Les Wietstock Chief Operating Officer | Dickinson State University
Les Wietstock Chief Operating Officer | Dickinson State University
Dickinson State University's Educator Preparation Program (EPP) has been acknowledged for its excellence following an accreditation visit by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). The program received outstanding recognition, marking a significant achievement in its ongoing commitment to high-quality teacher education.
The CAEP accreditation process is known for its thoroughness, consisting of two main phases. DSU's journey began in May 2023 with a state content program review that included evaluations of various education programs such as elementary and business education. All programs were rated as "met with no weaknesses" by the North Dakota Education Standards and Practices Board.
In the second phase, DSU underwent a comprehensive assessment involving curriculum and field experiences aligned with InTASC standards. This included submitting a self-study report in early fall 2023, receiving feedback from CAEP in July 2024, and concluding with a virtual site visit from November 4-7, 2024. The evaluation focused on teaching skills necessary for successful educators.
The CAEP Site Review Team assessed DSU's program across five key standards: content knowledge, clinical partnerships, candidate support, program impact, and quality assurance. Each standard was met with evidence deemed complete and accurate according to CAEP's criteria.
Dr. Larry Daniel, Chair of the CAEP Site Team, praised DSU’s program as “worthy of celebration” due to its organizational change efforts, collaboration between faculty and partners, commitment to innovation, impressive candidates and alumni responses to InTASC standards language, and leadership contributions from faculty members like Professor Amy Grinsteinner and Dr. Pam Krueger.
Achieving a perfect rating without any areas needing improvement or stipulations places DSU among a select group of educator preparation programs in North Dakota. The next scheduled CAEP accreditation visit will occur during the 2031-2032 academic year.
This success highlights Dickinson State University's dedication to preparing educators equipped to meet classroom challenges effectively.
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