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Accreditation and Certification

The School of Education is accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).    

Reviews of each of the teacher education programs take place concurrently with NCATE accreditation. Each of the following Specialty Professional Associations reviews the teacher education programs at American University.

Elementary Education (1-6)    BA, Cert, MAT    Initial    ACEI   
ESOL (K-12)       Initial    TESOL   
Secondary English (7-12)    BA, Cert, MAT    Initial    NCTE   
Foreign Language (K-12 – French, Spanish)    BA, Cert, MAT    Initial    ACTFL   
Secondary Math (7-12)    BA, Cert, MAT    Initial    NCTM   
Secondary Science Programs (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) (7-12)     BA, Cert, MAT    Initial    NSTA   
Secondary Social Studies (7-12)    BA, Cert, MAT    Initial    NCSS   
Performing Arts (K-12)    BA, Cert, MAT    Initial    Not Applicable   
Special Education: Learning Disabilities (K-12)     BA, Cert, MAT    Initial    CEC   

American University offers Secondary Education programs leading to licensure in the following subject areas: biology, chemistry, dance, drama, English, French, German, Spanish, mathematics, physics, social studies.

Students admitted to graduate teacher education programs may be required to complete additional course work in order to be eligible for certification upon graduation. Students will be informed of additional requirements upon admission.

Students who complete approved teacher preparation programs and pass the appropriate national teacher examinations are eligible to apply for teacher certification (licensure) in the District of Columbia, and through such certification are eligible for reciprocal certification in over 40 states. Some states may require additional courses or national teacher examinations.

Ongoing Assessment of Academic and Professional Performance

To remain in the Teacher Education Program, students must

• maintain cumulative grade point averages specific to each program;
• receive satisfactory evaluations in field and methods placements;
• obtain a satisfactory annual evaluation from the Teacher Education Committee based upon academic, professional, and performance criteria established by the committee;
• successfully complete key assessments for each program;
• and meet specific course grade requirements.

Students in the B.A. in Elementary Education program must maintain an overall cumulative grade point average of 2.70 or higher. Students in the undergraduate second major in Secondary Education must maintain an overall grade point average of 2.70 and 3.00 or higher in their primary major. Graduate students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or higher.

Report of American University State Assessments, Requirements, and Standards for Teacher Certification and Licensure, and Performance of Teacher Preparation Programs

In compliance with Section 207 of the Higher Education Act, American University is providing information regarding state assessments, other requirements, standards for teacher certification and licensure, and performance of teacher preparation programs.

American University's teacher preparation programs are approved by the District of Columbia and nationally accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), the organization responsible for professional accreditation of teacher education.

There is a commitment to a strong general education foundation for students before their acceptance into the School of Education. Teacher preparation programs are organized around four interrelated principles (equity, community, diversity, and excellence) and are based on a conceptual framework that recognizes the importance of knowledge, beliefs, practice, and reflection.

Information about Supervised Student Teaching

In academic year, 2006-2007, 372 candidates were enrolled in teacher preparation programs; 71 of these students were in supervised student teaching programs.

The School has 16 full-time faculty, 12 of whom work in teacher education programs. The School also has 68 adjunct faculty, 55 in Teacher Education.

The average hours per week required of students participating in the program was 35 hours per week over a period of 14 weeks, for a total of 490 hours.

Aggregate and Summary of Institution-Level Pass-Rate Data: Regular Teacher Preparation Program, Spring 2007

Type of Assessment    Institutional Pass Rate    Statewide Pass Rate   
Aggregate-Basic Skills    Summary   

For more information, contact:

Sarah Irvine Belson , Ph.D.
Dean and Associate Professor
School of Education
4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Gray Hall Room 120
Washington, DC 20016-8030
tel. 202-885-3714
sarah@american.edu

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