Graduates of UAA education program that lost accreditation will still get 'approved' degrees

Students graduating this spring and summer from the University of Alaska Anchorage’s School of Education will still be considered graduates from a “state-approved program,” despite the recent loss of national accreditation, the state board of education decided in a unanimous vote Monday.

Typically, the teaching degree programs would need to be accredited for the state to approve them. State approval carries considerable weight for graduates’ future employment and teacher certification in other states, according to state education officials.

“It’s unfortunate that we’re in the situation we're in, but at this point we just have to make sure it never happens again and we move education forward,” said James Fields, chair of the Alaska State Board of Education and Early Development.

The board’s decision on Monday also solidifies Alaska Education Commissioner Michael Johnson’s announcement last month that UAA’s School of Education could still recommend its spring and summer 2019 graduates for teaching licenses. UAA has 40 students graduating from the affected programs in the spring and summer. Another 15 have already transferred out, according to a UAA spokeswoman.

Read more: https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/education/2019/02/05/spring-summer-graduates-of-uaas-education-program-will-still-get-their-degrees-from-a-state-approved-program-despite-accreditation-loss/