• Teacher candidates must have in-depth knowledge of the subject matter that they plan to teach as well as the skills necessary to convey it so that students learn.
• The university must carefully assess this knowledge and skill to determine that candidates may graduate.
• The institution must have partnerships with P-12 schools that enable candidates to develop the skills necessary to help students learn.
• Candidates must be prepared to understand and work with diverse student populations.
• College and university faculty must model effective teaching practices.
• The School of Education must have the resources, including information technology resources, necessary to prepare candidates to meet new standards.

Meeting NCATE accreditation standards also helps institutions prepare teachers for new, more rigorous licensing standards in many states. NCATE accreditation standards incorporate the model state licensing principles developed by a task force of the Council of Chief State School Officers.

The U.S. Department of Education recognizes NCATE as a specialized accrediting body for schools, colleges and departments of education. NCATE is composed of more than 30 professional and policymaker organizations representing millions of Americans committed to quality teaching. It was founded in 1954 by the teaching profession and the states.