Enduring Issues for Accreditation
February 21, 2018
- Seek reliable evidence of effective institutional and program performance and student success as dominant in judging quality. (Student Learning Outcomes)
- Call for adequate safeguards with regard to not only the quality of performance of institutions and programs, but also their responsibility for effective operation and the conduct of their business and the use of federal funds.(Public Accountability)
- Expect routine, robust information from accrediting organizations, institutions and programs, readily accessible and understandable by the public, about student achievement, the strengths and limitations of institutions and programs, the reasons for accreditation decisions and what accredited status means. (Transparency)
- Expect accrediting organizations, to fully carry out their role in serving students and society, to identify and assure minimally acceptable institution and program performance as well as continuing the longstanding focus on quality improvement. (Credibility)
- Encourage innovation in accreditation, beyond the investment in longstanding accreditation practices, and strengthening an accreditation culture of openness and responsiveness to change. (Innovation)
- Expect assurance that accreditation is responsibly carrying out its role in providing eligibility for Title IV and other federal funds for accredited institutions and programs, in order to assure that the federal resources are used effectively. (Gatekeeping)