Accreditation group

Discussion in 'Accreditation Discussions (RA, DETC, state approva' started by Khan, Jan 11, 2005.

Loading...
  1. Khan

    Khan New Member

    I need to answer this question for someone despite my personal feelings about it:
    How can a group of people start their own accreditation organization? Are their any specific rules?
    It seems like you can just incorporate in a state and say that accreditation is your mission, but how could they actually become a legitimate organization?
     
  2. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    Starting an accrediting agency is no more complicated that starting any other association, initially.

    To be recognized as an accreditor, you would have to have constituent members and accredit successfully for a period of time. Then you'll have to convince CHEA and/or the USDoE that your agency is necessary and should be recognized. It is these things (and I've utterly over-simplified them) that make it difficult.

    Look at the histories of TRACTS and a few other new accreditors for lessons learned.

    It might be better to develop an association of schools who will (eventually) adopt their own standards of membership. Evolving, instead of imposing.
     
  3. Khan

    Khan New Member

    Thanks

    OK. Thanks Rich...
     
  4. bullet

    bullet New Member

    'CELENTE

    Le Doctor Douglas,

    Wonderful post! :D
     
  5. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    "TRACS," not "TRACTS." D-uh!:rolleyes:
     
  6. BillDayson

    BillDayson New Member

    The regional accreditors are membership associations, whose members aren't a "group of people" but rather the schools themselves. So when a new candidate receives accreditation, it's being recognized as a peer institution by the broader academic community. It's a peer-review process.

    The specialized accreditors are often professional bodies. The American Bar Association accredits law schools. ABET is an accrediting coalition of a whole bunch of engineering professional societies like the IEEE.

    While Dept. of Education/CHEA recognition is very important, it isn't necessarily what makes accreditors credible. The American Chemical Society accredits (they may use some other word) chemistry departments, but it isn't a recognized accreditor. It sees no reason why it needs to be. All of its accredited departments are within regionally accredited schools, so DoEd/CHEA recognition isn't necessary for funding purposes. What gives ACS recognition its considerable clout is the fact that the chemists themselves recognize it and consider it a very big deal.

    So bottom line: I'd question the basic premise of a "group of people" starting their own accreditor. Being a credible accreditor is something that takes critical mass, some institutional gravitas.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 11, 2005

Share This Page