S T A T E B O A R D O F E D U C A T I O N SYNOPSIS AGENDA/EXECUTIVE SUMMARY CODE: EP-02 COMMITTEE: Education Professions DATE: June 14, 2021 SUBJECT/TITLE National Accreditation Decisions: Spring 2021 PURPOSE OF REPORT/REGULATION/ITEM State Board of Education (SBE) Regulation 43-90 gives the SBE the authority to determine accreditation decisions of educator preparation providers (EPPs) in South Carolina. CRITICAL FACTS SBE Regulation 43-90, Program Approval Standards for South Carolina Teacher Education Institutions, establishes accreditation requirements for EPPs. The SBE requires that all teacher education programs meet the standards as established by a national accreditation association with which the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) has a partnership agreement. For SBE approval, public institutions must seek and receive national accreditation. Private institutions may seek national accreditation or meet national standards for SBE approval. Statutory authority to determine accreditation decisions for and impose sanctions against teacher education programs is granted to the SBE. In 2015, the SCDE entered a partnership agreement with the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), and the SBE has adopted the CAEP standards as the national provider standards, which all South Carolina institutions must meet in order to achieve or maintain accreditation status. CAEP serves as the national accrediting organization for institutions seeking national accreditation in the state. Private institutions seeking accreditation may participate in a state review process to meet national standards. The SCDE recommends that the SBE recognize the CAEP accreditation decisions for each institution as summarized in the table below: Accrediting Institution Level Accreditation Status Validity Period Organization Initial-Level Francis Marion Spring 2021- CAEP Certification Accreditation University Spring 2028 Programs Advanced-Level Spring 2021- Francis Marion Accreditation with CAEP Certification Spring 2023 University Stipulations Programs Initial-Level Spring 2021- Lander University CAEP Certification Accreditation Spring 2028 Programs Initial-Level Spring 2021- College of CAEP Certification Accreditation Spring 2028 Charleson Programs Initial-Level Spring 2021- Claflin University CAEP Certification Accreditation Spring 2028 Programs The Accreditation Action Report for the providers above include the overall accreditation decision and information regarding each standard evaluated as a part of the accreditation process. Accreditation is granted when the Accreditation Council determines that a provider meets all CAEP Standards, even if areas for improvement (AFIs) are identified in the final decision. Each institution listed above received a CAEP designation of accreditation for Initial-Level certification programs. Any areas for improvement listed in this report must be addressed by the provider during the next accreditation cycle. With SBE approval of CAEP’s accreditation designations above, the next site review for Initial-Level certification programs will occur in fall 2027. Accreditation with Stipulations is granted when the council determines that an EPP receives one or more stipulations (i.e., written statements of deficiencies) but all standards are otherwise met. Francis Marion University received a CAEP designation of Accreditation with Stipulations for Advanced-Level certification programs. In order to achieve full accreditation, the EPP must address the deficiencies noted in the stipulations and provide supporting evidence within two years. Following review of the institution’s Stipulation Final Report, the Accreditation Council may remove stipulations and grant Accreditation or may issue a status of Probationary Accreditation or Denial/Revocation of Accreditation. The SCDE and PRC will monitor progress towards accreditation and provide technical assistance to Francis Marion University faculty and staff as needed. The EPP may continue to recommend candidates for certification during the period of Accreditation with Stipulations. With SBE approval of Francis Marion University’s accreditation decision, the next site review will occur in fall 2023. All the institutions listed above provided evidence that state requirements were sufficiently met. TIMELINE/REVIEW PROCESS October 11-13, 2020 A CAEP review team conducts the site visit with national and state reviewers for Francis Marion University. November 15-16, 2020 A CAEP review team conducts the site visit with national and state reviewers for Lander University. December 6-8, 2020 A CAEP review team conducts conducted the site visit with national and state reviewers for College of Charleston. December 13-15, 2020 A CAEP review team conducts conducted the site visit with national and state reviewers for Claflin University. April 24, 2021 The CAEP Accreditation Council considers the reviewer findings for the institutions named above. May 14, 2021 The CAEP Accreditation Council notifies the institutions of their accreditation status and provided documentation to the SCDE. June 8, 2021 The SCDE presents the recommendation to affirm the CAEP accreditation decisions for the institutions named above. ECONOMIC IMPACT COST: N/A FUND/SOURCE: N/A ATTACHMENTS Attachments: yes no (attachments must be submitted with synopsis) Name of Attachments: 1. Francis Marion University CAEP Accreditation Action Report 2. Lander University CAEP Accreditation Action Report 3. College of Charleston CAEP Accreditation Action Report 4. Claflin University CAEP Accreditation Action Report RECOMMENDATION The SCDE recommends that the SBE affirm the CAEP accreditation decisions for Francis Marion University, Lander University, College of Charleston, and Claflin University. ACTION REQUEST FOR APPROVAL: FOR INFORMATION ONLY: Revised: 5-7-19 .