The Sterling Teacher Education Program (STEP) at Sterling College is hosting an accreditation visit by the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) from April 26 - April 28, 2020.  Interested parties are invited to submit third-party comments to Nancy Hicks, STEP Administrative Assistant and Licensure Officer.

Comments must address substantive matters related to the quality of professional education programs offered, and should specify the respondent's relationship, if any, to the institution (i.e., graduate, present or former faculty member, employer of graduates). Copies of all correspondence received will be sent to STEP for comment prior to the review. No anonymous testimony will be considered.

We invite you to submit written testimony to:

Nancy Hicks  
Sterling College 
125 W. Cooper Street 
Sterling, Kansas 67579

Or by email to: nhicks@sterling.edu 

STEP will accept written comments from stakeholders up to six (6) weeks before the site visit (Deadline: March  9, 2020). Such comments must be based on the core tenets of KSDE accreditation standards of excellence, which recognize that:

In KSDE's performance-based system, accreditation is based on evidence that demonstrates that teacher candidates know the subject matter and can teach it effectively so that students learn. In the KSDE system, Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs) must prove that candidates can connect theory to practice and be effective in an actual P-12 classroom.

A professional education provider that is accredited by KSDE is expected to be involved in ongoing planning and evaluation; engaged in continuous assessment and development; ensure that faculty and programs reflect new knowledge, practice, and technologies; and be involved in continuous development in response to the evolving world of education and educational reform.

As part of the accreditation process, the Department of Education has completed a self-study report.  You are invited to review the report and the supporting evidence.