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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, September 27, 2007
CONTACT Aubrey Streit, (785) 227-3311, ext. 8274
ACCREDITATION REVIEW REAFFIRMS BETHANY TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM
LINDSBORG, KAN.—The strength of Bethany College’s teacher education program was reaffirmed during a recent accreditation site visit to the school.
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) Accreditation Team judged that Bethany’s teacher education program met all standards. Final decisions for continuing accreditation from KSDE and NCATE will be affirmed in spring 2008.
“I am delighted to congratulate the education department’s faculty and staff. Their dedicated work serves students, the college and – through alumni teachers – the world,” said Bethany President Edward F. Leonard III. “The valuable support received from students, faculty and staff across campus contributed to this successful accreditation review, the result of our ability to pursue our mission as One Body, One Bethany.”
Nearly one third of Bethany students graduate in an education-related area, and 43% of Bethany faculty are teacher education content coordinators, who help in the governance of the department.
The teacher education program at Bethany College has been accredited by NCATE for more than 50 years. Teacher education units must also be accredited by KSDE.
“Our program’s long history of accreditation has helped build its reputation. Along with devoted faculty and a hands-on curriculum, this helps us attract and educate exceptional teachers. Bethany’s teacher education graduates continue to be highly sought by schools,” said Eric Hyler, current chair of the Bethany College Department of Education.
NCATE is the national accrediting body authorized by the U.S. Department of Education to determine which colleges, universities and departments of education meet rigorous national standards in preparing teachers and other school specialists for the classroom.
The KSDE/NCATE Accreditation Team was on campus from Sept. 22 through Sept. 26. During that time, team members examined evidence files and interviewed faculty, students, teachers and the education advisory council to assess the program’s practices.
Bethany was evaluated according to six standards: candidate knowledge, skills, and dispositions; assessment system and unit evaluation; field experiences and clinical practice; diversity; faculty qualifications, performance, and development; and unit governance and resources. The six standards are the same for KSDE and NCATE.
On-site evaluations normally take place every seven years. In its 2005 evaluation, Bethany's education program was granted accreditation with probation. The Bethany College Department of Education prepared for two years to show additional improvements during this year’s visit and re-evaluation, in which it earned recommendation for continued accreditation.
Bethany College, established by Swedish Lutheran immigrants in 1881, is a college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The mission of Bethany College is to nurture and challenge individuals in their search for truth and meaning as they live lives of faith, learning and service. Bethany College is on the Web at www.bethanylb.edu.
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