Program Review Overview
All educator preparation providers (EPPs) seeking CAEP Accreditation undergo the program review process. Program reviews can provide valuable information about the progress of candidates’ preparation experiences as well as candidate knowledge and professional skills in a specific area of licensure, certification, and/or endorsement. They can also provide a head start for writing the accreditation self-study report (SSR). The process requires accumulating the evidence that can be used as a resource in building a case for Standard 1 - content and pedagogical knowledge - and candidates’ ability to apply it.
Program review requirements are specified by the state. The current list of state and CAEP agreements that detail these requirements is available here.
States may choose from the following three options:
- SPA Program Review with National Recognition | Individual K-12 licensure, certification, and/or endorsement programs at the EPP - such as in mathematics education, social studies education, early-childhood education, and more - will meet content-specific national standards developed by Specialized Professional Associations (SPAs).
- CAEP Evidence Review of Standard One (formerly known as CAEP Program Review with Feedback) | EPPs will build a case for CAEP Standard 1 and submit complete evidence for the standard as part of the self-study report. The evidence will address candidate proficiencies relevant to the learner and learning, specialty content and content pedagogy, instructional practice, and professional responsibilities. Data will be disaggregated data by licensure areas, degree levels, and modes of delivery. EPPs describe how they use the evidence for continuous improvement.
- State Program Review | EPPs will work with their state authority (typically a standards board, board of regents, or State Department of Education) to build programs that align with the state’s education priorities.
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CAEP Program Review Options
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SPA Program Review Policies and Procedures
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CAEP Evidence Review of Standard One
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State Program Review
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Format
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The program will submit evidence using SPA program report templates (or shells) for each content area and degree level. The evidence will describe a candidate's performance on a set of key assessments that demonstrate meeting the SPA's standards.
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The EPP will submit complete evidence for CAEP Standard 1 as part of the self-study report, which is due nine months prior to the site review. Site reviewers' input on the evidence will be communicated to EPPs through the Formative Feedback Report.
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State-defined process
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Standards
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Specialized Professional Association (SPA) Standards
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CAEP Standard 1
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Timing of Submission
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Mid-cycle of the overall accreditation cycle (3 years in advance of the accreditation visit for most states)
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Self-study report (nine months before site review) |
State-selected timing
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Review Team
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Review teams are trained and selected by the SPAs or CAEP.
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Site review team |
Review teams are chosen by the EPP's state.
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Results
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Recognition Report with a decision of “Nationally Recognized”, “Recognized”, or “Further Development Required/Recognized with Probation/Not Nationally Recognized”
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Through Formative Feedback on the self-study report |
State decision regarding program approval. The process and results vary by state, so make sure to ask your state contact. |
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Additional Information
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This is the only program review option that can lead to national recognition by CAEP/SPAs
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