WASHINGTON – The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) announced today that [Local Program] is one of 39 providers from 16 states and Puerto Rico to receive accreditation for their educator preparation programs. The Fall 2021 review by the CAEP Accreditation Council resulted in 39 newly-accredited EPPs, bringing the total to 462 providers approved under the CAEP Accreditation Standards – rigorous, nationally recognized standards that were developed to ensure excellence in educator preparation programs. 

“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 Dr. Christopher A. Koch. “Seeking CAEP Accreditation is a significant commitment on the part of an educator preparation provider.”

The CAEP Board of Directors updated the educator preparation standards in 2020 as part of its commitment to reviewing the standards at least every seven years. The changes to the CAEP standards reflect the Board’s commitment to equity and diversity and also place an emphasis on the importance of technology in preparing future educators.

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 was created by the consolidation of the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and the Teacher Education Accreditation Council. It is a unified accreditation system intent on raising the performance of all institutions focused on educator preparation. Approximately, 700 educator preparation providers participate in the CAEP Accreditation system, including some previously accredited through former standards.

Educator preparation providers seeking accreditation must pass peer review of the CAEP standards, which are based on two principles:

1. Solid evidence that the provider’s graduates are competent and caring educators, and
2. Solid evidence that the provider’s educator staff have the capacity to create a culture of evidence and use it to maintain and enhance the quality of the professional programs they offer.

If a program fails to meet one of the standards, it is placed on probation for two years. Probation may be lifted in two years if a program provides evidence that it meets the standard. 

[Insert local facts, data, description of the program or other accomplishments]

[Insert local quote] “Our students and instructors should be very proud of the work they are doing. We’ve set a very high bar for our teacher prep program and CAEP Accreditation validates the hard work we are doing,” said [Local Program Administrator]. “Our students and their

families are investing in an education program that is designated as nationally accredited for teacher preparation.”

[Local Program] joins 38 other providers to receive accreditation this spring, bringing the total number to 462 CAEP-accredited providers from 45 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

Class of Fall 2021: