Announcement

Press Release: IACET Announces Strategic Partnership with the Commission on STEM/STEAM Accreditation (CSSA)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sterling, VA — October 28, 2024 - The International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with the Commission on STEM/STEAM Accreditation (CSSA) to develop the Accredited STEM/STEAM Continuing Education Unit (ASCEU) endorsement. This collaboration will extend the ANSI/IACET Standard for Continuing Education and Training into the rapidly growing STEM/STEAM industry, creating a valuable new accreditation for training providers who serve the professional development needs of the STEM/STEAM workforce.

Under this agreement, IACET and CSSA will work together to create a specialized accreditation program that authorizes training providers to offer ASCEUs to students, educators, and other professionals who receive continuing education. This new STEM/STEAM endorsement will ensure that professional development programs in these critical fields meet the highest standards of quality, relevance, and effectiveness.

“We are thrilled to join forces with CSSA to bring this important accreditation to life,” said Randy Bowman, President & CEO of IACET. “The ASCEU endorsement represents a vital step forward in addressing the educational and workforce development needs of the STEM and STEAM industries. This partnership underscores IACET’s ongoing commitment to expanding learning opportunities and helping organizations provide cutting-edge training programs.”

Dr. Samy M. Sidky, The President of CSSA, expressed enthusiasm for the expanded reach of this collaboration, he added “We are excited with the announcement of the strategic partnership between IACET and CSSA as the global leader in STEM and STEAM education”. CSSA's mission is to empower individuals of all backgrounds through hands-on learning and interdisciplinary collaboration, fostering a lifelong passion for STEM.

This partnership will enable CSSA to continue providing accreditation for STEM programs offered by educational institutions schools k-12 and universities, businesses, and organizations, ensuring alignment with industry standards.

Supported by STEM Academy, CSSA’s research and training unit, the partnership will align programs with IACET/CSSA STEM Endorsement standards, benefiting schools, universities, and STEM teacher development globally.

The partnership between IACET and CSSA marks a significant milestone in the development of accredited industry-specific training programs leveraged by the ANSI/IACET Standard for Continuing Education and Training. By working together, the two organizations will ensure that the ASCEU endorsement aligns with industry standards and provides clear, accessible procedures for training providers to obtain accreditation.

With the launch of the ASCEU program, IACET and CSSA are poised to help organizations, schools, universities deliver top-tier continuing education that meets the demands of the ever-evolving STEM and STEAM fields.

For further details, please contact:
Randy Bowman, President & CEO
Marketing@iacet.org
703.763.0705 Extension 103

About IACET: The International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET), a not-for-profit organization, has been a leader in educational standards since its founding, pioneering the Continuing Education Unit (CEU) in 1968 to measure professional learning activity. As an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Accredited Standards Developer, IACET remains committed to advancing lifelong learning by establishing research-backed, consensus-based standards for quality and supporting, through rigorous accreditation processes, a global network of training providers committed to delivering high-quality, transformative learning events.

About CSSA: The Commission on STEM/STEAM Accreditation (CSSA) is a nonprofit organization and member of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), CSSA is dedicated to promoting excellence in STEM and STEAM education through accreditation, certification, and educational standards. CSSA works to ensure that training providers meet the evolving needs of STEM/STEAM industries. In collaboration with STEM Academy, a silver member of American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) serves as CSSA operational unit for research, training, and technical support, CSSA ensures that all programs are evaluated and aligned with IACET/CSSA STEM Endorsement initiatives for Schools, university STEM programs and with STEM teacher professional development.