The Council for the Accreditation of Education Preparation, or CAEP, "monitors how the Education Preparation Provider publicly reports candidate performance data and other consumer information on its website." (Policy 6.01; p.25, CAEP Accreditation Policy)
In April 2020, the Council for the Accreditation of Education Preparation (CAEP) granted Accreditation at the initial and advanced levels to Western Michigan University until spring 2028. Accreditation documents are linked below.
CAEP response to request for modification of schedule
WMU accreditation letter and additional information
WMU accreditation action report
List of CAEP accredited programs
CAEP Accountability Measures
WMU's Institutional Score Report from the Michigan Department of Education
The Michigan Department of Education finalized the institutional score report methodology and calculations in 2022 and, therefore, we have only included the 2023 report. The MDE Methodology Report Manual is attached to WMU's Score Report. WMU again has a Satisfactory Status.
Western Michigan University 2023 Annual Performance Score
Measure 1 (Initial Programs): Completer effectiveness (R4.1)
a. Completer impact in contributing to P-12 student-learning growth
Data indicates that WMU prepared pre-service (intern) teachers positively impact P-12 student learning and development. MDE Annual Performance Score data indicated that WMU prepared teachers positively impacted student learning.
- Intern teacher impact on P-12 student learning and development
- Performance score data on the impact of WMU prepared teachers on P-12 student learning.
b. Completer effectiveness in applying professional knowledge, skills, and dispositions
WMU prepared teachers are consistently rated Highly Effective or Effective by their principals during their first three years of teaching.
- Effectiveness Ratings for WMU completers, 2016-2022
- Administrators' assessment of WMU first-year teachers' professional knowledge, skills, and dispositions
Measure 2 (Initial and Advanced): Satisfaction of employers and stakeholder involvement (R4.2, R5.3, RA4.1)
Satisfaction of employers
Employers are very satisfied with WMU prepared teachers (initial programs) and administrators (advanced programs).
- Administrator survey data on first-year teachers (initial programs)
- MDE administrator effectiveness data, 2016-2022 (advanced program)
Stakeholder involvement
The programs highlighted below are examples of collaborations between WMU and our stakeholders
Measure 3 (Initial and Advanced): Candidate competency at completion (R3.3, RA3.4)
WMU program completers demonstrate competency through evaluation in their final internship; Michigan Department of Education competency survey data from cooperating teachers, clinical supervisors, and teacher candidates; and passing scores on the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (initial and advanced level).
- Michigan Test for Teacher Certification 3-year cumulative pass rates (initial and advanced programs)
- Final Internship Evaluation data (initial programs)
- Survey data from cooperating teachers, clinical supervisors, and teacher candidates (initial programs)
- Title II website
- 2023 Title II report
- 2022 Title II report
- 2021 Title II report
- 2020 Title II report
- 2019 Title II report
Measure 4 (Initial and Advanced): Ability of completers to be hired in education positions for which they have prepared
WMU education program graduates find jobs they like in their areas of preparation.