Seidel School Education Programs Earn National Reaccreditation

SALISBURY, MD---Salisbury University’s roots began as a Maryland State Normal School created to educate teachers.

Now, nearly nine decades later, the Samuel W. and Marilyn C. Seidel School of Education and Professional Studies has earned the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education’s (NCATE) highest honor: national reaccreditation.

“This accreditation decision indicates that [SU] and its programs meet rigorous standards set forth by the professional education community,” said James G. Cibulka, president of the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

Dr. Diane Allen, SU’s provost and senior vice president of academic affairs, added: “SU has a tradition of academic excellence in its education programs. The re-accreditation is a stamp of approval for the training our students continue to receive.”

In particular, SU was lauded for the community partnerships it has established through its Professional Development School (PDS) program, said Dr. Cheryl Parks, dean. SU has 34 PDS connections in seven Maryland counties. 

“The relationships we have are outstanding and the co-teaching model involving interns and mentor teachers is being replicated by others,” Parks said.

Dr. Lillian M. Lowery, Maryland state superintendent of schools, called Salisbury’s PDS model “exceptional work” that “has gained state and national recognition.”

SU education faculty also were lauded for their high level of engagement in service and collaboration with local schools and for providing training and presentations at local, state and national conferences, Parks said. 

SU’s departments of Teacher Education and Education Specialties offer B.S. degrees in early childhood education and/or elementary education, health and physical education, and secondary education with various concentrations; an M.S. in mathematics education; an M.Ed. in educational leadership and reading specialist; an M.A. in teaching and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL); and a new doctorate in education. 

More than 2,500 students enroll annually in SU’s education programs.

Founded in 1954, NCATE has been widely recognized, including by the U. S. Department of Education, as a specialized accrediting body for education programs. SU was one of the original teacher preparation institutions that earned the 1954 NCATE accreditation.

CAEP is a newly formed accrediting organization into which NCATE is transitioning, along with the Teacher Education Accreditation Council.

For more information call 410-543-6030 or visit the SU website at www.salisbury.edu.