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Accreditation: Evolution and New Challenges
2015 Accreditation Institute
Constance M. Carroll, Ph.D.ChancellorSan Diego Community College District
1
Accreditation and Quality Assurance in Other
Countries
Government
Minister/Secretary of Education
Higher Education Councils
2
Types of Accreditation
There are two basic types of educational accreditation:
Institutional accreditation normally applies to an entire
institution.
Specialized or programmatic accreditation normally applies to
programs, departments, or schools that are parts of an institution,
generally specialized or vocational programs
3
Types of U.S. Accrediting Organizations
There are four types of accrediting organizations:
Regional accreditors
National faith-related accreditors
National career-related accreditors
Programmatic accreditors
4
Major Federal Legislation Affecting Accreditation
5
1952 Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act - expands GI
Bill funding and establishes nongovernmental accreditors
as “reliable authorities” as to quality of educational
offerings. 1965 Higher Education Act - establishes the basic structure for
ongoing grant and loan programs for students.
1972 Major expansion of federal student aid, including making
funds available to students attending for-profit institutions
and affirming that federal assistance is to go to students
and not institutions.
1992 Federal oversight of accreditation incorporated into the
Higher Education Act, in part a reaction to concerns about
the extent to which students were defaulting on federal loans.
History of U.S. Accreditation
6
1880s First regional accrediting agencies are formed
1912 The National Association of Accredited Commercial Schools, the first national accrediting agency, is formed
1948 Western College Association is formed
1950s Expansion of public sector higher education beyond teacher education to multi-purpose state colleges and universities and establishment of thousands of community colleges; periodic review, site visits, and the use of self-studies begin to emerge among accrediting agencies
Six Regional Accrediting Organizations
Northwest (includes Alaska)
Western (includes Hawaii) North Central
New England Middle States Southern
7http://www.macu.edu/about-macu/accreditation.html
Number of Institutions Accredited by Regional Accrediting Organizations
8
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) is the only regional accrediting organization that has two higher education accreditors: the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) and the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities (SCUC)
Who Accredits the Accreditors?
Accrediting organizations are accountable to the
institutions and programs they accredit
They are also required to have “recognition” by the
United States Department of Education (USDE) in order
to be eligible for federal student aid and other programs
Although accreditation is a nongovernmental activity,
recognition is a governmental function
9
Functions of Accreditation
Accreditation serves several major purposes:
Assuring quality
Access to federal and state funds
Engendering public confidence
Facilitating transfer
10
Accreditation Process
1. Standards Established
2. Comprehensive Self-Study/ Self-Evaluation
3. Site Visit/On-site Evaluation
4. Judgment by Accrediting Organization
5. Midterm Reports
6. Annual Reports
7. Substantive Change
Image from ACCJC/WASC presentation “Accreditation and Trustee Roles and Responsibilities”
11
Basic Eligibility Requirements for Community Colleges
1. Authority (license) to operate
2. Operational Status
3. Degree Programs
4. Chief Executive Officer (full-time)
5. Financial Accountability
• including external audits
• including GASB requirements
12
Basic Eligibility Requirements for Community Colleges (cont’d)
6. Mission
7. Governing Board (independent)
8. Administrative Capacity
9. Educational Programs
10. Academic Credit
11. Student Learning and Student Achievement
12. General Education
13. Academic Freedom
13
Basic Eligibility Requirements for Community Colleges (cont’d)
14. Faculty
15. Student Support Services
16. Admissions
17. Information and Learning Support Services
18. Financial Resources
• integrated with all planning
19. Institutional Planning and Evaluation
20. Integrity in Communication with the Public
21. Integrity in Relations with the Accrediting Commission
14
Standards of Accreditation
15
Standard I: Mission, Academic Quality and
Institutional Effectiveness, and Integrity
Standard II: Student Learning Programs and Support
Services
Standard III: Resources
Standard IV: Leadership and Governance
Major Changes to ACCJC Standards
16
1996
Introduction of Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs), focus on institutional effectiveness
Consolidation of ten standards to four; expansion of “culture of evidence”
Addition of requirements for institutions offering baccalaureate- level programs
2002
2014
ACCJC authorized to approve bachelor’s degrees through the substantive change process
Added to draft standards new requirements specific to bachelor’s degree
Minimum 120 semester credits
Minimum GE requirement 36 semester credits
All standards apply and interpreted in the context of the degree (e.g. faculty credentials, library resources, etc. should be appropriate to the degree)
Substantive Change Process
17
ACCJC Bachelor’s Degree Requirements
Accreditation Actions
1. Candidacy (grant, extend, deny)
2. Initial Accreditation (grant, follow-up, extend, deny)
3. Reaffirm (defer, follow-up reports, and/or visits)
4. Warning
5. Probation
6. Show Cause
7. Terminate
8. Restoration Status
18