CAS in Educational Leadership certificate program earns full accreditation
The Graduate School of Education’s Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in Educational Leadership earned full national accreditation on Oct. 21, 2013, following an extensive review process. In addition to a two-day site visit in April 2013, by Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC) auditors, the review required analysis of five years of data on CAS graduates’ knowledge, skills and accomplishments. The process also included examination in October 2013 by two panels of experts representing the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
As a result of this comprehensive, multi-year assessment process, full national accreditation for seven years, with no weaknesses, stipulations or contingencies – the best possible outcome – was granted. “Only 30 percent of the programs reviewed by TEAC achieve this distinction,” said Graduate School of Education Dean S.G. Grant.
Marilyn Tallerico, CAS program coordinator, led the faculty team involved in the accreditation review. “This was a collective effort involving the dean, the University’s Office of Institutional Research and Educational Leadership faculty members Tom O’Brien, Larry Stedman, Carol Eaton, Judy Kugelmass and Albert Penna,” said Tallerico. Numerous CAS students, alumni, intern mentors and area K-12 administrators also provided feedback to the accreditation auditors.
Launched in 2007, the CAS in Educational Leadership is one of the younger programs in the Graduate School of Education and was developed to advance the University’s strategic goal of outreach and engagement in service to the region and state and to grow graduate enrollment by complementing the GSE’s many K-12 teacher preparation programs. The CAS program also extends its impact to administrator preparation, responding to the need expressed by 15 area school superintendents concerned with improving the quality of candidates for leadership vacancies in their districts.
The CAS in Educational Leadership prepares educational leaders to serve in K-12 schools and districts. Graduates are eligible to earn two types of administrative credentials awarded by the New York State Education Department: School Building Leader and School District Leader. These credentials are required to obtain positions as principals or superintendents. Most graduates start their leadership careers in entry-level roles such as curriculum coordinators, staff developers, program directors and assistant principals.
The CAS program admits an average of nine new students each year. Since its inception, 34 students have graduated: 19 have attained administrative leadership positions and four have gone on to pursue studies in the GSE doctoral program. In any given semester, about 18 part-time CAS students are registered for courses.
Most CAS students are employed full time as teachers or other education professionals in schools within a 70-mile radius of Binghamton University. They complete the CAS as part-time, self-funded graduate students who take courses in the evenings and summers. Most choose the program’s “working track,” registering for one course at a time and completing the program in two years. Some double up on courses each semester to complete an “accelerated track” that takes as few as 15 months.