FARMINGTON – The Unit Accreditation Board of the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education recently approved continuing accreditation for the University of Maine at Farmington’s College of Education, Health and Rehabilitation. The U.S. Department of Education recognizes the board as the professional accrediting body for schools, departments and colleges of education.

Onsite visits, document reviews and accreditation decisions are all carried out by professionals from the education community, including teachers, school specialists and teacher educators, as well as members of the public and education policymakers.

UMF has long been a board-accredited institution, receiving provisional accreditation in 1961 and receiving full accreditation in 1966. UMF is one of only three board-accredited institutions in Maine and one of only a six in northern New England. The next board visit at UMF will be in 2007.

In his letter of acknowledgment to UMF, board president Arthur Wise said, “Let me take this opportunity to congratulate you and your professional education unit for displaying the high quality necessary to be granted national accreditation. In addition, we would like to express appreciation for the cooperation received from the faculty, staff and administration of your institution.”

Dean of the UMF College of Education, Health and Rehabilitation Kathy Yardley said. “The NCATE team was very complimentary about our students’ understanding of the Maine Learning Results and the UMF Standards, as well as the positive relationships that exist between the University of Maine at Farmington and mentor teachers, and the strength of our faculty. Going through the NCATE process reinforced our belief that UMF graduates will be leaders in the field as caring teachers, competent educators and confident professionals,” said Yardley.

For more information, visit www.umf.maine.edu/colledu or call UMF College of Education, Health and Rehabilitation, at 207-778-7153.