NNMC News:ESPANOLA ― The College of Education at Northern New Mexico College recently received notice of accreditation at the initial teacher preparation level from Fall 2016 to Spring 2023 based on the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) standards.
NCATE’s performance-based accreditation system for teacher preparation ensures that teacher candidates are prepared to make a difference in P-12 student learning.
This accreditation decision indicates that Northern’s College of Education and its degree programs meet rigorous standards set forth by the professional education community.
The accreditation process involves a robust assessment system dedicated to collecting performance data on candidate knowledge, skills and dispositions. The information thus derived is used to advise candidates as they make progress in their program as well as informing unit operations.
A successful accreditation can be regarded as assurance that the teacher preparation programs conform to the highest standards at both the state and national level. The programs at Northern are characterized by extensive field placement experiences throughout the program. Candidates are placed, observed, and evaluated in collaboration with highly qualified mentors at the school sites.
These experiences provide pre-service teachers with ample hands-on opportunities as they engage in teaching and gain experience in addressing the needs of diverse student populations. We are particularly proud of the fact that many of our candidates receive multiple job offers (even prior to graduation) and that our school partners typically consider them a major assets to bring into their midst.
Northern New Mexico College is uniquely situated in a culturally and geographically diverse region. Its College of Education prepares teachers of high quality to work in multicultural and multilingual settings. We provide theoretical foundations and practical applications that encourage our students to think creatively and critically.
Students can earn associate and bachelor’s degrees in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education, and post-graduate students can earn alternative licensure (ALP).
Students earning bachelor’s degrees in Elementary Education can choose a concentration in Humanities, TESOL, or Bilingual Education. This program also offers a track on Pueblo Indian Studies particularly relevant to pre-service teachers. Students pursing the ALP can choose a concentration in Elementary Education, Secondary Education, and Special Education.
A low faculty to candidate ratio (1-10), ensures that candidates enjoy individualized attention and mentoring. Faculty serve as program advisors, ensuring that effective guidance is available and that student progress is carefully monitored to ensure a successful outcome. The faculty are all qualified in their areas of expertise and process extensive experience in school settings as well as distinguished service as consultants.
Providers accredited based on NCATE standards, as well as those accredited based on the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC) Quality Principles, are now served by the single specialized accreditation system for educator preparation in the United States, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). More than 840 educator preparation providers participate in the CAEP accreditation system.
Northern New Mexico College is a Hispanic- and Native American-serving comprehensive institution. Our mission is to ensure student success by providing access to affordable, community-based learning opportunities that meet the educational, cultural, and economic needs of the region.
The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (www.CAEPnet.org) advances excellence in educator preparation through evidence-based accreditation that assures quality and supports continuous improvement to strengthen P-12 student learning.
