October 12, 2016

The U.S. Department of Education released the final Title II Teacher Preparation/TEACH Grant regulations this morning, revealing a focus on both outcomes and some program-level inputs. 

The final rules also require all programs, including traditional, alternative certification, and distance education educator preparation providers (EPPs), to report each program instead of a single institutional report.

The final rules preserve the principle of establishing a feedback loop of outcome data between EPPs, school districts, and states for continuous improvement in educator preparation. Changes in the new rules are well-aligned to the requirements of CAEP accreditation. 

“The data feedback loop will deepen interaction between states and EPPs. These new regulations provide another opportunity for those who prepare – and those who employ – teachers to work together to ensure quality,” said CAEP President, Christopher Koch. “EPPs in the CAEP accreditation process – already in the practice of routinely reflecting on data to improve their programs – will find these new requirements familiar.”

CAEP is well situated to support EPPs and states in meeting these new rules, and staff will be scrutinizing these new regulations to pursue any efficiencies with data collection and reporting so as to reduce the burden of multiple reports from EPPs over time. Questions can be sent to: accreditation@caepnet.org 

CAEP is currently seeking U.S. Department of Education recognition. 

In 2013, CAEP became the single national accreditor for educator preparation and adopted a new generation of educator preparation standards that moved beyond inputs. 

The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEPnet.org) advances excellence in educator preparation through evidence-based accreditation that assures quality and supports continuous improvement to strengthen P-12 student learning.