Accreditation and Accountability

Barbara Brittingham, DirectorCommission on Institutions of Higher Education

New England Association of Schools and Collegesbbrittingham@neasc.org

Voice: 781 541 5447http://www.neasc.org

SHEEO

Professional Development Conference Boston

August 15, 2007

Variety in Institutional Mission

A Sample of Public and Independent Institutions

Harvard University Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute

Urban College Berklee College of Music

Hartford Seminary University of Vermont

York County Community College Amherst College

Massachusetts College of Art Vermont Law School

Boston Architectural Center New England Institute of Art

Naval War College Hult International Business School

Maine Maritime Academy Simon’s Rock College of Bard

Johnson & Wales University Daniel Webster College

Conway School of Landscape Design Saint Basil College

Variety in reactions to what’s happening

• NAICU – biggest range of all

• NASULGC + AASCU: VSA

• Community Colleges: Sea change

• Graduate-only: ~12%

• For-profit: transfer, graduation, placement

The issues were already there

Commission Standards review: 2003

1. Technology

2. Quality of the Academic Program

3. Assessment

4. Responsibility and Integrity

5. Public Disclosure

Goals of the Commission* in responding

*Commission on Institutions of Higher Education, NEASC

1. Respond to legitimate issues raised

2. Gain additional traction on assessment

3. Draw on diversity of institutions

4. Stimulate thinking on measuring, judging, understanding student learning

Commission assumptions:

• Americans like choice.

• Tremendous brain power in [New England] higher education.

• Mistakes are costly.

• People want to do the right thing.

Becoming More Explicit in Looking at Student Success

A.Making assessment more explicit

B.New CIHE data-forms

Pilot launch: March 2007

Refine and launch: October 2007

Becoming More Explicit in Looking at Student Success

A.Making assessment more explicit

1. Inventory of assessment

2. VSA plus program review

3. Peer comparisons

4. Propose another way

Becoming More Explicit in Looking at Student Success

B. New CIHE data-forms

1. Retention and graduation

2. Other measures of student success

3. Licensure and job placement

4. Short-term vocational training

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