SUNY Potsdam Education Programs Nationally Accredited Once Again

POTSDAM, NY (06/24/2015)(readMedia)-- The State University of New York at Potsdam recently received accreditation for seven years, under the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) standards. NCATE's performance-based accreditation system for teacher preparation ensures that teacher candidates are prepared to make a difference in Pre-K-to-12 student learning.

The review team particularly commended SUNY Potsdam's School of Education and Professional Studies for its pursuit of excellence and for recruiting exceptional student candidates, building collaborative relationships with schools and offering a complete spectrum of continuous improvement activities.

"Since its founding in 1816, SUNY Potsdam has been a pioneer in the field of teacher education. Our graduates have gone on to distinguished careers in classrooms across the state, nation and globe. We are very proud to have our programs reaccredited through the rigorous NCATE standards," said School of Education and Professional Studies Dean Peter Brouwer.

Teacher education at Potsdam traces its history back to the College's foundation as St. Lawrence Academy in 1816, making SUNY Potsdam's teacher education programs the oldest in the SUNY system.

The teacher education program at SUNY Potsdam's School of Education and Professional Studies is committed to the preparation and enhancement of teachers who are grounded in disciplinary knowledge, emanating from the arts and sciences and in curricular and instructional theory and practice. The unit strives to assist teachers to become reflective practitioners and lifelong learners who are able to integrate their knowledge of subject matter, pedagogy, students, their district and the larger community, to maximize the education and welfare of all students.

The School of Education and Professional Studies is committed to preparing and sustaining teachers who hold knowledge and attitudes needed in dealing with the challenges facing schools today and in the future. These new challenges include: increased diversity of the student population in terms of abilities, linguistic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds; rapid technological advancements; changes in assessment practices, and school restructuring and reform.

Providers accredited under NCATE standards, as well as those accredited under the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC) Quality Principles, are now served by the single specialized accreditation system for educator preparation in the United States, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). More than 900 educator preparation providers participate in the CAEP accreditation system. For more information, visit www.caepnet.org.

SUNY Potsdam's School of Education and Professional Studies has been preparing educators for nearly 200 years, dating back to the College's founding as the St. Lawrence Academy in 1816. Today, that legacy extends to rigorous undergraduate and graduate programs led by nationally recognized faculty, offering hands-on applied learning experiences. For more information, visit www.potsdam.edu/academics/SOEPS/education.

Founded in 1816, and located on the outskirts of the beautiful Adirondack Park, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America's first 50 colleges. SUNY Potsdam currently enrolls approximately 4,300 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its handcrafted education, challenging liberal arts and sciences core, excellence in teacher training and leadership in the performing and visual arts. Empowered by a culture of creativity, the campus community recently launched Take the Lead: The Campaign for Potsdam, which aims to raise $32 million by the College's bicentennial in 2016.

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