2008 Woodie Awards
Dept. of Education considers accreditation system changes for colleges
by Kelly Durkin
Issue date: 3/6/07 Section: News
The U.S. Department of Education began exploring changes in the college accreditation system last week in an attempt to address problems of accountability in higher education. The changes stem from findings reported by the Commission on the Future of Higher Education, which convened last fall.
Jan Friis, vice president of Government Affairs for the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, said the commission provided 30 recommendations ranging from changing applications for student loans to providing more information about institutions to students and parents.
While some of the recommendations are excellent, others are not as valid, Friis said.
One of the more controversial recommendations involves gathering more detailed information for people who are interested in higher education.
Vickie Schray, deputy director for management and planning of the Commission on the Future of Higher Education, said the current data system is traditionally-based, focusing only on students attending college immediately after high school and graduating in four years.
"The information we have are about half that attend college and does not account for non-traditional students, like part-time students," Schray said.
This detailed information is important because it would enable a more appropriate allocation of federal funds, she said. Approximately $80 billion per year is allocated for federal aid.
Frank Murray, professor of education and psychology and president of the Teacher Education Accreditation Council, said accreditation could be a means to find that information.
Murray said the current accreditation process is voluntary, meaning that institutions ask accreditors to compare self-studies to a university's mission and goals.
One of the main purposes of accreditation is "public assurance of a quality institution," he said. More importantly, institutions cannot receive Title IV funds such as Pell Grants and federal aid if they are not accredited, Murray said.
Jan Friis, vice president of Government Affairs for the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, said the commission provided 30 recommendations ranging from changing applications for student loans to providing more information about institutions to students and parents.
While some of the recommendations are excellent, others are not as valid, Friis said.
One of the more controversial recommendations involves gathering more detailed information for people who are interested in higher education.
Vickie Schray, deputy director for management and planning of the Commission on the Future of Higher Education, said the current data system is traditionally-based, focusing only on students attending college immediately after high school and graduating in four years.
"The information we have are about half that attend college and does not account for non-traditional students, like part-time students," Schray said.
This detailed information is important because it would enable a more appropriate allocation of federal funds, she said. Approximately $80 billion per year is allocated for federal aid.
Frank Murray, professor of education and psychology and president of the Teacher Education Accreditation Council, said accreditation could be a means to find that information.
Murray said the current accreditation process is voluntary, meaning that institutions ask accreditors to compare self-studies to a university's mission and goals.
One of the main purposes of accreditation is "public assurance of a quality institution," he said. More importantly, institutions cannot receive Title IV funds such as Pell Grants and federal aid if they are not accredited, Murray said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Susan Goodman
posted 3/09/07 @ 6:28 PM EST
A well written,scholarly look at a very important subject: accreditation,which a lot of people do not know much about, but should.
Good job.
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