American Bar Association Recognizes AALE Accreditation

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Anthony Pina, May 7, 2003.

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  1. Anthony Pina

    Anthony Pina Active Member

    Here's an interesting tidbit from the American Academy for Liberal Education (AALE) website:

    American Bar Association (ABA) Recognizes AALE Accreditation.

    In a significant revision to its Standards for Approval of Law Schools, the ABA has recognized the emergence of the AALE as a national institutional accrediting association. According to AALE president Jeffrey Wallin, the ABA's decision "publicly recognizes the fact that regional accreditation is no longer synonymous with institutional accreditation for liberal arts colleges. This move by the Bar Association places AALE accreditation where it belongs - on a level playing field with the regional associations."

    www.aale.org
     
  2. Charles

    Charles New Member

    Tony,

    The ABA's recognition of AALE is not recent. I noted it last February. The information has been on the AALE webpage since at least that time.

    "PHC is pursuing accreditation by the American Academy for Liberal Education (AALE). I had not heard of AALE before reading about PHC's application. They seem to be very well regarded. The ABA recognizes AALE accreditation for entry into ABA approved law schools."

    http://www.degreeinfo.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3817&perpage=30&pagenumber=1
     
  3. Anthony Pina

    Anthony Pina Active Member

    Thank you, Charles. I went to the AALE site when I learned that Southern Virginia University was recently accredited by them (SVU's President is a friend of mine). When I last visited the AALE website some time ago, I did not notice the ABA announcement.

    Tony
     
  4. Charles

    Charles New Member

    Tony,

    SVU appears to be a great up-from-the-ashes success. I became interested in AALE due to my interest in Patrick Henry College. SVU was mentioned in PHC's successful appeal to AALE for preaccreditation.

    A few grads from PHC's first graduating class were accepted to the law schools of William and Mary College, and George Mason University, and American University, while PHC's AALE accreditation was still undecided.
     
  5. Guest

    Guest Guest

    From the FAQ section of AALE's website:

    Do AALE standards surpass those of other accreditors?

    Few if any accreditors pay such detailed attention to academics in assessing the quality of a school as does AALE.


    This is quite an accomplishment!
     
  6. BillDayson

    BillDayson New Member

    Re: Re: American Bar Association Recognizes AALE Accreditation

    It's quite a statement, at any rate.

    I'm not convinced that it's true regarding the regional accreditors, and I'm confident that it isn't true for the specialized accreditors.
     
  7. uncle janko

    uncle janko member

    What an interesting history at SVU!
     
  8. Anthony Pina

    Anthony Pina Active Member

    Re: Re: Re: American Bar Association Recognizes AALE Accreditation

    Having participated in the WASC accreditation process and having spoken to those who just completed AALE accreditation, I think that I know what is meant by the AALE statement (although it could have been worded better, using "curriculum" in place of "academics").

    AALE is primarily interested in schools that provide a high quality liberal arts education. Therefore, their procedures seemed to be more heavily focused on curricular and faculty quality issues than regional accreditation, which tends to be somewhat broader and focus primarily on institutional issues. WASC didn't spend a whole lot of time on curriculum. I don't think that the AALE statement was meant to be a slam on the regionals, only that AALE is more curriculum-focused.

    I think that Bill is right that AALE's focus is a bit closer to the specialized accreditors.

    Tony Piña
    CSU San Bernardino
     
  9. Anthony Pina

    Anthony Pina Active Member

    Yes, Southern Virginia IS a fascinating story:

    1. Long-time two year college for girls declines in enrollment, goes into debt, loses accreditation and plans to close.

    2. In steps a group of Latter-day Saint educators and business people who offer to pay off the school's debt and re-open it as a 4 year college to serve the eastern LDS community. Existing faculty and administration agree. Several of them decide to stay on at the "new" school.

    3. They are able to attract a decent number of Ph.D.s from schools accross the nation.

    4. Enrollment goes from 74 to 500 in just a few years.

    5. School gets AALE accreditation and is now preparing for RA.

    I visited this school in February. The area is beautiful and things seem to be going well there.

    Tony Piña
    CSU San Bernardino
     
  10. BillDayson

    BillDayson New Member

    I can't shake the feeling that the AALE has an agenda of some kind. There's the smell of canon-wars about them, like gunpowder on the wind...
     
  11. Anthony Pina

    Anthony Pina Active Member

    In this corner, at 350 AD we have the Canon of Cyril and in this corner, at 250 AD we have the Muratorian Canon...

    OK...come out fighting!

    Tony
     

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