I just read where CHEA is recognizing TRACS. I wonder what this will do for the school that are now under TRACS!
Very good things, I would imagine, since TRACS now shares the same level of formal approval as the DETC, ATS, and the regional accrediting bodies, for that matter. CHEA approval definitely increases the marketability of TRACS accreditation from where I'm standing, though only time will tell how noticeable the real-world advantages will be. Thanks for sharing this news! Peace, ------------------ Tom Head www.tomhead.net
I've always considered CHEA/CORPA/COPA recognition to be secondary to the USDOE, mainly because (1) eligibility for federal financial aid and (2) the link to being part of the nation's recognized higher educational system. It is through recognizing accrediting agencies that our central government approves what is and isn't a university. While this technically sits with the states, it does not sit there effectively. In fact, this duality has only served to vex and confuse people, especially when dealing with lousy schools. TRACS may now have CHEA approval, but I'm at a loss to think of even one advantage to that. Just consider DETC. Rich Douglas
Rich, DETC has USDOE recognition, but still does not enjoy the benefit of federal financial aid. Paul C.
Yeah. What I was implying, however, is that this is the stated purpose of the USDOE: to list approved agencies for the purposes of determining institutions eligible to participate in federal financial aid. In fact, the USDOE used to also allow individual schools to qualify without accreditation under the "three-by-three" rule. Rich
Rich, If I'm not mistaken, lack of CHEA approval has been one of the reasons some have not thought highly of TRACS. I don't have my copy of NIFI nearby, but I'm almost certain I recall this being one of the reasons Steve Levicoff listed for not speaking of TRACS approvingly. If nothing else, it is one more "official" recognition, and that can't hurt. Barry
CHEA approval seems to be quite important in some circles. I cannot remember where but I know I have seen at least twice where an agency specified that the degree had to be accredited by an agency recognized by CHEA. My guess is that CHEA approval will defintely add to TRACS acceptability and possibly in a way that it does not to DETC. I think DETC & TRACS are not totally fair comparisons because the DETC (former National Home Study Council) has a certain stigma as an accreditor of correspondence schools. As Steve L. has pointed out, these especially include vocational home study schools. Many TRACS schools do independent study but must also have a campus program and TRACS is an attempt at a conservative Christian education accreditor. It will probably take some time for TRACS to reach the level of ATS but I am wondering how it will now impact AABC. My understanding is that AABC accredits undergraduate programs. TRACS would seem more attractive for schools with ambition to move beyond undergraduate to Masters or Doctoral level. While we are mentioning TRACS it will be interesting to see what they do with the Oxford Graduate School. OGS offers the D.Phil modeled after the British system (surprise with a name like Oxford). North
Hi Rich, Thanks for clarifying the point - heaven forbid that your previous brevity should serve to undermine American state democracy !! I'm a strong respecter of your postings, now heading north of 350 no doubt - and particularly the impression I get that you're at least objective when it comes to reviewing DL methodologies, RA'd DETC's, now TESC'd and even SA/SL'd. On buying a current official US Government publication from the US Embassy stand at a recent educational exhibition here in the UAE (published by the US Information Agency (www.usia.gov/usis.html), I also found what I thought to be a reasonable measure of objectivity:- Chapter title: A Diverse Educational System (... which actually says quite a lot !) Extracts (not cherry-picked):- Section Headed: "Many Choices" "The United States does not have a national school system. Nor, with the exception of the military academies (for example the US Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland) are the schools run by the federal government. But the government provides guidance and funding for federal educational programs in which both public and private schools take part, and the US Department of Education oversees these programs." "There is no clear distinction between the quality of education provided at public private colleges or institutions. The public universities of California and Virginia, for example, are generally rated on a par with the Ivy League, an association of eight prestigious private schools in the north eastern United States. This does not mean that all institutions are equal, however. A student who has graduated from a highly regarded college may have a distinct advantage as he or she seeks employment." Section headed: "Education, A Local Matter" "From Hawaii to Delaware, from Alaska to Louisiana, each of the 50 states has its own laws regulating education. From state to state, some laws are similar while others are not. For example: - all states require young people to attend school. The age limit varies however. Most states require attendance up to age 16, some up to 18. - some states play a strong central role in the selection of learning material for their students. For example, state committees may decide which textbooks can be purchased with state funds. In other states, such decisions are left to local school officials." ..... so, perhaps you get my drift. From where I stand (which is halfway across the world), and in published US government information, as well as web-based content from the US DoEd, there doesn't seem to be much doubt that the American States not only are "technically" (as per Rich) responsible for Education, they are completely responsible for it. The Federal role appears to be well defined (selective funding and also preparation of educational statistics). Furthermore, American State responsibility is not devolved to CHEA or any other self-promoting lobbyist - even though some measurement parameters may involve such organisations. Cheers, Neil
Sorry, this is kinda off topic.... Do only RA DL programs qualify for federal financial aid? Does anyone know of any inexpensive DL programs that qualify for federal financial aid(Master's programs in religion/philosophy/theology)? I'm so ! ------------------ Sam C http://www.uci.edu UCI 2002
Do only RA DL programs qualify for federal financial aid? American Bible College and Seminary (TRACS accredited)offers DL students fed aid. www.abcs.edu God Bless, Kenny Rhodes
Unisa Guy: Your name isn't also Factwatcher is it? Sounds like some of the same spam which began on a.e.d. several months ago. Russell
I'd be very interested to know where and when those "inquiries" were made, and what screen-name they were made under. "UNISA-guy" has only made two posts to degree-info, this off-topic one and an identical copy of it on one of the MIGS threads. Is 'UNISA-guy' our old AED friend 'Earlscroft-guy'? If so, I guess that our moderators are going to finally get a real workout.
Yow! Are the moderators alert or what? 'UNISA/Earlscroft-guy' is already liquidated. Knowing our AED-friend though (assuming it was him), this probably won't be the last we see of him. What's that quote, 'the price of liberty is eternal vigilance' or something?
Here's the quote: Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty--Wendell Phillips also: The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing--Edmund Burke Good work, guys Scott
