ELLENSBURG, Wash. -- Central Washington University has met all requirements for continuing accreditation.

The requirements were set forth by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), which had a team visit the campus in October. The NCATE United Accreditation Board will review the report from the visit in April. 

To be accredited, institutions must meet six standards in candidate knowledge and skills, assessment system and unit evaluation, field experiences and clinical practice, diversity, faculty qualifications and unit governance and resources.

The agency assists universities and colleges in evaluating educational programs, which in turn helps programs ensure future teachers are receiving the preparation and curriculum they need to be successful in the classroom. A regular team visit is scheduled once every seven years.

There are now more than 600 colleges in the nation accredited through NCATE, with 100 more seeking it. Accreditation assures the public that colleges and universities operate at a high level of quality and integrity.

-- Erin Snelgrove