The California State University (CSU) is one of four leading higher education systems selected by the National Association of System Heads (NASH) to participate in Scaling Instructional Excellence for Student Success. This strategic initiative focused on improving quality instruction, and ultimately student success, through intentional, high-quality professional development for faculty.
Approximately 540 faculty from eight CSU campuses will be invited to enroll in the Association of College and University Educators' (ACUE) faculty development programs in evidence-based teaching practices to increase student achievement and close equity gaps. Additionally, City University of New York, The Texas A&M System and the University of Missouri System will prepare a total of 980 faculty. Recognizing the impact of effective teaching on students' academic success, this initiative is estimated to benefit nearly 300,000 students annually.
Faculty who complete the program will be awarded ACUE's Certificate in Effective College Instruction that is recognized and endorsed by the American Council on Education (ACE). Reflecting higher education's extraordinary transition to online instruction amid the coronavirus pandemic, many of the faculty will also complete ACUE's course in Effective Online Teaching. This program addresses a comprehensive set of practices native to the online environment. Across the thousands of faculty who have been prepared and credentialed through ACUE, 40 percent of them have reported teaching some or all of their courses online. Faculty will begin the ACUE program in the fall.
“The California State University is pleased to participate in ACUE's Scaling Instructional Excellence for Student Success program," said CSU Chancellor Timothy P. White. “Its mission to advance student achievement and eliminate equity gaps aligns with and complements the CSU's flagship student success effort, Graduation Initiative 2025. Our skilled and dedicated faculty look forward to sharing proven best practices and to enhancing their own teaching in collaboration with ACUE and with colleagues from these outstanding educational systems—all for the benefit of students from all walks of life, in California and across the nation."
Fostering student success and eliminating persistent equity gaps is a core component of Graduation Initiative 2025, CSU's university-wide plan to increase graduation rates, eliminate equity gaps in degree completion and meet California's workforce needs.
Campuses selected to participate in the ACUE program are in the north, south, central coast and central valley and students who attend these universities represent the diversity of students served by the CSU:
- California State University Channel Islands
- California State University, Dominguez Hills
- California State University, East Bay
- California State University, Fresno
- California State University, Northridge
- San Francisco State University
- California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
- California State University, Stanislaus
Although the campuses will participate as a cohort, four programs are funded by a competitive grant from NASH and four are supported by CSU's Office of the Chancellor.
“This initiative is aligned with NASH's focus on supporting transformative, collective strategies that work for students," said Rebecca Martin, executive director of NASH. “We know quality learning experiences and strong relationships with faculty, whether in person or online, are a major element of student success. This partnership with ACUE will help build a strong culture of quality teaching that will pay dividends for thousands of students beyond this school year."
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About the California State University
The California State University is the largest system of four-year higher education in the country, with 23 campuses, 53,000 faculty and staff and 482,000 students. Half of the CSU's students transfer from California community colleges. Created in 1960, the mission of the CSU is to provide high-quality, affordable education to meet the ever-changing needs of California. With its commitment to quality, opportunity, and student success, the CSU is renowned for superb teaching, innovative research and for producing job-ready graduates. Each year, the CSU awards more than 127,000 degrees. One in every 20 Americans holding a college degree is a graduate of the CSU and our alumni are 3.8 million strong. Connect with and learn more about the CSU in the CSU NewsCenter.
About NASH
The National Association of System Heads (NASH) is the association of the chief executives of 40 colleges and university systems of public higher education in the United States. Formed in 1979 for the purpose of seeking improvement in the organization and governance of public higher education systems, NASH serves as a forum for the exchange of views and information among its members and on leveraging the power of systems to advance innovation and change in public higher education.
About ACUE
The Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) is on a mission to ensure student success through quality instruction. In partnership with colleges, universities, higher education systems and associations, ACUE prepares and credentials faculty in the evidence-based teaching practices that improve student achievement and close equity gaps. Numerous and independently validated efficacy studies confirm that students are more engaged, learn more, and complete courses in greater numbers—more equitably with their peers—when taught by ACUE-credentialed faculty. ACUE's online, cohort-based credentialing programs are delivered through institutional partnerships and open enrollment courses endorsed by the American Council on Education. To learn more, visit https://acue.org/.