Any examination that involves moderate to high stakes implications for examinees should be psychometrically sound and legally defensible. Currently, there are two broad and competing families of test theories that are used to score examination data. The majority of instructors outside the high-stakes testing arena rely on classical test theory…

State program approval could significantly influence the redesign of teacher education programs because of its legal authority. This paper reviews the functions of state program approval, and compares these processes with those of national voluntary accreditation organizations, such as the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.…

Several problems result from irresponsible claims of accreditation by non-traditional schools of education and the laxity with which some states license teachers. A model that features accreditation, licensing, and performance evaluation could create a triangle of checks and balances that would help to solve many of these problems. A national…