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February 21, 2024New Initial Accreditation for NJ Center for Teaching and Learning
The Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) – a national accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) – has awarded initial accreditation status to the educator preparation programs of the New Jersey Center for Teaching and Learning (NJCTL).
After reviewing the evidence collected through a process of self-study and peer review, the AAQEP Accreditation Commission issued the decision at its February 6 meeting. The commission’s action affirms that the non-profit’s programs meet AAQEP standards. A commendation was also noted for the program’s exceptionally strong assessment plan and wraparound support to ensure candidate success.
“We very much appreciate the detailed review of the assessment team at AAQEP, as well as its recognition of the important service we provide to educators who are eager to teach STEM courses,” said NJCTL Executive Director Bob Goodman.
AAQEP has accredited NJCTL for Master of Science in Teaching and Learning degrees in Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Computer Science, Mathematics, and Elementary Mathematics, as well as their associated New Jersey post-baccalaureate teacher preparation programs:
- Add-On Endorsement: for current certified teachers to add an endorsement to teach a new STEM subject.
- Traditional Alternate Route: for those with a bachelor’s degree (or 30 credits) in the subject they plan to teach and a minimum GPA of 3.0.
- Shortage Area Alternate Route: for those with any bachelor’s degree and any GPA.
The courses in NJCTL programs are designed so that graduate students can learn online, anywhere, anytime, at their own pace. NJCTL’s results speak for themselves, as the non-profit has become the nation’s largest producer of physics teachers (recently graduating its 300th physics teacher) and has created or trained teachers from kindergarten through early college in most all of science, mathematics, and computer science. It is also a leading producer of free, editable course materials that support the teaching of those subjects, which are used by teachers in all 50 states and more than 180 countries.
NJCTL charges $195 per credit for its graduate-level courses, leading to master’s degrees for some programs. Discounts are provided to members of the New Jersey Education Association.
National accreditation assures the quality of NJCTL’s professional preparation programs through a nongovernmental, nonregulatory process of self-study and peer review. This standard and evidence-based process serves two broad aims: accountability and continuous improvement.
The AAQEP model is also designed to honor local context and foster innovation and collaboration among institutions. AAQEP currently has members in 37 states and other jurisdictions with more than 190 educator preparation providers participating in the accreditation system.
About NJCTL
The New Jersey Center for Teaching and Learning (NJCTL) – the leading producer of physics teachers in the nation – is a nonprofit online graduate school of education; developed by teachers, for teachers. Through its degree and non-degree programs, NJCTL is helping to solve the ongoing STEM teacher shortage and the social injustice that comes from depriving underserved students access to STEM education and the important opportunities this learning provides. NJCTL is licensed by the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education. Learn more at NJCTL.org
About AAQEPAAQEP is a membership association and quality assurance agency that provides accreditation services and formative support to all types of educator preparation providers. The organization promotes excellent, effective, and innovative educator preparation that is committed to evidence-based improvement in a collaborative professional environment. AAQEP is nationally recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Visit aaqep.org for more information.
8 Comments
National accreditation is not the same as regional. This is another farce by the NJDOE and NJCTL. National certification consists of diploma mills.
This only shows there is a problem with NJCTL and its accreditation status. It cannot achieve regional accreditation. Every time its representatives toss word-salad justifications and flimsy stunts at us, the more suspicious we become. At one point, NJCTL’s reps say that the agency is fine as it stands and at another point, there is this blatant admittance that it must do better (in other words, that it doesn’t meet quality standards). It goes on and on and on.
What are the requirements for a nurse with a doctorate to teach in New Jersey? The nurse has 35 years of nursing experience including Director of Nursing at two hospitals. She also has been a school nurse. If she needs additional educational programs to teach what are those NJ requirements and is Kean college the only college providing necessary coursework to teach nursing in public and private schools/colleges?
It’s always a scam and contradiction with NJCTL. If this “nonprofit” doesn’t have the proper accreditation (regional, that is), why is it allowed approval by NJDOE? Why is this matter not settled with its accreditation yet? It goes on and on. Most suspicious. Kevin Dehmer, where are you? Squash this thing!
NJCTL’s accreditation status is why other states won’t acknowledge it. A college-level institution must have the proper accreditation to operate or else it is a diploma mill. Until NJCTL receives regional accreditation like other colleges in NJ, it should not be allowed to operate. It must attain the required, accreditation status first.
Perhaps it is allowed approval by the NJDOE because it is a “non-profit” FOUNDED by the NJEA. ????
NJCTL’s nonprofit status would not matter. An agency designed for teaching credentials, even if of a supplemental sort, should be up to par with NJ colleges and universities. If colleges and universities in NJ must hold regional accreditation, so should NJCTL. Also, if the NJDOE wishes NJCTL to have a solid chance of doing good in the teacher-certification arena, the NJDOE should assist NJCTL to meet required standards that go beyond a diploma-mill relegation. This can be done, but it will take time. Short cuts are unacceptable. Until NJCTL holds genuine, regional accreditation, it should not be allowed to operate in NJ, anymore than any other “national accredited” diploma mill.
Here’s something to consider. NJCTL is akin to what a Tampa gentlemen discovered all too late, regarding the difference between regional and national accreditation. Buyer beware! There’s a reason why states beyond NJ will not take credits in transfer from NCTL!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StG4sR2E5-Q