Follow-up without Judith Eaton

Joseph Bielanski, Berkeley CollegeMarie Boyd, Chaffey CollegeJulie Bruno, Sierra CollegeRich Hansen, De Anza CollegeRichard Mahon, Riverside CollegeWith a special appearance by Jane Patton

Check In

What brings you to this breakout? What is happening in regards to accreditation

on your campus? What questions can we possibly answer?

Accreditation and the Future

What should accreditation be about? Quality assurance Quality improvement Institutional Autonomy Academic Freedom Peer and professional review

Accreditation and the Future

What it has become? Gatekeeper for federal financial aid Gatekeeper for federal regulations National Advisory Committee on Institutional

Quality and Integrity (NACIQI) Accountability and compliance 2008: 110 new rules 2009: 29 new rules

Accreditation and the Future

What has it become? 2010: focus on credit hour, distance education,

state authorization, gainful employment, policy on intellectual disabilities

The Higher Education Act renewed in 2013. The political role accreditation plays

Consultation Council Accreditation Task Force Recommendations1. Provide means for periodic feedback to ACCJC

on accreditation processes and college experiences.

2. Strengthen standards-based training via joint conferences and trainings, including best practices.

3. Review the ACCJC visiting-team selection process, widen cross-section of team members, and provide professional development opportunities. 

4. Scale accreditation expectations to benchmarks of best practices documented in other accrediting regions.

5. Consider lengthening the cycle of accreditation to 8 -10 years. 

6. Focus on improvement rather than compliance and develop non-public communication to campuses regarding improvements needed. 

7. Avoid recommendations that encroach on negotiable issues.

Consultation Council Accreditation Task Force Recommendations

Some steps being taken by ACCJC: Two recent newsletters:

“Twelve Common Questions and Answers about Regional Accreditation” (2/11)

“The Future of Accreditation” (Spring ’11) Sessions and trainings at conferences: CCLC,

CIO, Academic Resource, Strengthening Student Success, Meetings at the State Chancellor’s Office

Holding two regional workshops every half year until 2012

Some steps being taken by ACCJC: Encouraging involvement with the Western

Cooperative for Educational Technologies (Distance Education)

Revising and updating various accreditation manuals

In 2012 will begin the review of the current Standards (10 years cycle)

RP Group Accreditation ResearchGoals of the Study

Gather and disseminate information about accreditation practices and processes across the US

Create new opportunities for discussion about the utility of accreditation

RP Group Accreditation Research Reviewed 3 Accreditation Agencies

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools – Higher Learning Commission (NCA-HLC)

Western Association of Schools and Colleges - Accreditation Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC)

RP Group Accreditation Research Reviewed websites and key documents Interviewed Commission representatives Interviewed representatives from colleges

within the three regions

Setting the Stage for Quality Improvement Findings

Shifting the focus to quality enhancement requires a reinvention of the accreditation process

Three commissions are on a continuum of integration of quality enhancement into accreditation process

Developing a relationship between the Commission and CollegesFindings

Transparent, open and honest opportunities for feedback without fear of retribution are critical to the relationship between a commission and member colleges

When a commission demonstrates that it takes into account colleges’ feedback, institutions feel heard and a valued part of the process

Supporting Colleges in Achieving ReaffirmationFindings

Training constituents involved in reaffirmation

A training program that is comprehensive, learner-centered, inclusive and integral to the accreditation process is most useful to institutions

Positive learning occurs when serving on a visiting team

Supporting Colleges in Achieving ReaffirmationFindings

Sharing effective practices Formal and informal networks created by the colleges

themselves are particularly effective in offering peer guidance and specific “nuts and bolts” information

Formal and informal networks created by the colleges themselves are particularly effective in offering peer guidance and specific “nuts and bolts” information

Helping institutions interpret and meet standards Institutions need practical, specific and direct guidance

on how to understand and achieve standards.

Consistently Applying Standards and Effectively Using Sanctions FindingsEnsuring consistent application of standards during review process and status recommendations Commissions promote integrity in the assessment of colleges when they implement a multi-layered, transparent review process

Holding all institutions of higher education to the same standardsHolding community colleges to the same standards as their baccalaureate-granting counterparts can promote consistency in culture, quality and expectations for students

Consistently Applying Standards and Effectively Using Sanctions Findings

Implementing sanctions Sanctions can motivate positive action, but how

and when a commission applies a sanction can influence a college’s response

Generating a positive return on investmentFindings

Commissions engender a positive return on a college’s investment when they demonstrate theoretically and practically that they value quality rather than quantity throughout the review process

RP Group

Focusing Accreditation on Quality Improvement: Findings from an Exploration of Community College Accreditation Policies and Practices

Responses from the FieldAmending Standards and Processes Emphasize quality and improvement through: The standards, self-study and accreditation visit focus more on

teaching, learning and student success and less on internal systems  A consortium of colleges that actively works to meet a set of quality

standards that go beyond the accreditation standards

Recognition of the limited capacities of colleges to continuously address the current accreditation workload as exhibited through:

 A set of simplified standards that evaluate quality with minimum redundancy

 A more streamlined system for self-studies, reports to the commission and college visits

Responses from the FieldGreater participation of the public A community college trustee assigned to every visiting

team to represent the public

Responses from the Field Strengthening Practitioner Training/Support Stronger understanding of accreditation

processes/effective practices A commission staff person or member of the commission

assigned to every visiting team  Learner-centered training programs for college faculty

and staff  Regional venues for colleges to share promising

practices related to the accreditation standards

Responses from the Field Strengthening Practitioner Training/Support Colleges facing sanctions or on sanction could better

meet or exceed the accreditation standard minimum with:

Pre-visit technical support

Post-visit technical support

Responses from the Field Collaborating with Constituency Groups and Accrediting Agencies

 ACCJC-approved training and collaboration Academic Senate for California Community Officers California Community Colleges Chief Instructional Officers

 Expanding collaboration with WASC Senior

 Increasing dues to hire more commission staff provide additional outreach support training

What’s Next?

Implications?

Resolutions?

Next Steps?

Q & Awith Jane

Resources

Accreditation and the Federal Future of Higher Education, Academe Online, Judith Eaton

Federalization of Higher Education and the Expanding Data Bubble, Rostrum, Dec 2010

RP Group Discussing Accreditation: Findings, Discussion Questions and Report Back from the Field on Community Colleges Accreditation Policies and Practices

RP Group Focusing Accreditation on Quality Improvement: Findings from an Exploration of Community College Accreditation Policies and Practices

Thank You!