Volume 72 - Spring / Summer 1999	Download

Executive Director’s Corner The Value of Accreditation by Olive M. Kimball, EdD Executive Director

Because NAACLS is in the business of accreditation, it is important that our constituencies understand what accreditation is and are able to articulate the benefits it brings. As noted in Roget's Thesaurus, accreditation is a process by which recognized authorities "endorse, support, certify, validate, authenticate, approve, authorize, warrant, or subscribe to an activity. " The process assumes that a recognized authority establishes certain standards that may be legal, professional, moral, or otherwise.

Speaking in general about accreditation in higher education, Milton Greenberg concludes that it resembles the concept of the rule of law in that pre-established standards of behavior (rather than whim, caprice, or post hoc determinations) control the administration of rules. (Greenberg, 1999).

Accreditation is a largely voluntary, non-governmental peer review process carried out by the higher education community. In general, accreditation, whether programmatic or institutional, involves three major activities: (1) a program self-study developed by faculty, administrators and staff based upon certain expectations about quality; (2) a site visit by a team of peers to review the program, to interview faculty and staff and to compile a report of their findings, and (3) a judgement made by a committee or board about the quality and integrity of the program, which is then communicated to the appropriate constituencies.

The aim of NAACLS accreditation is to assure academic quality and accountability, and to encourage improvement in laboratory related educational programs. Failure to receive NAACLS accreditation does have negative implications, but there are positive and public purposes which NAACLS accreditation serves.

. . . It provides assurance to students that the program offered meets predetermined professional standards of competency, and that it is contemporary, and provides for the health and safety of students and faculty.

. . . It assists the institution by publicly validating that the program meets the same standards as any other accredited competitors and it distinguishes it from programs that are not accredited.

. . . It announces that the program is worth support on the part of interested individuals in the form of time, money, or commitment.

NAACLS volunteers understand that accreditation is an integral part of the American system of higher education and should be linked to a program's ongoing assessment activities. They are required to respect and protect institutional autonomy, recognizing the ultimate authority of each academic community for its own educational policies while maintaining fundamental standards. NAACLS is responsible for fostering consideration of evolving needs and conditions in the profession and in the communities it serves.

Providing this quality of accreditation is a continuing challenge both to NAACLS and to the volunteers who generously serve the agency. The continuing education of volunteers is carried on through workshops, written materials, videotape, and more recently by teleconferences. If you are interested in becoming a new volunteer or learning more about any of these educational endeavors please let NAACLS know.

References

Tasks for Higher Education Accreditation, Greenberg, Milton. Published by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, Washington, DC. 1999.

Recognition of Accrediting Organizations: Policy and Procedures. Published by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, Washington, DC. 1998.

Code of Good Practice, The Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors, Chicago, IL. 1995.

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