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CREC Earns National CAEP Accreditation for Educator Preparation Excellence at Initial and Advanced Levels

The Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) is proud to announce it has been granted national accreditation by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) at both the initial-licensure and advanced levels, recognizing CREC’s excellence in educator preparation and commitment to rigorous national standards. The accreditation decision was granted following review by the CAEP Accreditation Council in April 2026.

CAEP is a unified accreditation system intent on raising the performance of all institutions focused on educator preparation. As the only national accreditor for educator preparation recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), CAEP accreditation signifies that CREC meets rigorous standards in educator preparation through evidence-based reviews focused on content and pedagogy, clinical partnerships and practice, candidate recruitment, progression and support, program impact, and quality assurance with continuous improvement. 

Educator preparation providers seeking accreditation must pass peer review of the CAEP standards, which are based on two principles:

1. Solid evidence that the provider’s graduates are competent and caring educators, and

2. Solid evidence that the provider’s educator staff have the capacity to create a culture of evidence and use it to maintain and enhance the quality of the professional programs they offer.

“Earning CAEP accreditation at both the initial-licensure and advanced levels is an extraordinary milestone for CREC and a powerful validation of the innovative, equity-centered work happening across our educator preparation programs,” said Dr. Violet Jiménez Sims, Managing Director of Academic Programming for the Connecticut Teacher Residency Program. “This recognition reflects the dedication of our faculty, staff, district partners, and candidates who are committed to preparing highly effective educators for Connecticut’s schools. It affirms that CREC is not only meeting national standards, but helping lead the future of educator preparation through quality, access, and continuous improvement.”

This national recognition reinforces CREC’s longstanding leadership in addressing Connecticut’s educator workforce needs through innovative programming, including the Connecticut Teacher Residency Program (CT TRP). Managed by CREC in partnership with the RESC Alliance, CT TRP has become a statewide model for diversifying the teacher pipeline, expanding access to the profession, and addressing shortages in critical certification areas, including elementary education, special education, and middle school mathematics.

Since its launch in 2019, CT TRP has prepared aspiring educators through a paid residency model that combines rigorous coursework, classroom experience, and district partnerships to create pathways for non-certified candidates to become highly qualified teachers. The CAEP accreditation designation further strengthens CREC’s and CT TRP’s ability to recruit future educators and assure candidates, school districts, and stakeholders that CREC’s educator preparation programs meet the highest standards of excellence.

Additionally, CREC’s AARC program has earned advanced-level accreditation, reflecting the rigor and quality of its curriculum. The Capitol Region Education Council AARC program stands for Advanced Alternate Route to Certification. It’s designed for already-certified and DSAP-eligible Connecticut teachers who want to add a Comprehensive Special Education endorsement (#165) to their teaching license. AARC focuses on Special education law and procedures, IEP development, evidence-based instruction, inclusive teaching practices, working with students across disability categories, and practical fieldwork with students who have IEPs.

“CAEP accreditation serves as the ultimate stamp of approval from peers and national leaders in educator preparation,” said Dr. Sims. “For current and future candidates, this distinction signals that CREC offers a trusted, high-quality pathway into the profession—one that is grounded in equity, innovation, and measurable impact for the communities we serve.”

CREC’s accreditation status applies specifically to its educator preparation provider (EPP) program at the initial-licensure level (TRP) and at the advanced level (AARC) as outlined in the Accreditation Action Report and reflects CREC’s adherence to CAEP’s standards for accurate public disclosure and continuous accountability. 

“These institutions meet high standards so that their students receive an education that prepares them to succeed in a diverse range of classrooms after they graduate,” said CAEP President Dr. Christopher A. Koch. “Seeking CAEP Accreditation is a significant commitment on the part of an educator preparation provider.” 

This achievement positions CREC among a select group of educator preparation providers nationwide recognized for excellence in preparing the next generation of teachers.

About CAEP: The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (www.CAEPnet.org) advances excellence in educator preparation through evidence-based accreditation that assures quality and supports continuous improvement to strengthen P-12 student learning. More information is available at https://www.caepnet.org