CONCERNS FROMTHE FOR-PROFIT SECTOR

Wisconsin EAB ConferenceNovember 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: 1st NACIQI Meeting, new structure

January 2011: ACICS recognition application due

Feb/Mar 2011: New G.E. Regs due

July 1 2011: New P.I. rules effective

Date Unknown: Additional Congressional Scrutiny

Now, let’s 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.