Accreditation and Accountability
Barbara Brittingham, DirectorCommission on Institutions of Higher Education
New England Association of Schools and [email protected]
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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