The Teacher Education Programs at Davis & Elkins College have received full, seven-year accreditation by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). CAEP is the sole national accrediting body for educator preparation, recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

CAEP is dedicated to ensuring excellence, relevance and continuous improvement in educator preparation, and D&E’s achievement affirms that the College meets CAEP’s rigorous standards in program quality, clinical partnerships, candidate performance and impact on P-12 student learning. In turn, this accreditation reflects the College’s commitment to preparing highly effective teachers who are grounded in best practices and ready to serve the diverse needs of today’s schools.

CAEP fully accredited programs at Davis & Elkins College include: Elementary Education (K-6); Special Education (K-12); Mathematics Education (5-Adult); Health Education (5-Adult); Physical Education (PreK-Adult); Reading (endorsement only).

“Achieving full seven-year CAEP accreditation is a testament to the dedication, collaboration and hard work of my entire team — faculty, staff and partners alike,” says Chair, Teacher Education and Assistant Professor of Education Melanie Gribble. “We are fortunate to have strong local P-12 school and community partnerships. This accreditation reflects not only our commitment to excellence in teacher preparation, but also our shared mission of preparing educators who will positively impact students for years to come.”

The accreditation comes after an extensive multi-year review process that included a self-study, evidence-based reporting and a comprehensive site visit by CAEP evaluators. The full seven-year accreditation cycle is the longest period granted by CAEP and is reserved for educator preparation providers that demonstrate strong performance across all standards, consistent quality and a clear commitment to continuous improvement.

“This is excellent news,” says Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Mike Mattison. “Professor Gribble, in addition to the rest of our Education department and all its partners, have done a marvelous job with this accreditation process — and CAEP’s decision showcases the strength of our Education program. We need quality teachers in our schools, and D&E prepares teachers as well as anyone.”