Professional associations generally ask at least three readers to evaluate each institutional program against the program standards. Representatives of the appropriate professional association review the program evidence to determine whether standards are met and national recognition should be granted. If the association does not grant national recognition, program faculty may submit a rejoinder with additional documentation for a second review. The unit is defined as the institution, college, school, department, or other administrative body with the responsibility for managing or coordinating all programs offered for the initial and continuing preparation of teachers and other school personnel, regardless of where these programs are administratively housed. Reviews are sometimes conducted separately by individuals who mail their responses to a coordinator who is responsible for compiling the results into a single review.
Some associations bring reviewers together regularly to review reports and prepare responses.
Others do a combination of the two. It takes four to five months to complete the initial review of a program. The report should be prepared by faculty who are directly responsible for the program. For a list of coordinators with email addresses, click on program coordinators . All rights reserved.