East Carolina University’s
Conceptual Framework for
Preparing Education
Professionals
Accreditation
“ A process for assessing and enhancing
academic and educational quality
through voluntary peer review.”
Accreditation
The teacher education programs at ECU
are accredited by the National Council
for Accreditation of Teacher Education
(NCATE).
Accreditation
NCATE accreditation informs the public
that an institution has a professional
education unit that has met state,
professional, and institutional standards
of educational quality.
Accreditation
Members of the NCATE Board of
Examiners visit the university to
interview faculty, students, staff,
graduates, and employers, and to
gather information to evaluate the
teacher education programs.
Accreditation
The NCATE standards are the basis for
the evaluation of the programs. They
include:
1. Conceptual Framework
2. Candidate Performance
3. Unit Capacity
Conceptual Framework
A conceptual framework establishes
the shared vision for a unit’s efforts
in preparing educators to work in
P–12 schools. …
Conceptual Framework
… It provides direction for
programs, courses, teaching,
candidate performance,
scholarship, service, and unit
accountability. …
Conceptual Framework
… The conceptual framework is
knowledge-based, articulated,
shared, coherent, consistent with
the unit and/or institutional
mission, and continuously
evaluated. …
Conceptual Framework
… The conceptual framework
provides the bases that describe
the unit’s intellectual philosophy,
which distinguishes graduates of
one institution from those of
another.
COE Mission Statement
The mission of the School of Education is the preparation of
professional educators and allied practitioners, including professionals
in business information systems, counseling, electronic media, and
librarianship. Significant to this mission is a strong commitment to
three important related areas, all of which are realized through
partnerships and other endeavors. These three areas are: the
encouragement and nurturing of professional growth for educators
and allied practitioners at all levels and in all areas of the
educational endeavor; a continuing emphasis on and support for
scholarship and research/creative activity; and service in all areas of
professional education. Critical to such commitment is the promotion
of effective teaching; staff participation in the improvement of
schools; and, in concert with other state agencies, the development
and creation of educational policy for North Carolina.
Teacher Education Mission
Statement
The mission of Teacher Education is to prepare and
develop professionals through partnership with the
educational community. Teacher Education is
committed to the vision of preparing education and
human services professionals who are academically and
technically proficient; knowledgeable, skilled, and
reflective in their practice; committed to the
empowerment of all people to develop their full
potential; and committed to the role of public
education in a democratic society.
ECU’s
Conceptual
Framework
Emphasizes that
the preparation of
Education
Professionals is
the responsibility
of the entire
university - not
just the College
of Education or
The Office of
Teacher
Education
Core/Center
“All” includes:
candidates,
K-12 students,
teachers,
administrators,
other school
personnel
Aligns with the
Teacher Education
Mission Statement
- Primary goal of
all of our efforts in
education.
Puzzle Pieces
Includes the
endeavors of the
entire unit; our
efforts influence
more than just
preparation.
Interlocking
pieces reflect
interconnected
nature of the
activities.
Background
“Reflective
Education
Professional”
includes ALL
education
professionals Teachers, Guidance
Counselors, Social
Workers, School
Psychologists,
Principals, etc.
 All of our efforts
are built on this
foundation.
Teacher
Education Theme:
Can only achieve
excellence, and
empower all
learners, through
partnership with
the schools and
community.
Outer Ring:
Depicts current
areas of special
emphasis in the
unit.
Flexible/fluid
element of the
framework that
can change
without altering
the entire
framework.
Will reflect the
changing needs
of our learners.
Strategy for
remembering the
Conceptual Framework:
1. ECU strives to prepare reflective education
professionals,
2. who are capable of empowering all learners,
3. in all educational endeavors,
4. and achieving excellence through partnership.
1. I strive to be a reflective education professional
2. who empowers all learners,
3. in all educational endeavors,
4. and achieves excellence through partnership.