The author provides an overview of the types of accreditation available for postsecondary institutions and the organizations that issue accreditation. (CH)

Explores what should and should not be expected of voluntary accreditation and how the process can be strengthened for even greater effectiveness. (Editor)

Accreditation is a process intended to evaluate and assure educational quality. The Council on Postsecondary Accreditation (COPA) is the national organization whose primary purpose is to support, coordinate, and improve all non-governmental accrediting activities at the postsecondary level in the United States. Describes the organization's…

Nongovernmental accreditation of institutions and programs, a uniquely American process, is discussed. Institutions are shown to bear a large responsibility for making accreditation work as a major tool for improvement. The accreditation process, specialized accreditation, and future developments are described. (Author/LB)

The president of the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation (COPA) answers some basic questions about accreditation, describes what COPA is and does, and notes how it relates to other organizations involved in or affected by accreditation. He calls COPA the "balance wheel" meshing many accreditation forces for smooth operation. (MF)

Accreditation is examined in a book designed to be both a general reference and training tool. Many aspects of accreditation are covered: how it works, its impact, why it is often misunderstood or misused, how it is being adapted to educational innovations, and how it can be used to improve educational quality. The authors discuss the growth of…

Trustees should ask certain questions that will bring them closer to the attitude and approach of accreditation. These might include: What does this institution expect its graduates to know? How do we evaluate success? Processes of accreditation, which focus on education quality and institutional integrity can be applied. (Author/LBH)

Noting that the concept of postsecondary education is changing the idea of what an institution is, the author summarizes the various means of evaluating institutions (by federal government, state governments, private agencies, and the institutions themselves) and emphasizes the need for institutions to define expected outcomes and work toward…

This booklet presents a collection of essays on issues in accreditation of teacher education. Each author presents the perspective of his or her particular interest group. Kenneth E. Young, of The Council on Postsecondary Accreditation, provides a historical review of past issues and current developments. Frederick R. Cyphert and Nancy Lusk…

New pressures on accreditation and the unique factors that are the foundation of its continuing value to postsecondary education are addressed. The expanding variety of institutions to be accredited, government regulation, state authorization, legal sanctions, and self-regulation are also discussed. (Author/LBH)

Institutional eligibility to receive federal funds as determined by the Office of Education is examined. The coordinated use of accreditation and accrediting agencies in the eligibility process is recommended. Priorities are presented to resolve the problems of determining institutional eligibility. (BH)