Education Program Earns “Full Approval” by State Department for Preparing Future Educators

Curry College announced today that its public-school pathways at the undergraduate and graduate levels in education have again been awarded full approval by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) through 2027. Approved programs are recognized by the state to have met all standards for preparing effective educators in Massachusetts.

“The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education program approval process is a rigorous, outcomes-based system that evaluates educator preparation programs. With the support of our students, faculty, and partners, the approval process allows us to look inward and outward, as we measure the effectiveness of the work we do in school districts across Massachusetts,” says Professor Michelle LeBlanc, Education Department Chair. “While we continuously review student experiences and coursework, the rigor of the program approval process affirms our collective commitment to prepare educators and administrators who are poised to impact student learning from the early days of their careers. I am extremely proud of the faculty and students who demonstrate this commitment daily,”

During the formal review process, which took place during the 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 academic years, DESE collects and reports data, including educator evaluation ratings, program graduates’ impact in producing growth in student learning, employment, and stakeholder survey data. The College’s Education program was evaluated in six domains: organization, partnerships, continuous improvement, candidate, field-based experiences, and instructional. By collecting and analyzing this data in addition to a three-day on-site visit which includes focus groups and interviews with relevant stakeholders, DESE identifies strong programs worthy of recognition and replication, guides program improvement, and also identifies programs that are failing to meet program approval standards.  

“The DESE approval is yet one more way that Curry’s Education graduates demonstrate their high-level knowledge and skill, and as the report characterizes, an ability ‘to be ready on day one to effectively teach and lead in high-needs placements’ in Massachusetts schools,” says Curry College Provost David Szczerbacki. “We look forward to continuing our commitment to excellence and help prepare the next generation of leading educators.”