College of Education Accreditation
The College of Education at Kean University is hosting an accreditation visit by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) on December 2-4, 2024. Interested parties are invited to submit third-party comments to the evaluation team. Please note that comments must address substantive matters related to the quality of professional education programs offered and should specify the party's relationship to the provider (i.e., graduate, present or former faculty member, employer of graduates).
We invite you to submit written testimony to:
The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
1140 19th Street NW, Suite 400,
Washington, DC 20036
or by email to: callforcomments@caepnet.org
Such comments must be within the specified period and based on the core tenets of CAEP accreditation standards of excellence, which recognize that:
- In CAEP's performance-based system, accreditation is based on evidence that demonstrates that teacher candidates know the subject matter and can teach it effectively so that students learn. In the CAEP system, EPPs must prove that candidates can connect theory to practice and be effective in an actual P-12 classroom.
- A professional education provider that is accredited by CAEP is expected to be involved in ongoing planning and evaluation; engaged in continuous assessment and development; ensure that faculty and programs reflect new knowledge, practice, and technologies; and be involved in continuous development in response to the evolving world of education and educational reform.
- Comments must address substantive matters related to the quality of professional education programs offered, and should specify the respondent's relationship, if any, to the institution (i.e., graduate, present or former faculty member, employer of graduates). Copies of all correspondence received will be sent to the university for comment prior to the review.
CAEP Accreditation
The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) is a national accrediting body for teacher preparation programs. CAEP’s mission is to advance equity and excellence in educator preparation through evidence-based accreditation that assures quality and supports continuous improvement to strengthen P-12 student learning. CAEP is formally recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
Council of Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
1140 19th St NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036 ▪ (202) 223-0077 ▪ http://caepnet.org/
TEACHER PREPARATION PROGRAMS ACCREDITED BY CAEP
Kean University has a long and rich history of preparing education professionals. Since its inception, the University has been a forerunner in teacher education in New Jersey. Today, Kean graduates are making a real difference in the lives of young people throughout the United States and abroad.
The College of Education has been accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) since 1955. In 2010, NCATE consolidated with the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC) to form CAEP. The College of Education holds both Initial Preparation (ITP) and Advanced Preparation (ADV) accreditation standing with CAEP through several programs.
INITIAL TEACHER CERTIFICATION [2020 - 2025]
- Early Childhood Education (Bachelor of Arts P-3/TSD)
- Elementary Bilingual Education (Bachelor of Arts K-6; Bachelor of Arts K-6 and 5-8)
- Elementary Education (Bachelor of Arts K-6/TSD; Bachelor of Arts K-6 and 5-8/TSD)
- Art Education | Fine Arts (Bachelor of Arts; Master of Arts)
- Instruction and Curriculum (Master of Arts)
Biology Education, Chemistry Education, Mathematics Education - Music Education (Bachelor of Music)
- Physical Education and Health (Bachelor of Science K-12)
- Spanish Education (Bachelor of Arts K-12)
- Theatre Education (Bachelor of Arts K-12)
- Teacher Certification in an academic major (Bachelor of Arts K-12)
Biology Education, Chemistry Education, Earth Science Education, English Education, History Education, and
Mathematical Sciences Education - Teacher Certification in an academic major (Bachelor of Arts K-12/TSD)
Biology Education, Earth Science Education, English Education, History Education, and Mathematical Sciences Education - Alternate Route (Early Childhood Education, P-3; Teacher of English as a Second Language)
ADVANCED CERTIFICATION [2021 - 2025]
Advanced-level certification applies to post-baccalaureate or graduate level programs that lead to licensure, certification, or endorsement. These programs are designed to develop P-12 teachers who have already completed an initial preparation program, currently licensed administrators, and other certificated school professionals for employment.
- Educational Administration (Master of Arts; Post-Master's Certification)
- Instruction and Curriculum (Master of Arts; Certification)
- Bilingual/Bicultural Education
- Teacher of English as a Second Language (TESOL) - School Psychology (Professional Diploma)
- Special Education (Master of Arts)
- Autism and Developmental Disabilities
- Learning and Behavior Disabilities - Teacher of Students with Disabilities (Certification)
- Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant - LDTC (Post Master’s Certification)
To view the full list of program offerings in the College of Education, please visit: https://www.kean.edu/academics/college-education
CAEP ANNUAL ACCREDITATION REPORT MEASURES
The College of Education has secured its data for the initial and advanced-certification programs from a number of reliable data sources.
Measure 1: Completer Effectiveness |
The College uses evaluation and impact data from the New Jersey Department of Education Performance Report for Educator Preparation (PREP formerly EPPPR) as evidence of completer effectiveness in teacher education programs. These data include the Student Growth Objectives (SGOs), the median Student Growth Percentiles (mSGPs), the Teacher Practice Scores, and the Summative Scores. Due to the circumstances related to the COVID-19 public health emergency, evaluation data for certified program completers from the 2018-19 school year (employed in 2019-20), and the 2019-20 school year (employed in 2020-21) were not reported, therefore the 2021 and 2022 reports do not contain impact measures. The 2023 report has not yet been released by the state department of education. Data are expected to be available by September 2024. The latest institutional and comparative statewide data are provided in the 2020 Evaluation Results and Impact Data summary report. Also provided as part of this reporting measure, are results of the Survey of Completers (Exit survey) which measures program preparedness and satisfaction of candidates in their final semester, just prior to nomination for certification. Trended data are available for completers from 2019-2020 to present, and may be filtered by statement, InTASC and NJPST standard, academic year, or individual term. 2020 Evaluation Results and Impact Data 2021 Evaluation Results and Impact Data 2022 Evaluation Results and Impact Data 2023 Evaluation Results and Impact Data (forthcoming) |
Measure 2: Satisfaction of Employers and Stakeholder Involvement |
The College administered a pilot employer survey to district-partners in summer 2020 through the Anthology assessment system. The results of that administration yielded a low response rate (15%), which in part was attributed to the administration method and the restraints related to the pandemic. Revisions to the instrument have since been made including clearer alignment to CAEP, InTASC, and NJPST. In contrast to the prior survey administration, the content is now delivered through a focus group style meeting led by the College’s executive staff and addresses both initial and advanced programs. Focus groups provide a unique opportunity to gain employer insights on program preparation that cannot otherwise be effectively obtained. The most recent employer focus groups were held in Spring 2024 with three distinct groups: superintendents, principals, and supervisors/other administrators. Results from the focus group are provided in the Employer Satisfaction Focus Group exhibit. Kean University has a deep commitment to its partnerships with various stakeholders, both internal and external. Internal stakeholder involvement includes the executive team committee, curriculum committee, teaching and service committee, and various department meetings for the purposes of data sharing, quality assurance system development, and improvement of business practices. External stakeholder involvement includes the clinical advisory board, curriculum and teaching advisory board, partner-districts and affiliations, and focus groups, all of which create opportunities for stakeholders to provide input in creating, revising, or providing feedback for improvements of assessments and processes. Evidence of stakeholder involvement is detailed in the Assessment and Quality Control System (AQCS) protocol (see Appendix II). As supplementary evidence, in the Student Finance, Earnings, and Diversity exhibit the student loan cohort default rate, College Scorecard® data on financial aid and debt, typical earnings, and campus diversity are provided. These disclosures helps to gauge the cost of federal student loan programs and is demonstrative of affordability and employment outcomes. Employer Satisfaction (Focus Group) |
Measure 3: Candidate Competency at Completion |
A combination of measures are employed to ensure that candidates possess academic competency to teach effectively with positive impacts on diverse P-12 student learning and development through application of content knowledge, foundational pedagogical skills, and technology integration in the field where certification is sought. The College of Education participates in the ‘passing score minus 5%’ rule, as allowed by the New Jersey Department of Education “Grade Point Average and Praxis Flexibility” regulation. In accordance with this rule, where the candidate’s GPA is 3.50 or higher, and the passing score is no less than five percent of the published cut scores, the test requirement will be met. The College also participates in the Limited Certification of Eligibility with Advanced Standing (CEAS) pilot program. This five-year pilot program pursuant to P.L. 2021, c.224, (Chapter 224), permits candidates to be waived from meeting the minimum required GPA (3.0) or achieving a passing score on the Praxis subject-matter assessment(s), after at least one attempt. By satisfying all other program requirements, and in conjunction with the “Grade Point Average and Praxis Flexibility” regulation, or qualifying for the Limited CEAS pilot program, completers will be considered eligible to meet licensing and state requirements. Assessment pass rate data, specific to subject area, are available in the published Title II reports. Title II Report: Traditional Report Title II Report: Alternative Report edTPA Performance Summary Results |
Measure 4: Ability of Completers to be Hired |
Evidence on completer’s ability to be hired is sourced from New Jersey Department of Education’s Performance Reports for Educator Preparation (PREP formerly EPPPR). The College uses evaluation and impact data (SGO, mSGP, Teacher Practice Scores, and the summative scores) from the performance reports as evidence of completer effectiveness in our educator preparation programs. Due to the circumstances related to the COVID-19 public health emergency, evaluation data for certified program completers from the 2018-19 school year (employed in 2019-20), and the 2019-20 school year (employed in 2020-21) were not reported, therefore the 2021 and 2022 reports do not contain impact measures. The 2023 report has not yet been released by the state department of education. Data are expected to be available by September 1, 2024. The latest institutional and comparative statewide data are provided in the 2020 Evaluation Results and Impact Data summary report. The Certification of Assessment Results report provide data about program completer performance on required licensure assessments. These data are disaggregated by Praxis subject test and display the test cut score, state results, and EPP results. The Full-time Employment Outcomes and Compensation report provides data on the number of certified completers and persistence trends, employment by certification count, employment by certification area, compensation by region, employment by school classification, and employment by school category. Evaluation Report and Impact Data Employment Outcomes and Compensation The complete New Jersey Performance report for Kean University may be found here: https://eppdata.doe.state.nj.us/home/2022/Kean%20University%20-%20CEAS/All%20Programs" |
Student Placement and Clinical Experiences |
In the pre-service application of knowledge, skills, and dispositions, the College of Education measures content and pedagogical knowledge using a variety of assessment tools, including the Clinical Competency Inventory (CCI) which is used during Clinical Practice I and II. This performance-based assessment tool measures key competencies aligned to the Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC) Model Core Teaching Standards and the New Jersey Professional Standards for Teaching (NJPST). The CCI is completed by the assigned clinical educators (field supervisors and cooperating teachers) as well as the candidate as a self-assessment. Mean scores across three semesters, disaggregated by InTASC/NJPST category are provided in the Clinical Competency Inventory (CCI) summary report to demonstrate our aspiring educator’s performance in the field. To learn more about Student Placement and Clinical Experiences, please visit: https://www.kean.edu/academics/college-education/student-placement-and-clinical-experiences |