Accreditation: Evolution and New Challenges 2015 Accreditation Institute Constance M. Carroll, Ph.D. Chancellor San 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 Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act - expands GI Bill funding and establishes nongovernmental accreditors as “reliable authorities” as to quality of educational offerings Higher Education Act - establishes the basic structure for ongoing grant and loan programs for students 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 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 sFirst regional accrediting agencies are formed 1912The National Association of Accredited Commercial Schools, the first national accrediting agency, is formed 1948Western College Association is formed 1950sExpansion 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 7

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 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

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

Future Directions/Challenges Role of ACCJC 19 - CCC Board of Governors Meeting 1/20/15

THANK YOU! Q and A 20