Why is My College on warning? Understanding the Accreditation Process. Chris Younger, Lassen College Janet Fulks, ASCCC

Why is My College on warning? Understanding the Accreditation Process Many colleges are being sanctioned through the accreditation process. What does that mean for students? Are student voices included and student concerns incorporated in the accreditation report? This is a break out designed to help the student learn what accreditation means and he/she can do to help their college through the process?

A Quiz Directions for the Clickers

Which of the following is true of Accreditation? A. It is a means of monitoring colleges B. It punishes colleges based upon audits C. It determines the credits students get from college courses D. It guarantees the quality of education to the federal government and the public by comparing colleges to best practices E. It grades and ranks colleges based on standards

What is Accreditation? Accreditation has two fundamental purposes: To assure the quality of the institution, and To encourage institutional improvement Accreditation of an institution by an accrediting body certifies to the general public that the institution: Has appropriate purposes, Has the resources needed to accomplish its purposes, Can demonstrate that it is accomplishing its purposes, and Gives reason to believe that it will continue to accomplish its purposes.

Match the following Accreditation Status reports with their meaning Reaffirm Accreditation Warning Probation Show Cause Loss of Accreditation A demand to prove why the institution should continue as an accredited institution Fully accredited institution with accredited rights An institution without accreditation status or rights Specific recommendations that must be addressed within a timeframe A sanction based upon longstanding serious concern with a history of unaddressed recommendations from previous reports

How many California community colleges are on some form of sanction? None 5% (≈ 6 colleges) 10% (≈ 11 colleges) 20% (≈24 colleges) 50%(≈ 58 colleges)

Meaning of status and current colleges at each level Accredited Warning Probation Show cause Loss of accreditation See handout

How many of you are at colleges on some kind off warning? Did you know prior to today what your college’s accreditation status is? What have you done as a student leader?

Who participates in Accreditation processes? A. Faculty B. Administration C. Classified Staff D. Students E. All of the above

Which of the following aspects of accreditation have you participated in? A. Been a member of an accreditation subcommittee B. Represented student needs in accreditation C. Read the accreditation or midterm report for accuracy D. Helped students understand accreditation E. All of the above

What does it mean if a college gets a negative accreditation report? The college loses federal funding The college loses student financial aid The college loses the ability to transfer courses The college can no longer operate It depends on the negative report

What does it mean if a college loses accreditation status? The college loses federal funding The college loses student financial aid The college may not be able to transfer course credit The college loses community trust All of the above

What role do students play in the accreditation report? Representation on committees Writing the report Validating the accuracy of the report to the student perspective Meeting with Accreditation team visitors All of the above

What does accreditation look at? Four Standards Standard 1 – Institutional Effectiveness Standard 2 – Student Learning Outcomes Instruction Student Services Library Standard 3 – Resources Human Fiscal Physical Technology Standard 4 - Governance

What does accreditation look at? Themes organization as demonstrated in having adequate staff, resources and organizational structure (communication and decision making structures) to identify and make public learning outcomes, to evaluate the effectiveness of programs in producing those outcomes, and to make improvements;  dialogue as a means to ongoing participation in institutional self reflection based on reliable information about the college’s programs and services and evidence on how well the institution is meeting student needs; institutional integrity demonstrated by concern with honesty, truthfulness, and the manner in which the institution represents itself to all stakeholders, internal and external

What does accreditation look at? Themes institutional commitments to providing high quality education congruent with institutional mission, to focusing on student learning, and to periodic reflection on the mission statement;  evaluation, planning, and improvement in an ongoing and systematic cycle that includes evaluation, goal setting, resource distribution, implementation, and reevaluation; student learning outcomes as the conscious and robust demonstration of the effectiveness of institutional efforts to produce and support student learning by developing student learning outcomes at the course, program, certificate, and degree level;

Where should students serve on committees? Standard 1 – Institutional Effectiveness Standard 2 – Student Learning Outcomes Instruction Student Services Library Standard 3 – Resources Human Fiscal Physical Technology Standard 4 - Governance

What happens when accreditation works? Every constituency is involved The college does a rigorous and honest self evaluation Processes are evaluated for efficiency

What happens when accreditation works? Courses and programs are reviewed for usefulness and currency Student Pathways are reviewed Budgeting and planning are examined

Why are colleges placed on sanctions? Mainly Program review problems Institutional effectiveness problems Governance problems

Stories from a college on sanction Lassen Stories from a college to remain un-named

Exactly what should students do? Be sure they have members on every subcommittee Be sure the students REPRESENT Have a goal and game plan Know your priorities Advocate

Questions for you? What does accreditation mean for the students? What does the accreditation report mean for you? What can you do at your college to help with the accreditation process?

What is Accreditation? Accreditation has two fundamental purposes: To assure the quality of the institution, and To encourage institutional improvement Accreditation of an institution by an accrediting body certifies to the general public that the institution: Has appropriate purposes, Has the resources needed to accomplish its purposes, Can demonstrate that it is accomplishing its purposes, and Gives reason to believe that it will continue to accomplish its purposes.

Resources www.accjc.org