THE ACCREDITATION PROCESS

Accreditation is the granting of public recognition to a school, university or course of study which meets certain established standards and qualifications. It provides a professional judgment regarding the quality of the schools or programs, while also encouraging continual improvement.

The state governments usually assume major responsibility for educational issues at the primary and secondary levels. Each state defines its expectations and basis for accreditation. However, for post-secondary education, standards are usually monitored and evaluated by non-governmental accrediting bodies whose regulations and authority derive from their membership. The current edition of Accredited Institutions of Postsecondary Education; (Programs and Candidates) lists all accrediting agencies recognized by the American Council on Education (ACE). It is available from ACE at One Dupont Circle, Washington, D.C. 20036. Netsite: http://www.acenet.edu/home .html.

Accreditation usually consists of the following steps:

• The establishment of standards.
• An institutional self-study, in which performance is measured against established standards.
• On-site evaluation by a team of outside educators selected by the accrediting agency.
• Publication of the fact that the institution met the standards.
• Periodic re-evaluation of the institution's programs.

A significant purpose of accreditation is to enable students to transfer from one accredited institution to another. Financial aid, from government and private sources, is usually awarded only to students who attend recognized or accredited institutions.

The American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers publishes Transfer Credit Practices of Designated Educational Institutions -- An Informational Exchange. It gives a state-by-state outline of policies for awarding coursework credits for students who transfer within the state.

In 1984, the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation (now the Council for Higher Education Accreditation -- CHEA) recognized 11 accrediting bodies that include most traditional colleges and universities. These are the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, New England Association of Schools and Colleges, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, American Association of Bible Colleges, Association of Independent Colleges and Schools, Association of Theological Schools, National Association of Trade and Technical Schools, and the National Home Study Council.

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