adolescence Social Studies program; the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) evaluates the Early Childhood/Childhood program.

An external team of expert reviewers evaluated our self-study report and conducted a site visit in September 2019.  CAEP leadership then reviewed the site report while continuing to interact with and seek further information and clarification from SOE leaders.  The President of CAEP has notified President Denise Battles that the Unit Accrediting Board of CAEP has determined that the Ella Cline Shear School of Education is fully accredited for the next seven years.

The faculty, staff, students, alumni and other partners of the Ella Cline Shear School of Education worked together for more than four years in reaching this milestone.  It is an honor to be so recognized.