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Description/Definition:
Institutional accreditation granted by the North Central Association, Commission on Institutions of Higher Education. It is a broad, complex, composite indicator of institutional viability and effectiveness. NCA accreditation provides peer "certification" that an educational institution is meeting professionally accepted operating standards, and is fulfilling its organizational mission.
Methodology and Data Sources:
For 1997-1998 and subsequent years, community colleges would be required to provide their North Central Association Statement of Affiliation. NCA accreditation status is also available in the annual NCA Quarterly.
Reporting Periods/Timelines:
Reported annually to Department of Management and Budget in the 4th quarter.
Special Conditions/Issues:
None.
Work Group Members:
John Cooper, Kellogg (Group Leader)
Bobbie Foust, Mott
Ruth Kurlandsky, Grand Rapids
Pilot Project Colleges:
The work group reviewed all Michigan community colleges as listed in the NCA Quarterly. Individual colleges were not surveyed or piloted.
Sample Format
College name:
Address:
President:
Affiliation status:
Most recent NCA action:
Are you accredited by NCA?
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Candidate
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Yes
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Yes/Probation
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No
Date of last NCA visit: ____________________________
Date of next NCA visit: ___________________________
Special conditions/issues:
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None
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Report(s)
r
Focus visit(s)
r
Site limitations
If you checked one of these boxes for special conditions/issues – please explain.
History
The community colleges have been providing this performance indicator to the Department of Management and Budget for the last two years in the Fall quarter.
Background
The work group reviewed two NCA sources for reporting information. The NCA web site was searched for accreditation status on the Michigan community colleges and the NCA quarterly was reviewed to determine which elements of accreditation should be included in the reporting format.
Research Summary
A version of this indicator related to accredited programs is mentioned by the ECS. All 26 community colleges indicated in the Performance Indicators Capacity Survey that they could report on this indicator with current resources and from existing data.
Definitions
Accreditation is granted to institutions of higher education based upon a review of the following criteria:
- Criterion 1. The institution has clear and publicly stated purposes consistent with its mission and appropriate to an institution of higher education.
- Criterion 2. The institution has effectively organized the human, financial, and physical resources necessary to accomplish its purposes.
- Criterion 3. The institution is accomplishing its educational and other purposes.
- Criterion 4. The institution can continue to accomplish its purposes and strengthen its educational effectiveness.
- Criterion 5. The institution demonstrates integrity in its practices and relationships.
Estimated Cost of Pilot
None.
Conclusions
The accreditation status is readily available to the public through a variety of sources including the North Central Association Quarterly.
Recommendations for Performance Indicator:
Recommended for annual reporting beginning in 3rd Quarter, 1998.
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