SPRINGFIELD, Mo., October 25, 2021 — Drury University’s School of Education and Child Development is one of only 26 educator preparation providers to be awarded the prestigious 2021 Frank Murray Leadership Recognition for Continuous Improvement. This recognition is reserved for those who met the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation’s highest accreditation standards, with a review that found zero areas for improvement or other stipulations.
“Frank Murray was passionate about education preparation, a prominent leader in our profession and an advocate for evidence to improve education. The providers that CAEP is recognizing are committed to continuous improvement and preparing their students to succeed in a diverse range of classrooms after they graduate,” said Karen Symms Gallagher Chair of the CAEP Board of Directors. “CAEP Accreditation is a sign of commitment to quality through purposeful use of evidence. The Murray Leadership Recognition recipients should be proud of their accomplishments.”
Drury’s SECD is among 423 providers approved under CAEP’s rigorous, nationally recognized accreditation standards, which ensure excellence in educator preparation programs. Drury earned re-accreditation in spring 2021 and has maintained continuous national accreditation since 1954.
“The School of Education and Child Development faculty and staff are dedicated to providing the best education for our students, and the recognition from this award showcases just that,” says Dean Dr. Natalie Precise. “This accomplishment was a team effort, and all members of the SECD played a vital role.”
About Drury’s School of Education
Drury’s School of Education and Child Development prepares highly effective educators for work in schools throughout the Ozarks and beyond. The school offers multiple teacher education programs to support learners in all stages of life. These include traditional undergraduate options, as well as evening and online tracks offered at Drury’s Springfield and St. Robert campuses.
Initial certification in elementary education and secondary education are both offered at the undergraduate level, with the newly added middle school education certification program. For teachers looking to take their professional skills to the next level, nine Master in Education programs are offered by Drury’s College of Graduate Studies.
Students seeking to streamline their path to a master’s degree can choose the 4+1 Program. With appropriate advising and fulfillment of academic standards, students can complete a bachelor’s degree (typically four years) and fast-track completion of a master’s degree in one additional year. This opportunity allows them to save money and time in the pursuit of a M.Ed. in one of three areas: curriculum and instruction, integrated learning or special education.
For more information about undergraduate and graduate education programs at Drury, visit: drury.edu/education.
About CAEP
The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation advances equity and excellence in educator preparation through evidence-based accreditation that assures quality and supports continuous improvement to strengthen P-12 student learning.
CAEP accreditation serves the dual purposes of accountability and continuous improvement. 423 educator preparation providers in 45 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, have been accredited under the CAEP Standards. The CAEP accreditation process evaluates the performance of providers and focuses particularly on whether candidates will be prepared, by completion, for the challenging responsibilities that educators face in America’s classrooms. Approximately, 700 educator preparation providers participate in the CAEP Accreditation system, including many previously accredited through former standards. CAEP is the only educator preparation provider recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
