A CCSC W ebinar S eries: A C onversation with the E xecutive D irector July 30, 2013

1. ACCSCWebinarSeries: AConversation with the Executive Director July 30, 2013 Dr. Michale S. McComis Executive Director Christopher Lambert Associate Executive Director

2. Webinar Logistics • There may be a slight pause between slide transitions • The slideshow is interactive • Includes hyperlinks to various websites, forms, and Alerts referenced in the webinar. • TEXT heavy slides: Designed to Serve as a Resource for Schools • Please feel free to ask your questions by typing them into the webinar platform system. • Staff will do our very best to answer all questions, either during, or after, the webinar. • If you have an “institution specific” question, for example on your credit hour calculations, engaging with staff offline via email/phone is the best scenario. • A copy of the webinar will be made available at www.accsc.org under Events/ Webinars Section • A copy of the slides will be made available online • Opportunity to share this information with your staff for ongoing training and development.

3. Agenda • Update on ACCSC Standards and Policies • The July 1, 2013 Accreditation Alert • 2013 Annual Report • What Every ACCSC-Accredited Institution Needs to Know • An update on the Commission’s External Affairs Activities • Member Services: • The 2013 ACCSC Professional Development Conference

4. Update on ACCSC Standards and Policies: The July 1, 2013 Accreditation Alert

5. July 1, 2013 Accreditation Alert • Announcements • Reminder – Stay Connected to ACCSC Through Social Media • Reminder – ACCSC Graduate Letter Available for Download • Call for Nominations for Nominating Committee Members • New Policy– Independent Third-Party Employment Verification • Click here to download the July 1, 2013 Alert.

6. July 1, 2013 Accreditation Alert • Reminder – Stay Connected to ACCSC Through Social Media • Last year the Commission announced that ACCSC had established a Facebook page and a Twitter account in order to disseminate important information regarding ACCSC, changes to accreditation policies or standards, and important announcements. • The intent is to reach a far broader audience – beyond the school managers with contact information on file with ACCSC • The Commission strongly believes that the more individuals who are knowledgeable about the ACCSC-accreditation process, the greater the opportunity for institutions to continuously improve and maintain on-going compliance with accrediting standards. • Click here to download the July 1, 2013 Alert.

7. July 1, 2013 Accreditation Alert • Reminder – ACCSC Graduate Letter Available for Download • ACCSC issued a letter that schools may download and distribute to graduates upon completion of their program of study. The intent of the letter is • to congratulate graduates on the successful completion of their programs of study and • to encourage graduates to maintain contact with their institutions and to report on their successes in finding employment, need for employment assistance, or to provide feedback regarding the education and training received. • The hope is to assist schools in building on existing connections with graduates for the purposes of strengthening employment reporting. • The ACCSC Graduation Letter can be downloaded from the ACCSC website or by clicking here.

8. July 1, 2013 Accreditation Alert • Call for Nominations for Nominating Committee Members • ACCSC is seeking the nomination of individuals from its membership of accredited institutions to stand for election to the Nominating Committee which plays an important role in vetting and recommending candidates to stand for election as an ACCSC Commissioner. • The Bylaws require the election of one (1) school member representative each year to the Nominating Committee. Individuals interested in standing for election to the ACCSC Nominating Committee should complete the Nomination Form return it to the Commission office no later than August 1, 2013.

9. July 1, 2013 Accreditation Alert New Policy– Independent Third-Party Employment Verification In 2011 ACCSC began engaging an independent third-party to verify the employment data submitted by schools selected as part of the annual random sample of the Annual Reports, which has been a successful monitoring mechanism. • The Commission has decided to implement an independent third-party employment verification requirement as part of the initial and renewal of accreditation process. • The purpose of the requirement is • to assess the school’s compliance with Section VII (B)(1)(b), Substantive Standards, Standards of Accreditation and whether the school has “verifiable” records of employment and • to ensure that the institution’s records can be relied upon in making decisions about a school’s compliance with the Commission’s student achievement standards and benchmarks.

10. The Independent Third-Party Employment Data Verification policy will go into effect for all schools that attend an initial or renewal workshop after January 1, 2014. • The Commission’s new policy will require that initial and renewal applicants engage an independent third-party auditor to verify the school’s most recently reported employment data that will be used for the on-site evaluation process. • The Commission, at this time, has identified two independent third-party employment data verification auditors that the Commission’s has deemed meet the definition of “independent.” • If a school chooses to use a different independent third-party employment verification auditor, that auditor must meet the following tests to be considered an “Independent” Third-Party. • The Commission is working earnestly to revise the Initial/Renewal of Accreditation Applications and Self-Evaluation Report to include this new requirement and the new forms will be posted to the website in advance of January 1, 2014.

11. July 1, 2013 Accreditation Alert • Revisions • Appendix I – Accreditation Fees, Substantive Standards, Standards of Accreditation • Appendix II – Application, Reports, and Forms, Substantive Standards, Standards of Accreditation: Instructions for the Preparation and Submission of Financial Statements and related Information. • Click here to download the July 1, 2013 Alert.

12. Appendix I – Accreditation Fees, Substantive Standards, Standards of Accreditation.

13. Appendix II –Instructions for the Preparation and Submission of Financial Statements and related Information. • The Commission has made revisions to the Instructions for the Preparation and Submission of Financial Statements and Related Information. The primary changes include the following: • A general reorganization and enhanced codification to aid in the clarity of the instructions. • The inclusion of an exception to accept financial statements on a cash-basis of accounting from public institutions whose oversight authority prepares the institution’s financial statements on the cash-basis of accounting and when the financial statements are accepted by all other applicable regulatory agencies with oversight responsibility in this area. • The inclusion of language from Section V (E)(1), Rules of Process and Procedure, Standards of Accreditation, which states that the school must notify ACCSC – in writing and within 10 calendar days of the event’s occurrence – of any material event or circumstance that could affect the school’s financial status.

14. Accreditation SPOTLIGHT Section V (E), Rules of Process and Procedure, Standards of Accreditation

15. Section V, Rules of Process and Procedure, Standards of Accreditation • Each accredited school and each applicant for initial accreditation must notify ACCSC of any material event or circumstance that could affect the school’s operations, policies, staff, curricula, reputation, approval status or authority to operate as a legal entity, or financial status. • Such notification must be in writing, made within 10 calendar days of the event’s occurrence, and is in addition to disclosures that are required in the applications for initial or renewal of accreditation or any substantive change report. • Material events or circumstances necessitating such notification include but are not limited to: • Filings of petitions for bankruptcy or reorganization; • Destruction of the school or a significant part of its facilities; • Any limitation, sanction (e.g., probationary status), suspension, or revocation of a school’s license or right to operate; • Cessation of teaching;

16. Member Resources SPOTLIGHT Section II A (5), Substantive Standards, Standards of Accreditation

17. Member Resources: Section II (A)(5), Substantive Standards, Standards of Accreditation Each school has an independent Program Advisory Committee for each occupational program or each group of related occupational programs The purpose of the Program Advisory Committee is to review the established curricula of the program, instructional-related program materials, equipment and facilities, and student achievement outcomes as a means to provide the school with an external review of its programs. Program Advisory Committees must be comprised of appropriately qualified representatives external to the institution (i.e., nonschool employees) who can provide a meaningful review of the school’s programs and supporting resources and materials.

18. Member Resources: Section II (A)(5)(d), Substantive Standards, Standards of Accreditation At least two regularly scheduled meetings must be conducted annually, one of which must be held at the school. Written and detailed minutes of each meeting must be maintained and include a description of all members in attendance (i.e., titles and affiliations); the date, time, and location of the meeting; and a comprehensive and clear description of the review of and commentary made by the school representatives and the Program Advisory Committee members.

19. Taking Effective Minutes

20. Taking Effective Minutes • The staff assigned to take the minutes should have a strong understanding of the program in question and not simply an administrative staff person with no real understanding of the program (terminology/acronyms, etc.) • Otherwise, the minutes might not accurately reflect the Advisory Boards review and commentary. • Did you get the SRC and TLCS from the RTSR regarding the PACR from Q3 that has been scheduled for the CM? • What? • Advisory Board meeting minutes serve as the official record of the review and commentary on the school’s program, objectives, equipment, etc. • Accordingly, this document is evaluated by the accrediting body in order to determine compliance with applicable accreditation standards. • It is crucial that these minutes accurately reflect the substantive nature of the Advisory Boards review.

21. Taking Effective Minutes • At a minimum, the minutes from any Advisory Board meeting, whether face to face, or via telecommunications, must demonstrate a review and commentary of all required areas, and must show an exchange of ideas and perspectives. • Incorporate the required elements from Section II (A)(5), Substantive Standards, Standards of Accreditation onto the agenda • Too often, the minutes are vague and unclear and do not afford the Commission with an opportunity to evaluate the school’s efforts in this regard. • Avoid Generalizations: • Equipment is in good shape, facilities are clean, graduate employment is strong, curriculum is comprehensive. • Respectfully Submitted, • Beyond compliance, it makes sense, given all of the effort, time, and energy that went into recruiting Advisory Board members, scheduling meetings, and ensuring a strong turn-out, that the minutes accurately reflect the Advisory Board’s review.

22. Track 4 - CAREER SERVICES August 1, 2013 9:15 am – 10:30 am Session 1: “Creating Effective Advisory Boards” The opportunity to obtain input, feedback, and ideas from employers with a vested interest in the success of graduates is a crucial component to the growth and improvement of any postsecondary institution. This session will discuss how Advisory Committees can play a critical role in helping an institution structure and improve their program offerings and services by ensuring that the established curriculum, program objectives, and equipment stay relevant to today’s dynamic workplace.

23. Member Resources • Webinar: Maximizing Program Advisory CommitteesSlides • Understanding the Role of Program Advisory Committees • Identifying and Recruiting PAC Members • Planning for a Successful Meeting • Maintaining and Improving Program Advisory Committee Effectiveness • Retaining, Rewarding, and Recognizing Members • How to Respond to a Commission Action

24. 2013 ACCSC Annual Report: What Every ACCSC Accredited Institution Should Know

25. 2013 ACCSC Annual Report: What Every ACCSC Accredited Institution Should Know • The electronic submission of the 2013 ACCSC Annual Report is required for all ACCSC-accredited institutions (Main School and Branch) that received accreditation prior to July 1, 2013 and is due on or before October 30, 2013. • Passwords utilized by institutions to access the 2012 Annual Report are still in effect and should be used to access the 2013 Annual Report. • Passwords for schools completing the Annual Report for the first time in 2013 were emailed in early July. • It is important to note that failure to submit a complete Annual Report by the October 30, 2013 due date will result in a $500.00 late fee assessment and may result in a Commission action such as a Show Cause Order or other action as afforded to the Commission under ACCSC's Rules.

26. 2013 ACCSC Annual Report: What Every ACCSC Accredited Institution Should Know • New for 2013: ACCSC established a $100 AR processing fee to cover costs associated with processing and analyzing Annual Report data and conducting an annual independent third-party employment data verification audit of a random sample of Annual Reports.   • The Annual Report fee will be part of the annual sustaining fees. • Schools should take the time to update the school director name and the official correspondence names and e-mail addresses in the School Info tab since ACCSC will send official correspondence, these e-mail addresses. • These updates can be done throughout the year (beyond October 2013) • Plus, don’t forget to sign up for our Twitter & Facebook accounts.

27. 2013 ACCSC Annual Report: What Every ACCSC Accredited Institution Should Know • Keep in mind, the programs listed in the Annual Report reflect the names, clock hours and credit hours as of June 30, 2013. Any modifications after this time will be reflected in next year’s Annual Report. • In order to submit to successfully complete the Annual Report, the total number of students enrolled as of June 30, 2013 in the combined Program Enrollment Summaries must equal the total enrollments as of June 30, 2013 in the Annual Report section. • Therefore, it might be better to complete the Program Enrollment Summaries first and come back to the Annual Report section. • For additional assistance or information, please contact the Commission office at (703) 247-4212 and ask to speak with a member of our 2013 Annual Report Support Team or by sending an e-mail.

28. External Affairs Update • Testimony in Front of the House Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training • Negotiated Rulemaking: Gainful Employment • ACCSC On the Road

29. House Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training Hearing • “Keeping College Within Reach: Discussing Program Quality Through Accreditation” • “…expectations of accreditors by the federal government are changing, • such that accreditors are subject to far greater federal oversight than at any time in the past.” • MACRO ISSUES • Outcomes • Accreditation Areas of Focus • Transparency • Transfer of Credit • Credit Hour Definition and Clock Hour Conversion • Changing Accreditors • MICRO ISSUES • Appeals Process • Substantive Change

30. Negotiated Rulemaking: Gainful Employment • On June 12, 2013, the Department published a notice in the Federal Register announcing our intention to establish a negotiated rulemaking committee to prepare proposed regulations to establish standards for programs that prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation. • Only July 9, 2013, the national institutional accreditation community, in order to fairly represent the interests and responsibilities of accreditation, nominated • negotiators: • Primary Negotiator: Dr. Michale McComis, ACCSC • Secondary Negotiator: Dr. Albert Gray, ACICS • …we strongly believe that they will fairly represent the interests and responsibilities of accrediting agencies in the essential collaborative approach of the negotiated rule-making process.

31. ACCSC On-the-Road • Pennsylvania Association of Private School Administrators Annual Conference • August 1, 2013 Educational Breakout Session: Creating Effective Advisory Boards • California Association of Private Postsecondary Schools Annual Conference (Oct 9-11) • Accreditor’s Panel • Career Colleges and Schools of Texas Annual Conference (Oct 2-4) • Best Practices in Accreditation Session • Member Forum

32. Focuson Member Services • The 2013 Professional Development Conference

33. Focus on Member Services • Professional Development Conference • September 11-13, 2013 • Gaylord National – Washington. DC • Program is FINAL • Focus on Best Practices of High Performing Institutions • Student Services, Career Services, Enriching Curriculum, Employment Verification • Hear Directly from the Leadership at ACCSC • Preparing for a ACCSC Visit, Preparing an Effective Response for Commission Consideration, Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act • Key Note Speaker • Dr. David Longanecker, Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education • Award Ceremony / Networking Reception • Recognition of Graduate of the Year, Commitment to Education, Community Service, Schools of Distinction, and Schools of Excellence

34. Online Member Forum: Questions & Answers

35. ACCSCWebinarSeries: AConversation with the Executive Director July 30, 2013 Dr. Michale S. McComis Executive Director Christopher Lambert Associate Executive Director