Program Accreditation
TEAC ACCREDITATION
The Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC)
It is important that programs leading to degrees and teacher licensure in grades PK-12 meet state and national standards of quality in academic learning and performance. To meet this goal, all teacher licensure programs in the state of Ohio must be approved by the Ohio Board of Regents and one of two national accrediting organizations: the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) or the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC). Case Western Reserve University has chosen TEAC to accredit its licensing programs in art and music. TEAC’s primary role is to accredit undergraduate and graduate professional education programs in order to assure the public about the quality of the teacher licensing programs at CWRU.
The TEAC Standards
TEAC has three Quality Principles that guide each institution in seeking national accreditation.
Quality Principles
Quality Principle I: Evidence of student learning
Programs must provide sufficient evidence that candidates have learned and understood the teacher education curriculum. Each component and cross-cutting theme of QP I must contribute to the overall goal of producing competent, caring and qualified teachers.
• Subject matter learning
• Pedagogical knowledge
• Caring and teaching skill
Cross-cutting liberal arts education themes:
• Learning how to learn
• Multicultural perspectives
• Technology
Quality Principle II: Valid assessment of student learning
The program must employ multiple measures and assessment methods that converge on a dependable finding about the candidates’ accomplishments with regard to QP I.
Quality Principle III: Institutional learning
There must be a system of inquiry, review and quality control in place through which the faculty secures evidence and informed opinion needed to improve program quality.
The Teacher Licensure Program at Case Western Reserve University makes four claims that are aligned with TEAC Quality Principle I and provides evidence of the success of the program in meeting these claims:
1. CWRU program completers understand the subject matter they intend to teach.
2. CWRU program completers understand pedagogy and child development, can successfully convert subject matter knowledge into effective lessons, and utilize appropriate formal and informal assessments.
3. CWRU program completers are caring and competent educators who are proactive in their professional responsibilities.
4. CWRU program completers are reflective practitioners who engage in opportunities to grow professionally and foster relationships with school colleagues, parents, and agencies in the larger community.
CURRENT STATUS
Currently, Case Western Reserve University is a Candidate Member in good standing of the Teacher Education Accreditation Council. CWRU has completed the next steps in achieving TEAC accreditation, including a site visit by the TEAC Accreditation Team conducted October 11-14, 2009.