This positive recognition is critical for the upcoming NCATE site visit to Walden University, and it sends a clear message to the visiting team about the quality of the university’s programs.
April 2011—As part of the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) process, Walden University’s Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership was required to submit program reports to the Specialized Professional Associations (SPA) for national review. All five of the reports submitted to NCATE have been nationally recognized.
This positive outcome speaks to the fact that The Richard C. Riley College of Education and Leadership’s programs, including major assessments and scoring rubrics, are extremely strong. The programs that now have national recognition are:
- Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Special Education, Learning Disabilities (K–12)
- Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Special Education, Emotional/Behavioral Disorders (K–12)
- Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Early Childhood Education (Birth-Grade 3)
- Endorsement: Special Education, Learning Disabilities (K–12)
- Endorsement: Special Education, Emotional/Behavioral Disorders (K–12)
The Specialized Professional Associations are national organizations that represent teachers, professional education faculty, and other school professionals who teach specific subject matter (e.g., mathematics or social studies), teach students at a specific developmental level (e.g., early childhood, elementary, middle level, or secondary), teach students with specific needs (e.g., bilingual education or special education), administer schools (e.g., principals or superintendents), or provide services to students (e.g., school counselors or school psychologists). The purpose of the SPA reports is to provide a comprehensive overview of each program and its components, including major assessments and scoring rubrics.
In addition to the programs above, the Education Specialist (EdS) in Teacher Leadership program was reviewed by the Educational Leadership Constituent Council (ELCC) SPA via a report submitted March 15.
The next major milestone in the NCATE process is the submission of the final institutional report this month.