WPC Pledges to Work with TSPC on Licensure

JULY 22, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Warner Pacific College leaders to work with state Commission regarding questions over student licensure

Portland, Ore. – Officials from Warner Pacific College have pledged to reach a positive resolution with the Oregon Teachers Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) after the commission approved a motion to deny Warner Pacific’s ability to recommend students for teaching licensure. The 8 – 5 decision will not take immediate effect, pending an appeal process.

The commission accepted the recommendation by the TSPC Executive Director due to the college’s failure to provide specific data related to licensing requirements in a timely fashion. When college leaders became aware of the Commission’s concerns, they took immediate action to provide the data requested.

The Executive Director of the TSPC noted in a hearing of commission members that if the college works diligently and in a timely fashion to correct ongoing problems with the state, the college’s ability to recommend graduates for licensure will not be an issue.

“We are pleased that the state is willing to work with us to ensure that our students are not impacted by these issues,” said the President of Warner Pacific College, Dr. Andrea P. Cook. “We have already corrected a number of the state’s concerns and are committed to comply with all the standards of the TSPC. We look forward to working with the Executive Director and the Commission members to resolve this matter.”

Today’s decision did not affect the College’s regional accreditation with the Northwest Commission of Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Students currently enrolled at WPC will still be able to graduate.

“The College invited an external review committee to audit our program this past year and their findings demonstrate that our students are receiving a quality education," President Cook added. "Now we need to demonstrate that quality by providing the data that is requested. We can and will exceed the standards of expectation given to us by the state in an expedient fashion.”

Media Contact:
Lani E. Faith
Executive Director of Marketing | College Relations
Warner Pacific College
2219 SE 68th Ave.
Portland, OR 97215
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Warner Pacific College is a Christ-centered liberal arts college located in the heart of Portland, Oregon that is dedicated to providing a diverse student body of 1,500 students an education that prepares them for the spiritual, moral, social, vocational and technological challenges of the 21st century.