"Transforming teacher education through clinical practice"-- New report from NCATE

Released Nov. 16, this new report sponsored by NCATE emphasizes clinical preparation as the key to reforming teacher preparation programs. The entire report is available here.
An article from Inside Higher Ed provides an overview stating in part, "At the report’s core is the assertion that for teachers to be effective, they need educations grounded in immersion and clinical practice. The report calls for more rigorous accountability; strengthening candidate selection and placement; revamping curriculums, incentives and staffing; and identifying what works and supporting continuous improvement. " All of this probably shounds familiar if you went to hear Jane West speak at the Alumni Center a couple of weeks ago.

NCATE and TEAC are now CAEP

As you may have heard from speaker Jane West yesterday, or via some other news source, the two major accrediting bodies for teacher education programs have now merged into the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation. West called this a positive step in creating a unified voice for teacher preparation programs. Here's an excerpt from the new organization's web site:
"October 22, 2010, was a historic day for educator preparation. The NCATE and TEAC governing boards voted to create a single accrediting body for educator preparation. The two organizations will consolidate into one organization, CAEP, within a two-year period. The new organization will offer accreditation options."

NCATE to change accreditation requirements

NCATE will be changing their accreditation requirements immediately to emphasize "continuing research into good teaching methods" according to this report in the Chronicle of Higher Education. Colleges will have until 2012 to update their curricula. Many colleges are already seeking to make their programs more relevant by working with local schools to expose students to research-based teaching strategies.

Education Week's article on the significantly revised standards discusses two possible paths to meeting requiements.