FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 25, 2004

CONTACT: Brenda Dreyer, Director - University Relations - 605-626-2552 

Northern State University celebrates 50th year of national accreditation 

ABERDEEN, S.D. - On July 1, 1954, Northern State Teachers College became a founding member of the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.  Now, 50 years later, NCATE has become the premier accrediting agency for education professionals in the United States, currently accrediting 575 schools and colleges of education, including the School of Education at Northern State University.

“We are proud of our association with NCATE and that our college has been accredited for these five decades,” said Sharon, Tebben, dean of the NSU School of Education.  “We have maintained our high quality programs, preparing teachers, administrators and counselors as the educational standards have evolved over the years.  Responding to the NCATE guidelines and its national standards has helped us maintain that commitment to excellence.”

NCATE-accredited colleges of education produce more than two-thirds of the nation’s new teachers every year.  Thirty-nine states have adopted or adapted NCATE standards for their own state accreditation systems.

The NCATE accreditation system is based upon periodic inspection visits.  The last NCATE accreditation visit to NSU was in 2001.  Full accreditation was granted, and the next visit is scheduled for 2006. 

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