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CONTACT: Susie P. Gonzalez

susie.gonzalez@trinity.edu

Dec. 6, 2004

Trinity Education Department is Re-Accredited by National Teacher Organization

SAN ANTONIO - The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, (NCATE), an organization responsible for professional accreditation of teacher education, has again granted accredited status to Trinity University's department of education. The department's five-year teacher education program has been accredited by NCATE since 1993.

The national organization currently accredits 588 institutions which produce two-thirds of the nation's new teacher graduates each year. Schools with the NCATE accreditation must meet rigorous standards set by the profession and members of the public. Teacher candidates must have in-depth knowledge of the subject matter that they plan to teach as well as the skills necessary to convey it so that students learn.

"I am delighted at our re-accreditation, especially since the NCATE standards are more rigorous than previous ones," says Paul Kelleher, Murchison Distinguished Professor and chair of the education department. "The faculty and I are pleased to have this external validation of the value of our programs."

Trinity's education department also is accredited by the National Association of School Psychologists, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and the state of Texas. Trinity's program also is ranked in the first quartile of the federal government's Title II accountability system.

Trinity began a five-year Master of Arts in Teaching program in 1987. The education department also offers master's degrees in school psychology and school administration. Over the years, Trinity has demonstrated a strong commitment to public elementary and secondary education and strives to prepare educators who possess the credentials and experience needed to create, manage, and nurture successful learning environments.

The U.S. Department of Education recognizes NCATE as a specialized accrediting body for schools, colleges, and departments of education. The organization is composed of more than 30 professional and policymaker organizations representing millions of Americans committed to quality teaching.

For more information on Trinity's teacher education program, visit

http://carme.cs.trinity.edu/Education/index.asp.

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