Haeger addresses state Board of Education

President John Haeger announced to the Arizona board of Education at its monthly meeting this week that NAU is beginning the process of becoming the first teacher preparation program in Arizona to seek accreditation from the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education, or NCATE.

The National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education provides review of a teacher preparation program by an outside entity that focuses on accountability in rigorous standards aimed at preparing all educators.

"We want to recruit the very best teacher candidates," he said, noting that math and science are key areas to focus on. He said "NAU wants to be able to claim that we're the best undergraduate school in Arizona, and in the West. We must be able to prove it."

When given an opportunity for questions or comments, State Superintendent of Education Tom Horne lauded NAU: "My children have been to all three state universities and a couple of ivy leagues, and NAU is the most undergraduate-friendly, and I congratulate you for that."