MUNCIE, Ind. -- A commitment to developing well-prepared teachers, administrators, school counselors and psychologists has resulted in Ball State University receiving national reaccreditation.

Teachers College, the professional education unit at Ball State, was evaluated under the performance-oriented standards of the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), the organization responsible for professional accreditation of teacher education nationally.

NCATE is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as the professional accrediting body for schools, departments and colleges of education. On-site visits, document review and accreditation decisions are carried out by professionals from the education community, including teachers, school specialists, and teacher educators, the public and education policy makers.

Roy Weaver, dean of Teachers College, said external, independent review of any enterprise is essential for improvement and quality assurance and likened NCATE’s reaccreditation to receiving the organization’s seal of approval.

"For Ball State University faculty, staff, administrators, students, and alumni, the renewal of our NCATE accreditation is a matter of great pride," he said. "It reflects the institution's commitment to high standards, teaching excellence, meaningful service to the profession, and applied research aimed at enhancing the quality of life for all citizens."

Teachers College is one of 57 professional education units that received either initial or continuing accreditation by

NCATE’s Unit Accreditation Board in its most recent round of decisions. About 500 schools accredited by NCATE produce about two-thirds of the nation’s new teacher graduates.

NCATE-accredited schools must meet rigorous standards set by the profession and members of the public. The organization expects accredited schools of education to ensure that subject matter content, and how to teach it, is a priority.