Learning how to learn: The state of subject matters taught in school is in constant flux, as are the expectations of what should be taught in the public schools. However, because teachers must be ready to teach content in their fields, even content about which they are initially quite unfamiliar, it is important that all teacher candidates learn how to acquire new knowledge and new understanding on their own. Teacher education programs must pay attention to metacognitive knowledge that gives teacher candidates insights into their own learning practices.

Liberal education: As part of Quality Principle I, TEAC requires that the programs it accredits provide evidence that their graduates have the cross-cutting skills and habits of mind that come from liberal edu-cation: learning how to learn, multicultural perspectives, and an understanding of the use of technology in learning.

Licensing: The official recognition by a state governmental agency that a person has met state requirements and is, therefore, approved to practice as a certified or licensed professional. The term certification is still used to mean licensing in some states.

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