Bethel’s School of Education loses accreditation

McKENZIE, Tenn — An 8-1 vote by the State Board of Education has put the Bethel University School of Education in peril.

State officials believe it did not meet 2 of the 6 national standards, and would not accept their application for accreditation.

The two standards were: (1) Candidate knowledge skills and professional dispositions, and (2) Assessment system standards.

The State Board of Education’s Chairman, Fielding Rolston, released the following statement to WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News:

“The State Board took a close look at the recommendation for denial of Bethel University. We believe that it is imperative to hold a high bar for the review of educator preparation programs. These programs and the teachers they produce will have a significant impact on the students of Tennessee. The Board will continue to look at the data, and the recommendations of the Tennessee Department of Education and take action on any program that has consistent trouble meeting expectations.”

Bethel’s president, Walter Butler, said Bethel will appeal as they work with their nearly 500 education students.

“We don’t agree with the ruling. We don’t agree with the ruling at all,” President Butler said. “We will look at each individual, one at a time and talk to them separately in the coming two to three to four weeks to make sure we have a plan that satisfies their needs.”

Bethel officials said that their School of Education dates back to the university’s earliest days as a place of higher learning.

President Butler said just two months ago they received a letter of approval from the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education, and that over the past 5 years. more than 90 percent of their education majors have passed their license exams.

Bethel students will still be eligible to get their teaching license after completing course work for the next year, even if the appeal fails.

To get re-accredited by the state, it could take 3 years.

To view the entire hearing where the vote took place not to approve Bethel’s accreditation, click here.