WGU Washington's Teacher-Preparation Program Earns Top Honors
Secondary teacher-preparation program named top in the nation; elementary program ranks 16th
SEATTLE, June 25, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- WGU Washington's teacher-preparation program has earned top honors from the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ). In its Teacher Prep Review 2014, the NCTQ ranked the secondary teacher preparation program at Western Governors University, WGU Washington's parent university, as No. 1 of the nation's 2,400 programs. Additionally, WGU's elementary teacher-preparation program was ranked 16th in the nation — one of only 26 elementary programs to be recognized for high quality. WGU was one of only 10 institutions named to the top lists for both elementary and secondary teacher education.
The Review cited WGU's commitment to its students and focus on quality when outlining what sets the program apart. "The top program in the nation for secondary teachers is at Western Governors University, which had nearly perfect scores across the board and whose online training is accessible to any aspiring teacher in the nation," read the report. "Primarily an online program, Western Governors University places staff in every state who carefully oversee the delivery of a strong student teaching experience."
"This recognition confirms what I have observed in my years of working with WGU Washington: Their competency-based approach to teacher education really works," said Dr. Gary Livingston, the former chancellor of the Community Colleges of Spokane and superintendent of the Spokane Public Schools. "The teachers who graduate from WGU Washington have the knowledge, skills, and experience they need to be high-quality, effective teachers the day they step in the classroom."
"As a longtime leader in education, I recognize the tremendous significance of this honor for WGU Washington," said Livingston. "The top ranking validates the university's online, competency-based approach to teacher preparation. WGU Washington focuses on demonstrating mastery of the skills and knowledge effective teachers need, with a strong emphasis on a meaningful student teaching experience, ensuring all graduates are classroom-ready on day one."
WGU Washington was established three years ago in a partnership between the state and nationally recognized Western Governors University, which offers the only competency-based teacher-preparation programs in the U.S. and is the nation's top producer of science and math teachers. WGU Washington offers 30 undergraduate- and graduate-level teacher-education programs serving over 1,500 Washington students in 220 cities. WGU is the first exclusively online university to earn accreditation from the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) for its teacher-preparation programs.
Tuition for WGU Washington's teacher-education programs, which has not increased since the university's founding in 2011, is charged at a flat rate of $2,890 per six-month term. For more information about WGU Washington's teacher education programs, go to http://washington.wgu.edu/education/online_teaching_degree.
WGU Washington was established by the State Legislature in 2011 in partnership with nationally recognized, accredited Western Governors University to expand access to higher education for Washington residents.
The state-endorsed, online university offers more than 50 bachelor's and master's degree programs in Business, Information Technology, Teacher Education, and Health Professions, including Nursing. WGU Washington's competency-based learning model is designed to meet the needs of working adults by providing an affordable, flexible option for earning an accredited, respected college degree. It's non-profit and receives no money from the state.
Degrees are granted under the accreditation of Western Governors University, which is accredited through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Teachers College programs are additionally accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and Nursing programs by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE*).
The university has earned the support of more than 20 leading corporations and foundations. They include institutions such as AT&T, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Lilly Endowment, Hewlett-Packard, Lumina Foundation, Microsoft, Oracle and SunGard Higher Education.
* Western Governors University offers nursing programs that are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 5380, Washington DC 20036, 202-877-6791).
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Contact for media inquiries: | Contact for enrollment information: |
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SOURCE WGU Washington
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