What is Accreditation?
Accreditation is a concept, a process, and status. As a concept, accreditation is a means of self-regulation which focuses on the evaluation and the continuous improvement of educational quality. It provides a structure for public accountability and a way of ensuring that educational institutions will continuously seek ways to upgrade and enhance the quality of education and training they provide.聽
As a process, accreditation is voluntary based on the principles of academic self-governance. It is also a quality assurance and collegial process under which an institution鈥檚 and/or program鈥檚 quality, services, and operations are examined through self-evaluation and external review by one鈥檚 peers.
In terms of status, accreditation provides public notification that an institution or program meets commonly accepted standards of quality or excellence set forth by the accrediting organization granting the accreditation. It increases opportunities for public and private funding for the institution, faculty members, and students and enhances the institution鈥檚 credibility and reputation.
Importance of Accreditation
Accreditation provides the educational institution an opportunity for critical analysis leading to improvement in quality, services, and operations. It gives public certification that an institution or program has attained standards above those prescribed by government agencies. Accreditation also fosters educational excellence through the development of principles and guidelines for assessing educational effectiveness.聽
Features of Accreditation
The features of accreditation are:
- a prevailing sense of volunteerism
- a strong tradition of self-regulation
- reliance on evaluation/assessment techniques
- the primary concern with quality and excellence
- openness to outside examination/external scrutiny by educational evaluators (accreditors) familiar with accreditation requirements
- a developmental process of continuous improvement
Benefits of Accreditation and Membership in PAASCU
Being a member of 91自拍facilitates a clearer self-image for a member institution that gives the school community and its stakeholders a sense of direction. It affords the member school a high reputation founded on quality standards and also guides parents and students in the choice of excellent schools and facilitates the transfer of students.
91自拍also provides its members Consultancy Services in the form of assistance towards strengthening areas needing improvement and guidance in the self-survey process or preparation for survey visits. 91自拍also organizes relevant seminars, workshops, conferences, and other professional development sessions available to member schools.聽
