PFW School of Education earns A+ national rating and national accreditation for excellence in teacher preparation

Purdue University Fort Wayne's School of Education has earned two significant national distinctions, reinforcing its position as northeast Indiana's premier public institution for preparing the next generation of educators.

The National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) has awarded Purdue Fort Wayne an A+ rating for its teacher preparation programs in literacy instruction, placing the university among the nation's top-performing institutions in preparing future educators to teach reading effectively. The School of Education is also prominently featured in NCTQ's newly released Indiana case study, which highlights Purdue Fort Wayne's commitment to continuous improvement and excellence in educator preparation.

The recognition comes as NCTQ released its national evaluation of teacher preparation programs and their alignment with evidence-based literacy instruction and the science of reading.

"This recognition reflects the dedication of our faculty and staff to preparing highly effective teachers who are ready to make an immediate impact in classrooms across Indiana and beyond," said Isabel Nuñez, Ph.D., dean of the School of Education. "Our School of Education has embraced continuous improvement, and it is gratifying to see those efforts recognized at the national level."

Adding to the momentum, the School of Education recently earned accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), the nation's leading accrediting body for educator preparation programs. CAEP accreditation is considered the gold standard in educator preparation and affirms that Purdue Fort Wayne meets rigorous national standards for preparing future teachers and educational leaders.

"These accomplishments reflect years of intentional work to strengthen our programs, align our curriculum with best practices, and ensure our graduates are prepared to succeed from day one in the classroom," said Brad E. Oliver, Ed.D., clinical professor of educational leadership and director of accreditation and strategic initiatives. "The A+ rating from NCTQ and CAEP accreditation validate the quality of the preparation our students receive and demonstrate our commitment to continuous improvement and educational excellence."

"Being part of the accreditation process for PFW was an honor," said Joe Brown, Ph.D., chief academic officer at Fort Wayne Community Schools. "All we had to do was tell the story about Dr. Nunez and her amazing team. The partnership with FWCS and PFW is becoming a model teacher preparation program. The college students benefit by starting their embedded coursework in our buildings their freshman year which allows for flexible employment options. Our FWCS students benefit by having additional caring adults invested in their learning. Our district is benefiting by building a strong teacher pipeline with graduates that are passionate about our students and their achievement."

Together, these recognitions underscore Purdue Fort Wayne's vital role in developing the educational workforce that powers northeast Indiana's schools, communities, and economy.

As the region's premier public university, Purdue Fort Wayne prepares hundreds of educators who serve in classrooms across northeast Indiana and beyond. Those teachers play a critical role in developing the future workforce, supporting student success, and strengthening the economic vitality of the region. By preparing highly qualified educators, Purdue Fort Wayne helps ensure that local school districts have the talent needed to educate future generations of workers, innovators, entrepreneurs, and community leaders.

"The strength of our region depends on the strength of our schools," Nuñez said. "Every teacher we prepare has the opportunity to influence hundreds, if not thousands, of students throughout their career. By investing in educator preparation, Purdue Fort Wayne is investing in the future workforce, economic prosperity, and quality of life throughout northeast Indiana."

Through innovative coursework, extensive clinical experiences, and strong partnerships with school districts across the region, Purdue Fort Wayne continues to address critical workforce needs while preparing educators who are ready to lead and inspire in today's classrooms.

These latest recognitions further demonstrate Purdue Fort Wayne's commitment to academic excellence, workforce development, and serving as a driving force for educational and economic advancement throughout northeast Indiana.