Dean James J. Ritchie of the UB School of Education and Human Resources, said the state approvals are a recognition of the quality of this program. "A lot of people at UB have worked hard for this," he said.

Universities President Neil A. Salonen said the approvals are an affirmation of the "commitment UB has made to building an academic program recognized for its excellence."

The state approvals allow UB to certify students to teach subjects at various grade levels. They also mark a major turnaround for the school of education that, prior to Ritchie’s appointment in 1998, was in danger of losing approvals for its teacher training programs.

The state gave five-year approvals of UB’s secondary and elementary programs, authorizing them through 2006. The state’s staff report found that in the secondary and elementary programs and in special subject areas, the program fully met the 49 standards. Five of those standards were met "with distinction," the report said.

The middle grade (grades 4-7) subject certification and the intermediate school administration programs were given two-year authorizations, through 2003. The state raised some concerns about class scheduling and record-keeping. Ritchie said those concerns have been addressed.

The state also gave UB approval for preparation programs for teaching general science and for training reading and language arts consultants.

The UB graduate school of education has more than 400 students in its programs, Ritchie said. Its courses are held at the Bridgeport campus and at satellite UB facilities in Stamford, Waterbury and North Haven.