We are thrilled to share a major update regarding Michigan’s premier alternative route to PK-12 administrator certification. The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) site visit team has officially concluded their formal, multi-day evaluation of MASSP’s Path to Leadership (PTL) program.
Surviving a national accreditation site visit is no small feat, and we are incredibly proud of how our program, faculty, and candidates shone under the microscope.
Here is a breakdown of where we stand, what the reviewers had to say, and what comes next on our journey to formal CAEP accreditation.
Quick Highlights From the Visit
The CAEP site review was an intense, comprehensive deep dive into everything that makes PTL tick. During the visit, the national review team:
- Conducted dozens of interviews with current PTL candidates, program alumni, faculty, and the K-12 school principals and superintendents who employ our graduates.
- Audited our asynchronous 12-month curriculum, instructional coaching models, and field experience requirements.
- Cross-examined our quality assurance systems to ensure our program is consistently driving measurable, positive impacts on school leadership.
Preliminary Feedback: What the Reviewers Said
While we have to wait for the official, finalized decision, the review team’s preliminary exit briefing left us with plenty to celebrate. The team specifically commended:
- Real-World Relevance: Our curriculum—built by principals, for principals—was highly praised for its immediate, practical application to the day-to-day realities of school building leadership.
- Robust Support Infrastructure: Reviewers highlighted the high caliber of our cohort model and the dedicated mentorship that guides candidates seamlessly from enrollment to certification.
- Data-Driven Growth: They recognized PTL’s strong commitment to continuous improvement, noting how effectively we track and use candidate data to refine our modules.
Where Do We Stand
National accreditation is a meticulous process, and the site visit was the most critical hurdle. We are now entering the final phases of the CAEP accreditation cycle:
[ Site Visit Completed ] ──> [ Draft Report & Review ] ──> [ Final Council Decision ]
- The Draft Report: The CAEP Review Team compiled and sent us their official Draft Site Visit Report. Our leadership team reviewed this document to ensure factual accuracy.
- Institutional Response: The CAEP review team noted a few minor Areas for Improvement (AFIs), so PTL submitted a formal response outlining our agreement and how we will address them, or our strong position that they be removed.
- The Final Decision: The CAEP Accreditation Council will formally meet during their next cycle to review the complete portfolio and issue our official national accreditation status.
What This Means for PTL Candidates & Alumni
Rest assured, the PTL program remains fully approved by the Michigan Department of Education (MDE), and your pathway to certification is completely secure. Pursuing national CAEP accreditation is our way of validating what we already know: that PTL provides a world-class, affordable, and incredibly rigorous preparation program for the next generation of Michigan school leaders.
A Huge Thank You! > This milestone would not have been possible without the hard work of our PTL Advisory Team, our phenomenal instructors, and the candidates and alumni who took the time to speak with the review team. Thank you for representing MASSP and PTL so exceptionally well!
Stay tuned to this page for further updates as we receive the final verdict from the CAEP Accreditation Council.