Faculty and Administrators’ Perceptions of Changing Accrediting Agencies From NCATE (National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education) to TEAC (Teacher Education Accreditation Council) at One Institution

• In Event: Assessment and Accreditation: How Do Instruments and Procedures Relate to Policy and Performance Indicators?

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of faculty members and administrators at one institution on the subject of their change in accrediting agencies from the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education to the Teacher Education Accreditation Council. 17 faculty members and administrators were interviewed. The following themes emerged: 1) Prestige and elitism, 2) NCATE process seen as prescriptive and without value. 3) NCATE process seen as unfair evaluation. 4) TEAC process seen as more autonomous and professional. This exploratory study has helped identify issues in perceptions of accreditation in order to craft further inquiry into the value of accreditation, and the strengths and weaknesses of the processes.

Authors

• Muriel K. Rand, New Jersey City University

• Sue Gerber, New Jersey City University

• Matthew John Caulfield, New Jersey City University