PCTIA AccreditationWHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE APPLYING FOR ACCREDITATION

TOPICS COVERED•What is Accreditation? Why do it?•Eligibility •Steps to become accredited•Summary of October 2012 Bylaw Changes•Ongoing requirements once accredited•Frequently asked questions

WHAT IS ACCREDITATION?•Voluntary•Third-party, un-biased, review and assessment of

many aspects of a school’s operations

WHY APPLY FOR ACCREDITATION•Opportunity for external validation•More credibility•Marketing edge•Ability to apply for StudentAid BC Designation•Ability to apply for Education Quality Assurance

designation

ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR ACCREDITATION?

To apply for accreditation, schools must be: ▫ Operating and in good standing for one year▫ Training continuously for the past year▫ Having sufficient students and graduates to

enable assessment▫ Financially sound ▫ Meeting all PCTIA registration requirements

STEPS TO PCTIA ACCREDITATION

1. Read through materials in this presentation.

2. Download and review the Institutional Accreditation Report.

3. Sign up for the in-person workshop.4. Complete draft Institutional

Accreditation Report and attend the in-person Accreditation Workshop.

STEPS TO PCTIA ACCREDITATION

5. After completion of workshop, submit completed Accreditation Application Form and fee within 6 months.

6. Host a site visit by a PCTIA staff member.

7. After a successful site visit, submit your Institutional Accreditation Report for review.

STEPS TO PCTIA ACCREDITATION8. Host Accreditation Audit Team site

visit.9. Review draft Accreditation Audit

Team report.10. Respond to Team Report.11. Registrar’s Decision.

ROLES OF THE AGENCY, SCHOOL AND TEAMPCTIA• Sets standards• Facilitates process• Makes final decisionThe School• Self-assessment, determines standards are met before visit• Demonstrates standards met using report and during visitThe Team• Validates standards met• Reports to Registrar

ACCREDITATION STANDARDS OF QUALITY

1. Mission Statement▫ Clearly articulated, appropriate for

career-training institution▫ Commitment to providing quality

education▫ Easily understood▫ Includes specific goals which are

measureable, attainable, realistic and timely

ACCREDITATION STANDARDS OF QUALITY

2. Administrative Capacity▫ Policies and procedures in place▫ Instructional oversight by a qualified

Senior Educational Administrator▫ Administration allows for quality delivery

of programs

ACCREDITATION STANDARDS OF QUALITY3. Facilities & Institutional Resources▫ Resources allocated to achieve quality

outcomes▫ Health & safety a priority

4. Instructors/Facilitators▫ Qualifications, experience allow for

quality delivery of programs▫ Performance reviews focus on

outcomes and quality delivery

ACCREDITATION STANDARDS OF QUALITY

5. Academic Policies & Student Services▫ Students receive effective information & guidance▫ Programs have appropriate entry criteria▫ Assessment of learning outcomes is accurate, fair,

timely and consistent▫ Grade appeal policy is effective▫ Credit transfer and/or prior learning policies are

effective (if applicable)▫ Dispute resolution policy is fair and effective

ACCREDITATION STANDARDS OF QUALITY

6. Program Advisory Committee(s) (PAC)▫ Independent▫ One for each program or program area▫ Three members in attendance▫ Represent employment community or program area▫ Annual meeting covers items required in Bylaws▫ Evidence that PAC suggestions are considered▫ Distance education representative on PAC if

necessary

ACCREDITATION STANDARDS OF QUALITY

7. Program Delivery▫ Educationally sound, effective process for

development, approval and review of programs▫ Feedback sought from stakeholders (students, grads,

PAC’s, instructors, employers)▫ Effective, sound, appropriate teaching practices▫ Delivery done by 3rd parties meets PCTIA standards▫ Effective, integrated practicum placements (if

applicable)

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October 2012 Bylaw Changes

• New Bylaws available for download at www.pctia.bc.ca • Effective date: October 1, 2012• Other resources on PCTIA website• Discussion group• Bylaw Changes Comparison Grid• Q&A document

October 2012 Bylaw Changes

• Electronic student records permitted• Satellite locations – after continuous 24 months must

be registered as a branch• Instructor Diploma Requirements• Must be held by the Senior Educational

Administrator• Transition deadline - October 1, 2013

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October 2012 Bylaw Changes• Archiving Student Files• Archiving deadline with an approved third party

vendor is extended from 30 days to 60 days• Feedback on Student Progress• Meaningful, written feedback prior to completion of

30% of the program• Credential• Must provide transcript and credential (Diploma or

Certificate) for career training programs

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October 2012 Bylaw Changes• Instructor Qualifications• Clarified:• Degree, Diploma or Certificate in the field of study

and• 24 months full time experience in the field

• or• 10 years of full time experience in lieu of a formal

credential in the field of study

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October 2012 Bylaw ChangesStudent Contracts•Appendices A and B no longer required•Minor wording amendments•Institutions will need to update and submit their student contract templates

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October 2012 Bylaw Changes• Corporate Training – no longer regulated• Refund Policy Changes• Financial Statements• Significant changes to reporting requirements• Transition date (first statements under new format to

be submitted March 2013)• Fees have changed

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Quality Standard: Continuous Improvement Framework• Tracking student outcomes• PAC requirements (simplified)• Tracking process for improvements• Gather/Evaluate/Act on outcomes data

October 2012 Bylaw Changes

ONGOING REQUIREMENTS Continuous compliance with Basic

Education Standards Continuous compliance with

Accreditation standards of quality Annual compliance visits by PCTIA staff 5-year review cycle Annual enrolment report includes

employment statistics for grads Accreditation certificate posted Report on outcome measures Report changes to PCTIA

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

▫How much does accreditation cost? ▫Is there a minimum number of auditors?▫Does the school pay for the PCTIA represe

ntative on an accreditation audit?

▫Are there any additional expenses charged to the school?

▫Does the accreditation flat fee include meals on-site too?

▫How long does accreditation take?

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS▫When are accreditation audit fees due?▫How many days does an audit take?▫Who are the auditors? Can someone from one school

audit another school?▫What happens if the school can’t demonstrate that all

of the standards of quality are met?▫What happens if you disagree with the team’s

assessment?▫Is SABC or EQA designation automatic once you are

accredited?