West Chester University Among 55 Top Educator Preparation Providers Recognized for National Excellence
The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) recently announced
the accreditation of West Chester University (WCU) and 54 additional providers. As
of fall 2022, a total of 507 CAEP-accredited providers have been named from 44 states,
the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates. West
Chester University is now one of 507 total providers meeting rigorous CAEP Accreditation
Standards to better prepare the teachers of tomorrow.
“These institutions meet high standards so that their students receive an education that prepares them to succeed in a diverse range of classrooms after they graduate,” said CAEP President Christopher A. Koch. “Seeking CAEP Accreditation is a significant commitment on the part of an educator preparation provider.”
Since 1954, as a charter member, WCU has been continuously accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). In 2013, NCATE joined with the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC) to form CAEP as an accreditation body for educator preparation programs. WCU maintained its accreditation with NCATE and in 2022 sought and earned CAEP accreditation for the first time.
“Our recent CAEP accreditation demonstrates the continued stellar work of our faculty, staff, students, and community stakeholders. CAEP examines every aspect of our programs…from theory to practice…from process and procedure systems to stakeholder involvement (students and school districts),” said College of Education and Social Work Dean Desha L. Williams. “The team effort shown was outstanding and it paid off. We were awarded accreditation without any areas for improvement nor stipulations. I want to note how rare this is!”
CAEP is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Accreditation is a nongovernmental activity based on peer review that serves the dual functions of assuring quality and promoting improvement. CAEP advances excellence in educator preparation through evidence-based accreditation that assures quality and supports continuous improvement to strengthen P-12 student learning.
To learn more about WCU’s College of Education and Social Work and its academic programs, visit www.wcupa.edu/education-socialWork.
For more information about CAEP and to view accredited institutions, visit www.caepnet.org.