CONCERNS FROM THE FOR-PROFIT SECTOR Wisconsin EAB Conference November 2010 Anthony S. Bieda

Brief history and profile of ACICS as institutional accreditor Institutional accreditor of career education since 1912; ED.gov recognized since 1956 CHEA Recognized since 2001 Structural, statutory separation of membership function (CCA) from accreditation function (ACICS) in early 90s Arms length relationship (organizational) has been fortified, reinforced and preserved

Policy, structure, procedure that preserves independence Council deliberations/decisions: Council ByLaws Codes of ethics for commissioners, evaluators P&P manual governs staff Prescribed composition of site visit teams Public membership on Council Review/certification of independence by ED.gov, CHEA

Value of quality assurance through peer review Harnessing expertise of experience, knowledge Up-to-date in field of study In-tune with emerging best practices Multiple, structural checks and balances

Salient quality/integrity issues confronting sector, accreditors Recruitment and admissions Financial aid practices Career services and placement Migration of more enrollment – all sectors – to on-line delivery

Best practices regarding compliance and auditing Rigorous in-person reviews versus surreptitious observation Information from students in each program and follow-up on student complaints, so that students have a voice in our quality assurance outcomes Documented, verified information Scheduled encounters that increase quality, depth of information

Policy vehicles and events November 2010: Published New Program Integrity Rules December 2010: 1 st NACIQI Meeting, new structure January 2011:ACICS recognition application due Feb/Mar 2011: New G.E. Regs due July :New P.I. rules effective Date Unknown: Additional Congressional Scrutiny

Now, lets have your questions, but consider … Demand for career education stronger than ever Growth in career education as % of total Title IV utilization growing rapidly Marketing & recruitment, NOT education quality, presumptive force Less T4 $ rather than more T4 $ is likely (ALL sectors) Placement task harder before easier

And consider… ACICS primarily licenses grants of accreditation Criteria = minimal standards Expectations = exceeding the minimum New expectations are durable, persistent Non-compliance is costly for everyone: all ACICS institutions, accrediting body, students, investors

Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools Washington, D.C.