WVU Parkersburg Education program achieves continuing national accreditation.

CONTACT:  Dr. Cindy Kelley, chair of Education Division, 304-424-8345.
 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

West Virginia University at Parkersburg's Education Division has proven its commitment to producing quality teachers by achieving renewed accreditation by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

College officials have received notification that the Education program had been granted continuing national accreditation for the maximum seven-year period.  An NCATE visitation team was on campus for several days in late 2004 conducting a continuing accreditation review of the college's Elementary Education baccalaureate program. 

"It is gratifying to receive affirmation from an outside accrediting agency," said Marie Foster Gnage, president of WVU Parkersburg.  "This reflects the exemplary work our education faculty do in preparing our students to be outstanding teachers.”

NCATE’s accreditation standards emphasize teacher performance. The standards focus on what teacher candidates should know and be able to do, and require candidates to demonstrate specific skills.

The standards also require schools of education to design a conceptual framework for each program. WVU Parkersburg’s conceptual framework is titled, “Architects of the Future.”  The framework defines the knowledge, skills, and dispositions which faculty consider essential for effective teaching of all children. The six abilities or outcomes which comprise the conceptual framework are planning, teaching skills, interpersonal skills, decision-making skills, professional commitment, and diversity. These six pillars support the overarching concept of Architects of the Future.

“NCATE recognition tells prospective students interested in teaching careers that the preparation they receive at WVU Parkersburg is comparable to that of quality programs anywhere in the country," noted Cindy Kelley, chair of the college's Education Division.  "It also assures school principals of the quality of our graduates."

WVU Parkersburg's Department of Education specializes in offering degree programs for students who desire to become teachers at the elementary level.  Elementary education majors can obtain endorsements for teaching kindergarten or middle school. WVU Parkersburg's Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education was originally accredited by NCATE in 1998 on its first application.

NCATE-accredited schools must meet rigorous standards set by the profession and members of the public. Teacher candidates 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 carefully assess this knowledge and skill to determine that candidates may graduate. 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.  In addition, the school, college, or department of education must have the resources, including information technology resources, necessary to prepare candidates to meet new standards.

The U. S. Department of Education recognizes NCATE as a specialized accrediting body for schools, colleges, and departments of education. NCATE is composed of more than 30 professional and policymaker organizations representing millions of Americans committed to quality teaching.

For additional information, contact:
Connie Dziagwa
WVU Parkersburg
Executive Director
Communications/Public Relations
(304-424-8203)

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