UVI School Of Education Awarded NCATE Accreditation

The University of the Virgin Islands School of Education has been awarded accreditation status from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), U.V.I. said on Friday. This accreditation decision indicates that the School of Education and its programs meet rigorous standards set forth by the professional education community, according to a prepared statement from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation on May 17.

Both the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation recognize NCATE as a professional accrediting body for teacher preparation.

“To have our graduate program in education obtain NCATE accreditation certainly builds on the accomplishment and strength of our undergraduate program,” said UVI President David Hall. “We applaud Dean Linda Thomas and the entire School of Education for this important milestone on the pathway to greatness.”

“The School of Education is proud of this accomplishment,” said Dr. Linda Thomas, dean of the School of Education. The first accreditation visit was in fall 2014. The next accreditation visit for both advanced and initial programs is scheduled for fall 2020.  “NCATE’s performance-based accreditation system for teacher preparation ensures that teacher candidates are prepared to make a difference in P-12 student learning,” Thomas said.

According to NCATE, data from multiple assessments for field and clinical experiences in the advanced programs in Educational Leadership and Counselling indicate candidate effectiveness and the ability to impact preschool through grade 12 student learning in diverse settings.  In addition to providing data for the assessments during the team visit, interviews with internship faculty, P-12 school faculty, alumni, and candidates in these two advanced programs provided evidence of reflection and feedback as a strength for effective teaching and learning.

“The School of Education promotes standards of excellence in education and envisions producing reflective professionals who are active learners and leaders with competencies that enable student learning,” said Dr. Magdalene Tobias, associate professor of education, and Assistant Dean for Unit Accreditation.  “The accreditation process supports the School of Education’s ongoing efforts toward excellence in the preparation of competent and effective P-12 teachers and other school professionals, including school administrators and school counselors.”

Through the preparation of P-12 teachers, school administrators, and school counselors, the School of Education plays a pivotal role in enhancing education in the territory, and the wider Caribbean, said Dr. Tobias.

The School of Education’s undergraduate program was awarded accreditation in 2014 and this status will continue until 2020. The previous accreditation of the graduate program was from 2014 until 2016; the current accreditation will remain valid until 2020. The University is completely accredited by the Commission on Higher Education in the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools through 2017.  The Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation.

Feature Image: 2016 graduate Nalie Frederick (Credit: Ernice Gilbert, VIC).