School of Education earns TEAC accreditation

The accreditation is the culmination of a two-year process that included a detailed audit of the University’s teacher preparation programs. Accredited schools must provide significant evidence of three quality principles and standards for teacher education programs: candidate learning, faculty learning and inquiry, and institutional commitment and capacity for program quality.

“This accomplishment represents the combined work of many individuals on the UM-Dearborn campus, and it recognizes the University’s commitment to excellence in preparing education professionals,” said Edward Silver, dean of the School of Education.

Associate professors Paul Fossum and Susan Everett provided leadership for the TEAC accreditation process in the  School of Education.

Founded in 1997, TEAC is a nonprofit organization that seeks to improve teacher preparation programs. According to its Website, TEAC’s goal is to support the preparation of competent, caring and qualified professional educators.

The certification comes as universities across the state are being asked to prove the effectiveness of their programs. All approved Michigan teacher preparation institutions are required to attain national accreditation through TEAC or the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) by December 31, 2013.

“With the close scrutiny being given to teacher preparation programs in the country amidst deep skepticism about the quality of these programs, the accreditation by TEAC after a rigorous review and close examination of all aspects of our work is especially gratifying,” Silver said.