Prairie View A & M Gains Accreditation Nod from NCATE

Tuesday, November 03, 2009

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas--Prairie View A&M University’s Whitlowe R. Green College of Education, known for its reputation for producing top leaders in education, has gained reaccreditation from The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)-- the leading accrediting agency and authority for education professionals in the U.S. The university’s NCATE accreditation includes both its undergraduate and graduate education programs.

“We are extremely honored and humbled to have NCATE acknowledge our program and rank us among other exemplary American colleges, schools and departments of education.  It is truly a testament to the hard work of our administration, faculty, staff, students and alumni.  Our NCATE accreditation stands on the shoulders of those who preceded us and we will continue our legacy of excellence in providing academic programs for educators,” said Lucian Yates, III, dean of the Whitlowe R. Green College of Education.

Yates, who oversaw PVAMU’s process for NCATE accreditation also states, “We’re beginning to develop a deeper dialogue with community colleges, high schools and school districts to develop the next generation of teachers and leaders for Texas and communities across America. This is only the beginning.”

Prairie View A&M is one of more than 600 colleges to earn accreditation in the U.S. from NCATE and was among the first group of institutions accredited by NCATE in 1954 when the Council was first established. Starting in 2006, a team of trained members of NCATE’s Board of Examiners made visits to Prairie View for an accreditation reviews and on-site visits which included a review data; a visit to university classrooms and neighboring schools to observe students carry out field experiences and practica; and interviews with PVAMU administrators, faculty, staff and students.

The new NCATE accreditation process establishes rigorous standards for teacher education programs and focuses on two major areas: candidate performance and unit capacity. Receiving NCATE accreditation confirms that PVAMU has met the strict code of standards set by a national system of accountability for programs for educators.

Yates explains that PVAMU’s NCATE accreditation was the result of a six-month of preparation period-- including developing PVAMU standards for the preparation of teachers and other school professionals; revising the curriculum to reflect and incorporate the standards; developing a systematic and comprehensive means to collect data analyzing student performance through the program; and using the data for accountability and program improvements.  

NCATE standards for performance include candidate knowledge, skills, and dispositions; assessment and evaluation; field experiences and clinical practice; diversity; faculty qualifications, performance and development; resources and governance.

Prairie View A&M University’s Whitlowe R. Green College of Education is named for PVAMU alumnus and educator Whitlowe R. Green, who in 2005 donated $2.1 million to Prairie View A&M — the school’s largest gift from a single donor.  Known for producing skilled teachers, principals and counselors, the College offers education programs at the undergraduate and graduate level, including doctoral programs and a teacher certification program.

About NCATE

NCATE is a coalition of 35 specialty professional organizations of teachers, teacher educators, content specialists, and local and state policy makers and is formally recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as the professional accrediting body for colleges and universities that prepare teachers and other professional personnel for work in elementary and secondary schools. 

About Prairie View A&M University

Prairie View A&M University was founded in 1876 and is the second-oldest public institution of higher education in Texas. With an established reputation for producing engineers, corporate leaders, nurses and educators, PVAMU offers baccalaureate degrees in 41 academic majors, 45 master’s degrees and four doctoral degree programs through eight colleges and schools.  The university recently named its College of Engineering for PVAMU alumnus Roy G. Perry and the University’s marching band, The Marching Storm, was featured as the lead band in the 2009 Rose Parade.  A member of The Texas A&M University System, the university is dedicated to fulfilling its land-grant mission of achieving excellence in teaching, research and service. During the university’s 132-year history, more than 51,500 academic degrees have been awarded.  For more information regarding PVAMU, visit www.pvamu.edu.