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University administrators and representatives from the College of Education and Human Sciences at Delta State University recently celebrated the college’s continuing accreditation through 2021. Pictured: (front, l to r) Provost Dr. Charles McAdams; Dr. Cheryl Cummins, director of Field Experiences; Dr. Corlis Snow, coordinator of Advanced Studies in Elementary Education; (back, l to r) Tom Brady, interim chair of the Division of Teacher Education, Leadership and Research; President William N. LaForge; and Dr. Leslie Griffin, dean of the COEHS.

The Delta State University College of Education and Human Sciences received continuing accreditation through 2021 during the May 2015 meeting of the Continuous Improvement Commission of the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

At the meeting, both initial and advanced programs met all standards set forth by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). Founded in 1954, NCATE is recognized by the U. S. Department of Education as a specialized accrediting body for schools, colleges and departments of education.

NCATE and the Teacher Education Accreditation Council have consolidated and are now transitioning into the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation CAEP.

CAEP’s official notification stated, “Special congratulations are in order because the Commission cited no areas for improvement relevant to any of the standards.”

Dr. Leslie Griffin, dean of the COEHS, cited the pivotal role that the unit faculty played in developing a comprehensive assessment system over the past eight years that ensures quality control for each of the educator and school professional preparation programs – from undergraduate through doctoral level.

“Dr. Katharine Rasch, unit assessment research director, and Dr. Cheryl Cummins, director of Field Experiences, served as co-coordinators for accreditation and did a stellar job of guiding faculty through the process,” said Griffin. “The late Dr. Joe Garrison, in his role as chair of Teacher Education, Leadership and Research, provided support for educator preparation programs and Dr. Corlis Snow, coordinator of Advanced Studies in Elementary Education, coordinated extensive electronic exhibits that told our story.”

“The University’s leadership has supported goals and practices in the college that strengthened the rigor and accountability of educator preparation programs at the institution, maintaining a steadfast commitment to program integrity and quality preparation for school personnel,” added Griffin. “This is in keeping with Delta State’s origins as a teacher preparation institution — and its tradition of excellence in this realm.”

For more information about programs in the College of Education at Human Sciences at Delta State, visit www.deltastate.edu/college-of-education/.