Nov. 16, 2001

Contact: Robert Lowery (509-963-1487/fax 509-963-2301/e-mail: loweryr@cwu.edu)

ELLENSBURG, Wash. - Fully accredited, no weaknesses. That is the finding of the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) in regard to a review of Central Washington University’s Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL). University officials received the NCATE report late yesterday (Thursday, Nov. 15).

“I am extraordinarily proud of the faculty and students in our professional education preparation programs,” Dr. Rebecca Bowers, dean of the CWU College of Education and Professional Studies, says. “A very, very small percentage of universities receive 100 percent on their evaluations. Usually, from two to six weaknesses are identified. We have come through this rigorous evaluation assessment process without blemish.”

That places the university’s teacher preparation programs among the nation’s elite. In January 2000, Central’s CTL received formal notice that its accreditation by NCATE, a national voluntary accrediting board, was confirmed, with probation, for two years.

Because of the probationary status, NCATE officials conducted a follow-up visit to Central last April, reviewing all aspects of the university’s teacher education programs, including the principal/administrator, school counseling and school psychology tracks, and the design and delivery of its professional education curriculum. In all, CWU was judged to have met 20 different NCATE standards “without weakness,” according to the new report.

The “initial accreditation” visit was a much more thorough evaluation of CTL than would typically happen during a routine accreditation check, Bowers notes. Even so, members of the NCATE team determined that CWU had more than met all areas noted for improvement in the 2000 report, including portfolio development in subject areas; student teacher supervision; a plan for attracting and retaining a diversity of students; and documentation of faculty scholarly activity and teaching loads.

“This action by the United Accreditation Board removes the probation status from Central Washington University and returns the institution to a regular five-year accreditation cycle,” Arthur E. Wise, NCATE president, noted in a letter to CWU President Jerilyn S. McIntyre.

In its new strategic plan, CWU has established a goal of strengthening its leadership position in the field of education. In this regard, the levels of enthusiasm and visible support from McIntyre and the university’s board of trustees have been extraordinary, Bowers adds.

The university’s CTL is also approved by the state Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges. NCATE’s next on-site evaluation at CWU won’t take place until 2006.