The Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) has awarded 5-year initial accreditation to five teacher preparation programs at Stevenson University. The accreditation applies to Stevenson’s initial teacher preparation programs: Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, Bachelor of Science in Middle School Education, Master of Arts in Teaching in Early Childhood Education, and Master of Arts in Teaching in STEM.
The strengths-based program model prepares candidates to work effectively as professional educators who can adapt to different contexts and continue to grow professionally. Stevenson University maintains program quality through its commitment to evidence analysis to inform decision making and revisions to benefit candidates. It engages with stakeholders and partners to strengthen the P-20 education system. The Commission reviewed the provider’s plans for ongoing growth and improvement, based on the findings of the self-study, and affirms the intentions presented.
“Congratulations to Stevenson University and to all of the faculty, staff, and stakeholders who have achieved their goal of national accreditation by AAQEP,” said AAQEP President and CEO Mark LaCelle-Peterson. “Their educator preparation program is dedicated to the growth of each candidate and demonstrates a strong commitment to the use of data to inform programmatic decision-making.”
National accreditation assures the quality of professional preparation programs through a nongovernmental, nonregulatory process of self-study and peer review. This standards- and evidence-based process serves two broad aims: accountability and continuous improvement. The AAQEP model is also designed to honor local context and foster innovation and collaboration among institutions. AAQEP currently has members in 37 states and other jurisdictions with over 200 educator preparation providers participating in the accreditation system.
Founded in 2017, AAQEP is a membership association and quality assurance agency that provides accreditation services and formative support to all types of educator preparation providers. The organization promotes excellent, effective, and innovative educator preparation that is committed to evidence-based improvement in a collaborative professional environment. AAQEP is nationally recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Visit aaqep.org for more information.