ACCET Accreditation Workshop

1. September 13-14, 2010 Irvine, California ACCET Accreditation Workshop Completion & Placement Curriculum Mission Finances Curriculum Revision Financial Procedures Admissions Instructional Personnel Instructional Delivery Instructional Methods Communication Recruitment Governance Enrollment Student Services Personnel Management Attendance Planning Evaluation & Documentation Student Progress ACCREDITING COUNCIL FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION & TRAINING

2. Introduction of Presenters • Scott Faulstick - Senior Accreditation Coordinator • Chair: Program Review Committee  • Co-Chair: Application Review Committee  (Initial) • Commission Liaison: Appeals Panel • Linsay Oakden - Accreditation Coordinator • Chair: Branching Review Committee • Commission Liaison: Completion/Placement Review Committee 

3. Introduction to ACCET Staff • Roger J. Williams - Executive Director  • Charles Matterson - Associate Executive Director • Chair: On-Site Evaluation Review Committee • Commission Liaison: Financial Review Committee  • Judy Hendrickson - Associate Executive Director • Chair: Change of Ownership Review Committee • Commission Liaison: Standards & Policy Review Committee • ISO 9001:2000 Manager

4. Introduction to ACCET Staff • John Gregg - Accreditation Coordinator • Co-Chair: Application Review Committee  (Reaccred.) • Kristin Georger - Accreditation Coordinator • Commission Liaison: Financial Review Committee

5. Introduction to ACCET Staff • Commission Representatives (Outside): • Vickey Hey • Thomas Tillia • Julia Laughland • Administrative Staff: • Anneka Swamy, Operations Administrator • Mischelle Boatwright, Administrative Assistant • Katelyn Schreyer, Administrative Assistant

6. Introduction by Attendees • Name • Title

7. Overview • Establishment of Agency • Established in 1974 as a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation by continuing education providers, principally associated with the Dale Carnegie organization. • Diversity/Scope of Membership • Approximately 640 training sites (approx. 50% vocational & 50% avocational/professional development). Members offer continuing education, certificate and diploma programs, Occupational Associate Degrees (OAD), and interactive distance education (IDL).

8. Overview • Recognition of ACCET • “Recognized" by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) as a "reliable authority“ for the evaluation of postsecondary institutions since 1978. • ACCET received a 5-year grant of recognition (the maximum length) in 2007. • ACCET certified under ISO 9001: 2000 international standards as a Quality Management System since 1998.

9. Overview • Institutional Accreditation • ACCET evaluates post-secondary institutions/organizations, in accordance with 33 Standards for Accreditation. • Colleagues/Peer Review • Member institutions viewed as colleagues, not customers, and the public interest is both primary and complementary to ACCET’s mission. • ACCET Accrediting Commission, volunteers, evaluators and staff provide professional peer expertise, with working knowledge and experience in the field.

10. Overview • ACCET Accrediting Commission • An autonomous eleven-member Accrediting Commission, with six institutional (elected) members, and five public (appointed) members, has ultimate authority over ACCET activities. • ACCET Staff • Ten staff and four contract field representatives conduct the day-to-day operations under the authority delegated to the Executive Director.

11. Overview • Self-Regulation • Accreditation is a non-governmental, voluntary oversight process to assess and enhance the integrity and quality of education/training offered by postsecondary institutions. • A reliable methodology is utilized to evaluate operational functions for systematic and effective implementation and to identify areas for institutional self-improvement.

12. Overview • Standards, Policies and Procedures • Standards for Accreditation (Document 2) are the guiding criteria under which the Accrediting Commission exercises its professional judgment. • Standards were last revised, with the approval of the membership, effective October 2005. • Policies and procedures are adopted by the Accrediting Commission, following appropriate call-for-comment, to augment and facilitate the interpretation of the standards in order to assure sound operational practices.

13. Purpose and Benefit of Accreditation • Quality Assurance • As “A Partnership for Quality®”, the ACCET accreditation process represents an organizational commitment to standards, practices, and processes focused on operational integrity and quality training. • This peer review evaluation process serves to inspire continuing education and training that is current, relevant and educationally sound.

14. Purpose and Benefit of Accreditation Gatekeeper Functions • Title IV Funding • Accredited vocational institutions are eligible to seek approval for federal student aid (e.g.Pell Grants, Direct Loans, FFEL, Plus) Department of Homeland Security • Department of Homeland Security • Intensive English Programs and other accredited institutions may seek authorization from the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (BICE) to enroll foreign, non-immigrant students under F, M, and J visas. Additionally, the recertification process is simplified for accredited schools. • Department of Defense Programs • Tuition reimbursement for military personnel is limited to enrollment at postsecondary institutions accredited by agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. • State and Local Funding Programs • Accreditation assists institutions in pursuing contractual affiliations with welfare, rehabilitation, and other workforce development programs.

15. Purpose and Benefit of Accreditation • Training Contracts -  • Accreditation assists institutions seeking contracts with corporations and government agencies, which often require accreditation as a condition to bid on training proposals. • Directory/Website Listings • ACCET accredited institutions are listed in the following directories utilized by corporate, government, and military agencies to identify credible educational organizations when establishing tuition reimbursement policies: • American Council on Education (ACE) directory of Accredited Institutions of Postsecondary Education • Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) website at www.chea.org/search • edu Domain: • Accreditation permits institutions to file with Educause for the use of the .edu domain for email and website addresses.

16. Embrace the Process • Take a proactive approach to the process • Maintain an institutional-wide commitment to the process • Emphasize outcomes – achieving specified learning goals • Strive for continuous improvement through ongoing internal review

17. ACCREDITATION Schedule and General Overview .

18. Accreditation Process/Timeframe(Approximately 12 months) • Application (Doc. 4) submitted by institution  • Application reviewed by ACCET staff (2-4 Months) • Additional information requested by ACCET (if necessary) • Attendance at Accreditation Workshop • Preparation & submission of electronic Analytic Self-Evaluation Report (eASER) by institution • On-site team visit & Team Report (2-day visit & Team Report sent within 30 days of visit) • Institution’s response to Team Report (due within 14 days) • Accrediting Commission’s review and decision • Commission letter (within 30 days of Commission Meeting

19. Application for Accreditation Document 4

20. Accreditation Review Schedule

21. Overview of Electronic Analytic Self-Evaluation Report (eASER) Documents: 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.2/3ESL (Combined) Overlay Templates: 3.ESL, 3.VESL, 3.IDL, 3.OAD, 3.MT, 3.NAH

22. Developing the eASER • Obtain support at the highest level • Commit resources • Start early • Assign a champion

23. Developing the eASER • Involve the entire staff • Conduct regular meetings • Develop/implement new policies and procedures, as needed • Tell the “story” of your institution

24. Developing the eASER • Use the current and appropriate ACCET Document 3 • Gather supporting documentation • Assemble the eASER  • EDIT, EDIT, EDIT

25. Structure of Your eASER Narrative • Title Page • Table of Contents • Institutional Summary Profile • Written narrative addressing the eight standards (33 subsections) • Standards that do not apply

26. Supporting Documentation • Documents supplementing narrative response to questions and requirements • Types of exhibits • Representative sample • Cross-referenced in eASER/BASER narrative

27. Any Additional Sites • Must be referenced in: • The application (Document 4) • eASER/BASER

28. Two Ways to Submission ASER 1) Submit eASER/BASER in CD format: Due to the ACCET office by November 12, 2010 eASER/BASER copied onto CD’s: • 2 copies to ACCET • 1 copy to each team member On-site fees and Document 8 Form

29. Two Ways to Submission ASER 2) Test Drive the new ACCET database You may choose to pilot the new ACCET database and submit all ASER information online, using the new ACCET Management System. Extension of ASER due date (not Doc 8 and fees) to December 5, 2010

30. Database Demonstration

31. Need Help…. • Call ACCET for assistance: • Our staff is here to help you. • Never hesitate to call with any questions, concerns, or for guidance.

32. On-Site Review Team • Team composition: • Management Specialist/Chair • Curriculum Specialist(s) • Commission Representative

33. On-Site Review Team Selection • No conflict real or perceived • Approved by institution • All materials confidential

34. Visit Materials • To be sent electronically by ACCET before the visit: • Confirmation letter  • Checklist of materials to be available for team  • Memorandum for on-site team visit  • Team member roster  • Letter of invitation sent to state licensing agency

35. Team Member Responsibilities • Prior to the Visit: • Review ACCET Documents • Study eASER • Identify issues for Clarification

36. Team Member Responsibilities • During the Visit: • Validate eASER representations • Observe, interview, collect data/documentation • Confer in team meetings • Summarize pertinent facts • Discuss/propose ratings, strengths, weaknesses • Write assigned standards for Team Report

37. Preparation for the Visit • Provide for the Team: • Private room/space for the team • Documents requested on the Preparation Checklist • Any changes since the submittal of eASER • Current organizational chart

38. Preparation Checklist for ACCET On-Site Examination Visit • A complete paper copy of the institution’s eASER/BASER, including all exhibits. • A completed copy of the program chart listing all approved programs and enrollment/staffing information (see www.accet.org/Documents and Forms/Fillable Documents). • A complete roster of all active students, including start dates, and a listing of students on leave of absence (LOA). • A listing of all students who graduated, withdrew, or were terminated within the past 12 months. • List of all students by name, program title, certificate/license sought, and date of graduation who were eligible for, attempted, or attained certification/licensure within the past 12 months (Vocational). • A current organizational chart with names and job titles. • An updated staff turnover listing and calculated rates (separately for full/part time) since the submission of the eASER/BASER. • Schedules for all faculty and administrative staff during the visit, including room locations, break times, office/teaching hours, and courses/classes being taught.

39. Preparation Checklist for ACCET On-Site Examination Visit • Correspondence files of all communications with ACCET, state and federal agencies. • Administrative operations/procedures manual. if not included in its entirety in the eASER/BASER. • Personnel policies/employee handbook, if not included in its entirety in the eASER/BASER. • A listing of who is responsible for and the location of personnel records for all employees, including any new or updated resumes or ACCET Document 6s - Personnel Form, job descriptions, and performance evaluations. • Minutes of all staff and faculty meetings for the past 12 months • ACCET Document 50FR – On-site Examination Team Financial Review Checklist. • ACCET Document 50FA – On-site Financial Aid Review Checklist/ Guidelines(Title IV eligible). • ACCET Document 50I – On-site Immigration Compliance Checklist/ Guidelines(Institutions authorized to enroll F1/M1 visa students). • State-licensing agency's cancellation and refund policy (if applicable). • Complete sets of curricular materials, including syllabi, lesson plans/ instructor guides, testing and evaluation tools, text materials, and student performance standards

40. Preparation Checklist for ACCET On-Site Examination Visit • Current school catalog and completed ACCET Document 29 - Catalog Guidelines and Checklist(Vocational) • Current enrollment agreement and completed ACCET Document 29.2 - Enrollment Agreement Checklist(Vocational). NOTE: Avocational institutions must provide only a copy of their enrollment agreement/student application • Sample entrance examinations/criteria/test scores used to accept students (i) with a high school diploma/GED and/or (ii) who are admitted on a designated ability-to-benefit admissions basis • Samples of all advertising/promotional materials used by the school at any time during the past 12 months • Most recent fire and safety inspection certificates • Year-to-date ACCET Document 28.1 - Completion and Placement Statistics for each program (Vocational) • Names and email addresses of current students, graduates in the last 12 months, and 10 employers. • ACCET Document 12 – Annual Report and Enrollment Statistics completed for your institution’s most recent fiscal year ending (Initial Applicants).

41. The Visit • Introductory meeting • Tour of facility • Information gathering process • Exit briefing

42. Team Report • Consensus document • Draft report reviewed and verified by Team Chair • Team Report sent electronically to institution within 30 days of visit

43. Team ReportACCET Rating Scale • 4 – Exceeds standard • 3 - Acceptable and meets standard • 2 - Weak, some changes needed to meet standard • 1 - Unacceptable, major changes needed to meet standard

44. Responding to Weaknesses • Submit response within 14 calendar days of receipt of Team Report. • Respond in response boxes embedded in Team Report. • Prepare response with the same thought and thoroughness as eASER/BASER. • Address any weakness cited in Team Report and referenced to a specific standard.

45. Responding to Weaknesses • Link and clearly reference the exhibits that support response. • Ensure that response clearly reflects understanding of : • Cited weakness(es), • Corrective action taken, and • Evidence that corrective actions were systematically and effectively implemented. • Submit ASER online – respond to team report online.

46. Commission Meeting • Possible Commission Actions: • Accredit/Approve • Defer • Deny  • Consensus Process • Written notification sent electronically (within 30 days of Commission Meeting) • Official Commission’s actions not revealed, prior to Commission letters being sent

47. ACCET Accreditation Standards • Mission • Management • Finances • Curricula • Instructional Delivery  • Instructional Personnel • Admissions and Student Services • Evaluation

48. Mission A school's mission statement is a constant reminder to its employees of why the school exists and what the founders envisioned when they put their fame and fortune at risk to breathe life into their dreams. Woe to the school that loses sight of its Mission Statement for it has taken the first step on the slippery slope to failure.

49. Standard I - Mission A. Mission Statement: • The institution clearly states its mission, thereby providing a definitive basis upon which to deliver and assess the education and training programs in an ethical, quality management environment.  • The reasons for offering the education and training are consistent with the institution’s mission and are documented by either a needs assessment or market experience.

50. Consider this… • A Mission Statement communicates the institution’s purpose and objectives. • The mission contains your school's "winning idea" - separates you from your competitors. • Is the institution meeting its mission? What criteria is used to measure success?