Accreditation: Evolution and New Challenges

2015 Accreditation Institute

Constance M. Carroll, Ph.D.ChancellorSan Diego Community College District

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Accreditation and Quality Assurance in Other

Countries

Government

Minister/Secretary of Education

Higher Education Councils

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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

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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

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Major Federal Legislation Affecting Accreditation

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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

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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

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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

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Functions of Accreditation

Accreditation serves several major purposes:

Assuring quality

Access to federal and state funds

Engendering public confidence

Facilitating transfer

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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”

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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

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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

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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

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Standards of Accreditation

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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

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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

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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

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Future Directions/Challenges

Role of ACCJC

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- CCC Board of Governors Meeting 1/20/15

THANK YOU!

Q and A

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