What it means to students is that the program meets the highest standards for education set by NCATE.

• The BSC teachers program was first accredited by NCATE in 1954 for baccalaureate programs in general elementary education, home economics, industrial arts, art education, education of the handicapped, and graduate level elementary education.

• In 1962 the program received accreditation for secondary education (mathematics and science), K-12 art education, and exceptional education. Master's degree programs were accredited for elementary education, exceptional education, art education, home economics and industrial arts.

• In 1972 the accreditation grew to include both baccalaureate and master level programs for elementary teachers, secondary teachers (English, French, Spanish, mathematics, social studies, biology, chemistry, earth science, physics and vocational technical education, K-12 art education, industrial arts, home economics and various special education programs.

For more information about accreditation history:
bscintra.buffalostate.edu/ncate/history.html

Although education majors may know their program is accredited, not many in random interviews know anything about NCATE and the lengths to which BSC faculty must go to achieve this standard of accreditation.

Sophomore Roscoe Hill of the social studies education program said, “That's why I'm here, because I know that BSC will get the job done.”

Dr. Linda K. Gleckel, special assistant to the dean and teacher education programs accreditation coordinator, said: “The major area that NCATE looks at is performance based assessment. They want to see actual work. Therefore there must be a rubric to grade student's work.”

Facts about the BSC teachers program:

•  BSC was the first institution in New York state to receive NCATE accreditation.

•  It was the first SUNY school in the state to be accredited by NCATE.

•  Currently, it is one of three SUNY institutions and one of only eight state institutions to receive NCATE accreditation.

For more information: bscintra.buffalostate.edu/ncate

Here are some facts about NCATE:

• NCATE is a non-profit, non-governmental organization, founded in 1954.
• Its dual mission is accountability and improvement in teacher preparation.
• Its council is comprised of over 30 national associations of professionals in education.
• NCATE is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a professional accrediting body for colleges and universities.

Not only does NCATE require samples of faculty lesson plans and students' work, but also samples from the children the students have taught during their student teaching. Each program being accredited must provide these samples, as well as submit to a full review.

Gleckel stressed the importance of faculty collaboration in evaluating the programs. It led to the creation of the Teacher Education Council (TEC), which provides faculty in the program with a forum to discuss issues of importance.

Gleckel stated that although the process of preparing for it was a tremendous undertaking “one result of this last NCATE review is that our teacher education programs are stronger than ever!”

For the teacher education homepage: www.buffalostate.edu/academics/
fase/teacher%20ed%20page/

If you have any questions or comments regarding this story, please contact me at:
pizans94@buffalostate.edu