1. CAEP Orientation: Newcomers
CAEP PRESENTER:
Richard Rice, Accreditation Associate

2. What will be covered in the next 90 minutes?
Point 1—CAEP Resources Point 2—Accreditation Process

3. CAEP Resources CAEP Website: caepnet.org
Accreditation Information Management System (AIMS): aims.caepnet.org

4. CAEP ACCREDITATION PROCESS
The CAEP Accreditation process is a uniform process for accreditation focused on accountability and continuous improvement. This process is rigorous and high quality, fair, clearly communicated, applied consistently, and managed by a CAEP team of knowledgeable and effective staff.

5. CAEP Accreditation Process

6. CAEP APPLICATION PROCESS
EPPs with NCATE or TEAC accreditation that are in “good standing” are considered CAEP eligible and do NOT have to apply to CAEP.
EPPs new to accreditation or that have lapsed accreditation must apply to CAEP. The Part 1 and Part 2 Applications are now available.

7. CAEP APPLICATION: PART 1
Contact and leadership information
Proposed first visit semester
Number of Completers
Indication of Regional Accreditation status/Financial capacity
Agreement to commit to CAEP accreditation
Signatures of institutional and EPP leadership
Receive AIMS access and an invoice!
EPPs must complete the application process and schedule a site visit within three years of submitting Part 1
Results in:
Applicant status

8. CAEP Application: PART 2
The Characteristics and Capacity Tables
Provides context
Provides overview of capacity to operate programs
Allows for the selection of program review option(s)
Readiness Self-Assessment Checklist
Allows EPPs to assess their readiness to address the CAEP standards
Results in:
CAEP eligible status – EPP is ready to engage in CAEP accreditation
EPP sets site visit semester and date (date must be set at least 18 months prior to visit)

9. CAEP Standards for Initial Programs
2013: CAEP Standards for Initial Licensure Programs released:
Scope:
Initial Programs are defined by CAEP as programs at the baccalaureate or post- baccalaureate levels leading to initial licensure, certification, or endorsement that are designed to develop P-12 teachers. All programs offered by the EPP that fall within CAEP’s scope must be submitted in a single self-study report that addresses CAEP Standards for Initial Licensure Programs. First-time licensure areas beyond teaching that are limited to advanced level degrees for other school professionals, such as reading specialists, are addressed in the section that follows [advanced scope].

10. CAEP Standards for Advanced Programs
2016: CAEP Standards for Advanced Programs released:
Scope:
Advanced Level Programs are defined by CAEP as educator preparation programs at the post baccalaureate or graduate levels leading to licensure, certification, or endorsement. Advanced Level Programs are designed to develop P-12 teachers who have already completed an initial preparation program, currently licensed administrators, other certificated (or similar state language) school professionals for employment in P-12 schools/districts. These programs are submitted to CAEP using the CAEP Standards for Advanced Level Programs. For an EPP with advanced level programs only, or both initial and advanced level programs, a single self-study report is submitted for review.

11. Program Review
All EPPs seeking CAEP Accreditation must complete the program review process.
Program review is part of the overall accreditation process and occurs either prior (SPA) to or during (Program review with Feedback/State Review) the self-study report and accreditation site visit.
EPPs use the results of program review as evidence of meeting CAEP standards.
States with CAEP agreements determine which program review option can be selected by the EPP:
SPA review with national recognition
State Program Review
CAEP Program Review with Feedback

12. Program Review 1. CAEP Program Review with National Recognition
Specialized Professional Association (SPA) Standards
SPA review teams trained by both the SPAs & CAEP
2. CAEP Program Review with Feedback
INTASC (Initial) or NBPTS (Advanced)
State-selected standards if specified on CAEP-State agreement
Reviewed by site visitors (currently under revision)
3. State Program Review
State-selected standards
State review team

13. 3rd Party Comments
The EPP is required to solicit third party comment on its qualifications for accreditation as part of the accreditation review process.
Provide evidence within 7 days
Website link/newspaper scan/
Not less than sixteen (16) weeks prior to the scheduled date of a site visit
CAEP accepts written comments from stakeholders up to six (6) weeks before the site visit and provides these comments to the EPP. The EPP can respond to any written comments received prior to the scheduled site visit. The response must be received by CAEP no less than two (2) weeks prior to the site visit.

14. Self-Study Report & Self-Study Evidence
Self-study report and evidence room are opened 18 months prior to a site visit
Due 9 months prior to a site visit:
Capacity Elements
Narrative
Evidence

15. Formative Feedback Report
Written by the site team in response to self-study report:
No less than 5 months before site visit
Site team responds to EPP narrative and evidence
Site team can request clarification or additional evidence
Site team creates tasks for the EPP

16. Self-study report addendum
Written by EPP in response to formative feedback report
EPP provides clarification or additional evidence in response to site team’s writing
EPP has 60 days to complete

17. Pre-visit (virtual visit)
EPP and lead site visitor will meet to:
Seek clarification
Develop visit schedule
Request interviews

18. Site Visit and Onsite Evidence Room
The site team will/can:
Examine evidence cited in the self-study report
Conduct interviews
Conduct other investigations into cited evidence
Onsite evidence room
Exit interview

19. Site Visit Report
Site team writes response to the tasks completed during the site visit and analyzes evidence reviewed onsite
The site visit report contains any recommendations for AFIs and/or stipulations, but the site team does not make recommendations on met/unmet standards
Site visit report is submitted to EPP no later than 30 days after site visit for factual corrections

20. Factual Corrections Limited to details
Numbers, names, locations, programs
Lead site visitor incorporates questions and finalizes report

21. Rejoinder EPP’s response to the site visit report
EPP can signify agreement or disagreement with findings and write rationale, but cannot provide evidence in the rejoinder

22. Lead response to rejoinder
Lead site visitor (with assistance from team) responds to rejoinder
Can agree or disagree with EPP’s rejoinder
All documents go to the accreditation council

23. Accreditation Council
Initial Panel
15-20 minute period where EPP, state, and lead site visitor can join in-person or virtually for clarification questions
Joint Panel
Full Council
Panel makes recommendations on standards and affirms, modifies, or removes recommended areas for improvement and/or stipulations

24. Accreditation Decisions
Initial Accreditation Decisions
Accreditation for 7 years
Provisional accreditation
Accreditation with stipulations
Denial
Continuing Accreditation Decisions
Probationary accreditation
Revocation

25. Announcement of Decision
EPP and state notified no later than 30 days after council
Accreditation Action Report and Accreditation Letter are sent digitally and physically
CAEP updates website to reflect decisions are physical letters are sent
Appeals Process follows separate policies for announcement

26. EPP Annual Report Due every year
Lessened reporting requirements when site visit and EPP Annual Report are in same semester (spring) or site visit is in previous semester (fall)
Purpose is to encourage accurate data in AIMS and to engage EPPs in continuous improvement between cycles

27. Questions?