Award Levels
NACTE grants one of four accreditation levels based on how fully a program meets national standards.
W
Highest Recognition
Awarded to programs that fully meet or exceed all national accreditation standards, demonstrating exemplary faculty, facilities, curriculum, and outcomes.
X
Excellent
Awarded to programs that substantially meet national standards with only minor, non-critical gaps identified during review.
Y
Good Standing
Awarded to programs that meet the core national standards but have identified areas requiring improvement before the next review cycle.
Z
Entry Level
Awarded to programs that meet minimum acceptable standards, typically with a shorter validity period and a requirement to demonstrate improvement at re-accreditation.
Benchmarks
Levels build on one another — Z is the entry-level baseline, and each level above it must meet everything below it plus the additional requirements listed for that level.
Prerequisites Documents
- Academic council minutes approving the teacher education program (universities/DAIs)
- Valid affiliation letter from the parent university (affiliated colleges)
- HEC NOC required for MS/M.Phil/Ph.D programs
Prerequisites Indicators
- 1.1.1Curriculum development process includes objectives of the program in line with vision and mission of the institute. (not applicable to affiliated colleges)
- 1.1.2Program objectives and courses / course outlines are aligned with knowledge, skills and dispositions desired in NPSTs in Pakistan. (not applicable to affiliated colleges)
- 1.1.3The curriculum is approved by the statutory bodies. (not applicable to affiliated colleges)
- 1.2.1The curriculum document includes duration of the program (number of years, semesters and credit hours) and course outlines, and meets the minimum requirements of the Higher Education Commission. (not applicable to affiliated colleges)
- 2.1.2Prospective teachers are provided with teaching practice manuals and lesson planners (template and duration of lesson plan, printed register / diary, mechanism and guidance for planning lessons). (not applicable to MS/M.Phil/Ph.D)
- 4.1.1The assessment policy for students' progression is documented and disseminated (midterm, assignments, quiz, final, with proper weightage).
- 5.1.3There are an adequate number of classrooms to accommodate the number of courses being offered (number, size, furniture, heating / cooling, ventilation, equipment).
Requisite Indicators (Other than Prerequisites)
Additional Prerequisites (beyond Level Z)
- 1.2.3Curriculum outlines integrate ICT and suggest practical / hands-on activities, and are compatible with the stipulated time of the semester. (not applicable to affiliated colleges)
- 1.2.4The curriculum or its course outlines provide lists of web sites and recommended books of recent editions for each course. (not applicable to affiliated colleges)
- 3.1.1There is adequate compliance with the admission policy (student-teacher ratio and meeting pre-requisites) approved by the statutory body.
- 3.2.2Semester-wise assessment ensures assessment of knowledge, disposition and skills of prospective teachers (question papers of midterm, final term and sessional activities are aligned with NPSTs).
- 4.1.4Quality improvement plans are developed, implemented and monitored.
- 5.1.1The institution is housed in a purpose-built independent building located in a hazard-free and eco-friendly environment, and the environment is conducive, open and harmonious.
- 5.3.1The library is strategically located to be accessible to all teacher educators and prospective teachers.
- 6.2.2Appropriate / adequate number of faculty members are recruited.
- 6.2.3There is evidence for the relevance of faculty members' recruitment w.r.t. qualification and specializations.
Requisite Indicators (Other than Prerequisites)
Additional Prerequisites (beyond Levels Z and Y)
- 4.2.1Alignment of policy and assessment practices is evident.
- 5.1.5Classrooms and laboratories are equipped with the facilities and equipment required for the courses hosted there.
- 6.1.6The annual calendar of the programme is available to all stakeholders.
- 6.2.1There is a formal appointment and placement policy for teacher educators.
- 6.2.4The programme implements an appropriate workload policy for different ranks including teaching, supervision of teaching practice and research.
- 6.2.5There is a mechanism for monitoring knowledge, skills, dispositions and performance of teacher educators.
- 7.1.1There are notified guidelines for planning and conduct of students' research (seeking consent by supervisor, allocation / approval of supervisor and topics, approval of external, time management and submission). (applicable for MS/M.Phil/Ph.D)
- 7.2.1Faculty is engaged and encouraged in conducting and dissemination of research.
Requisite Indicators (Other than Prerequisites)
Additional Prerequisites (beyond Levels Z, Y and X)
- 5.3.4The library comprises various types of information sources (print, non-print, electronic and digital materials).
- 6.2.6There is a mechanism for professional development of teacher educators and support staff.
- 7.1.2The system has a formal mechanism for approving research topics by concerned bodies, giving preference to addressing local and national issues of teacher education in particular and education in general. (applicable for MS/M.Phil/Ph.D)
- 7.1.8Incentives for conducting research, publication and conference presentation are there.
- 7.3.1Evidence for use of research findings in curriculum revision.
- 7.3.2Evidence for use of research findings for teaching methodologies.
- 8.1.1The programme has developed well thought out projects based on social needs and educational issues of the community.
Requisite Indicators (Other than Prerequisites)
Validity Period
Each awarded level carries a validity date after which the program must undergo re-accreditation to retain its recognized status. The valid-until date is recorded against the program and shown on the Accredited Programs listing.
Re-accreditation
Institutions should apply for re-accreditation before their program's validity date expires. Re-accreditation is evaluated at the same fee rates as Formal Accreditation and follows the same review process — desk analysis followed by an on-site visit.