Dr. Scott Jackson Dantley, associate vice president of Institutional Effectiveness and Planning and Professor of Science for Coppin State University, was hand selected by the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO) in conjunction with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) to conduct a feasibility study for 25 Saudi Colleges of Education. He will also lead the science sub-division of the review. The engagement model of quality assurance was created by NAFEO at the request of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
As a noted accreditation evaluator with an extensive background in science education, Dr. Dantley will provide insight into the accreditation process and recommend, if necessary, improvements. He served as key evaluator for the College of Education’s state grant to conduct a review of a new developed Principal’s Institute to produce 25 new principals for the State of Maryland.
The first-time study will gauge the readiness of the Saudi colleges to meet the National Commission of Academic Accreditation and Assessment (NCAAA); local standards, and international standards set by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). The NCAAA standards include “institutional context, quality of learning and teaching, support for student learning, supporting infrastructure and community contributions,” according to the NCAAA website.
“We are really going into unchartered waters,” says Dr. Dantley. “Because NAFEO is beginning to develop partnerships in Middle Eastern countries to provide technical assistance on accreditation issues. This has the potential to open many doors.”
Dr. Dantley will be responsible for advising the NCAAA on the standings of the institutions, define quality for Saudi colleges as well the extent to which they need to prepare or address the standards.
“I will try to capture a true picture of how defines quality education for their graduates and where these institutions stand in terms of meeting their local Saudi accreditation standards,” adds Dr. Dantley.
Dr. Dantley will take a year-long leave of absence. The study begins Sept. 25.
Dr. Dantley joined Coppin State University in 2007 as associate provost and professor of chemistry and has been in his current role since 2008. He served on the Board of Examiners for NCATE in 2007 and the National Science Teacher Association since 2005. Dr. Dantley has taught science and chemistry education for over 12 years.