The Winona State University Professional Education Unit has received continuing accreditation at the advanced programs level from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). With this decision, all teacher preparation and school personnel programs at WSU are fully accredited by NCATE until the next continuing review in 2010.

NCATE is the professional accrediting organization for schools, colleges and departments of education in the United States. It is a coalition of more than 30 organizations representing teachers, teacher educators, policymakers and the public.

Accreditation is the process by which a professional education unit is recognized as meeting rigorous national standards for the content and operation of the unit. The process assesses and enhances academic and educational quality through voluntary peer review, and informs the public that the accredited college or university operates at a high level of educational quality and integrity.

NCATE accreditation, once granted, is continuous as long as the institution fulfills its responsibilities under NCATE’s continuing accreditation process. Continuing accreditation requires institutions to file annual reports and host an on-site Board of Examiners team every five years.

The U. S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation recognize NCATE as a professional accrediting body for teacher preparation.

NCATE currently accredits 632 colleges of education with nearly 100 more seeking NCATE accreditation.

According to WSU NCATE Coordinator Carol Long, “The stamp of NCATE approval tells the world, our stakeholders and our students that we provide quality instruction and experiences for our candidates, and we have the data to prove it.”

Winona State University currently offers 24 different licensure programs, including English, special education, music, art and elementary education. The assessment data generated through the accreditation process is used to improve and ensure the quality of existing programs and also to enhance the offerings of the professional education unit.

For more information, e-mail Carol Long at: CLong@winona.edu.