NCATE Commits to Streamlining Accrediting Process

Group also plans to offer teacher-prep programs alternative pathways.

The nation’s largest accreditor of teacher colleges says it will streamline the process teacher- preparation programs go through to get its approval and make the process more cost-efficient.

The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education will also offer options within the accreditation process and promote rigor and inquiry, said James G. Cibulka, the president of NCATE, which accredits 650 of the 1,200 teacher programs in the country.

“In offering these options to institutions, ... we want to provide opportunities for continuous improvement” in the teacher programs, said Mr. Cibulka. The move would give institutions a chance to focus on best practices and carry out research and development on effective...