The College of Education and Behavioral Sciences at Western Kentucky University is very pleased to announce that it is one of 57 colleges that received either initial or continuing accreditation at the October 1998 meeting of the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education’s (NCATE) Unit Accreditation Board.  At this time, approximately 500 institutions are nationally accredited by NCATE, the organization responsible for the professional accreditation of teacher education. These 500 institutions produce two-thirds of the nation's new teacher graduates. Within the state of Kentucky, only10 of the 26 colleges and universities offering teacher education programs are fully accredited by NCATE.

Professional accreditation is one way to ensure to the public that colleges of education are graduating well-qualified teachers ready for today's classrooms.  Teacher education programs at Western Kentucky University have been NCATE accredited since 1954.  This most recent reaccreditation of the University follows a visit in April 1998 by a team of 9 professional educators.  NCATE-accredited schools must meet rigorous standards set by the profession and members of the public. These standards expect accredited colleges of education to ensure that subject matter content, and how it is taught, is a priority; to emphasize school district collaboration; to ensure that candidates can use technology in instruction; and to prepare teacher candidates to teach students from diverse backgrounds. Institutions that are accredited nationally are required to provide quality professional education programs that foster competent practice by graduates of their programs. As a part of the accrediting process, the College must meet rigorous standards of excellence developed by professional educators, must demonstrate that its programs reflect established knowledge and sound professional practice, must establish and uphold national standards of excellence, and must strengthen the quality and integrity of professional education. Through the accreditation process, NCATE provides assurance to the public that professionally accredited units have met national professional standards.  

Western is committed to insuring the very best programs for each student enrolled and works to ensure future success for its graduates.  Students who complete licensure programs in nationally accredited programs such as the one at Western find it much easier to transfer their teaching credentials from one state to another, using reciprocity agreements established by NCATE with a number of states.