McKay School of Education > News > McKay School Receives TEAC Accreditation
McKay School Educator Preparation Program Receives TEAC Accreditation
The Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC) officially announced on September 15, 2009 that the Educator Preparation Program submitted by Brigham Young University has been granted accreditation with no stipulations or weaknesses. According to the announcement, the accredited status is effective from September 11, 2009 through September 11, 2014. TEAC (http://www.teac.org/) provides accreditation for undergraduate programs, and is dedicated to helping educator preparation programs improve and be accountable for their quality.
Nancy Wentworth, associate dean of the McKay School of Education, organized and led the TEAC accreditation process, though many members of the faculty made significant contributions. “It is important for BYU to have accredited programs because this is critical for our students as they move into their professions,” Wentworth stated. She explained that the TEAC process not only supports the McKay School and the BYU Educator Preparation Program in their work to graduate strong teachers, but helps examine the program and how they prepare future education professionals.
The preparation for accreditation began with the McKay School writing a report describing its programs and learning outcomes. The TEAC board responded by asking questions and giving feedback. The McKay School sent a revision, and the board declared the brief to be auditable.
Later in the process, two TEAC members and two Utah officials, one from the Utah State Office of Education and one local district representative, were invited for an onsite visit, lasting three days. Their time was spent interviewing students, faculty, and administrators, including President Samuelson and Academic Vice President Tanner. They also reviewed data, instruments, annual reports, and faculty meeting minutes. The visitors then prepared their report. “One of the nice things about the TEAC process is that they allow us to respond to their report to ensure that it is correct,” Wentworth added.
The McKay School was put on the TEAC panel’s agenda, and Wentworth represented the McKay School at the TEAC panel meeting. At the meeting they reviewed findings of the TEAC brief and the visiting team’s report. After completing a motion, the members of the panel asked questions to which Wentworth responded. “It was an excellent opportunity to explain our program in more detail,” she said. After the questioning, a vote was taken in which the five panel members unanimously voted in favor of the McKay School being accredited.
Already accredited through the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) (http://www.ncate.org/), the McKay School’s newest accreditation indicates its commitment to train competent and qualified teachers. With its graduate and undergraduate programs accredited, the McKay School continues in advancing teacher education.
21 September 2009