(FRANKFORT, KY) – Kentucky’s Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB) approved a temporary authorization for Simmons College to operate an educator preparation program (EPP) during its meeting on Aug. 20.
The recommendation was presented by Melissa Diebel, an academic program manager for the Division of Educator Preparation and Certification in the Kentucky Department of Education’s (KDE’s) Office of Educator Licensure and Effectiveness.
“The temporary authorization is for two years and will allow the institution to continue the process by pursuing full accreditation,” said Diebel.
Diebel said an EPSB team conducted a technical evaluation site visit of the EPP on March 26, 2024, at Simmons College. Those who visited the site were tasked with verifying the self-study evidence and submitting a report of findings. She said those evaluations were filled with the understanding that the institution has a clear vision for empowering educators.
“Their findings state that the establishment and development of the educator preparation program at Simmons College exemplifies the institution’s dedication to serving its community and fostering positive change in society,” said Diebel.
16 KAR 5:010 outlines the standards for accreditation of EPPs and approval of programs. Section three of this regulation identifies the developmental process for new educator preparation institutions. Lucian Yates III, the vice president of institutional affairs for Simmons College, said they are looking forward to the impact they will make in education.
“What we did today is a culmination of about two years of work establishing an education preparation program,” said Yates. “Simmons College is an institution that started as a teacher institution but because of something in history, we lost that. And we are now regaining our role in teacher education.”
Back in August of 2022, EPSB accepted a submission from Simmons College notifying the board of its intent to seek approval to develop an initial certification EPP for elementary and grades P-5.
“I just appreciate all the help that we have gotten from the state. This means a lot to us and we’re just happy,” Yates said.
Simmons College of Kentucky began in 1879 with the General Association of Baptists in Kentucky, primarily as a liberal arts training institute to train recently-emancipated enslaved people.
This institute is dedicated to educating people through vital academic and professional programs to become productive citizens and agents to change society. The institution is one of two Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in Kentucky.
“This two-year temporary authorization will give us time to collect data and become accredited by one of the accredited bodies. We are already in the process of doing what we need to be doing to get that certification,” said Yates.
Yates said through this EPP they will train, prepare and certify educators so they are ready before they step into their first classroom.
“One of the things we are going to use is artificial intelligence (AI) to help our teachers and educators, just like they use mannequins in nursing,” said Yates. “We are going to do that with our candidates before they get in the classroom.”
In addition to using AI, Yates said the institution plans to require candidates to pass an ethics training program designed for educators.
“I am tired of seeing teachers getting in trouble professionally, so all of our candidates are going to have to pass this training over the four years before they can student teach,” said Yates. “They will have to pass the certifications.”
Yates said this has been a long time coming and with all their hard work, this approval means a lot to him along with the current president of the institution, Kevin W. Cosby.
“It means a lot to us. Our president has been pushing for this program for a long time,” Yates said.
During the meeting, EPSB members congratulated Simmons College on this temporary approval and Diebel said they look forward to the impact they will make with future educators.
“There are a lot of steps in the process and they did an amazing job,” said Diebel, “so we are very excited for them.”
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