State board reauthorizes Regis University’s Division of Education

The State Board of Education has reauthorized Regis University’s educator preparation programs following a successful joint site visit from the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) and the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE).

The CDE report praised Regis’ innovative and intentional approach to programing, noted faculty’s personal commitment to students and praised the program’s “family feel.” The student success coaching and advising program garnered praise, and the University’s integration of the Jesuit principle of cura personalis (care of the whole person) in its curricula was lauded.

The CDE report noted Regis students lived the University’s mission of striving to build a more just and humane world, and they said the University’s focus on social justice was apparent across its many programs.

Two programs, elementary and special education, were conditionally approved for the 2021-22 school year. The University is adapting its instruction on teaching reading for a CDE review this fall at which time the two licensure programs are expected to be reauthorized.

“Our recent program review was a successful and positive experience, and we welcome the CDE’s recommendations,” said Heidi Barker, Ph.D., associate dean of the Division of Education. “We work closely with the CDE to ensure that all strategies and curricula align with the science of reading, structured literacy practices and state legislation.”