Focusing Accreditation on Quality Improvement

With accreditation reaffirmation comes the opportunity for quality assurance and continuous quality improvement-a chance to focus on organizational excellence and student success. Yet, in recent years, a disconnect developed between California's community colleges and Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) about whether or not the current process in fact promotes a focus on continuous quality improvement. In 2010, the RP Group conducted a research project that offers contextual information about accreditation policies and practices nationwide and seeks to engender a productive discussion among ACCJC, the state's community colleges and key constituent groups about how these findings might assist in optimizing the accreditation process for true quality improvement.

The research offers a series of key findings regarding how commissions might: (a) set the stage for quality improvement, (b) develop their relationship with member colleges, (c) support institutions in achieving reaffirmation, (d) consistently apply standards and effectively use sanctions throughout a review and (e) generate a positive return on an institution's investment. At the same time, colleges and their constituent groups have an important role in supporting quality improvement; the research also specifically addresses the responsibilities of institutions in the accreditation process.

Preliminary research findings were shared with a broad range of stakeholders including ACCJC staff; the chief executive officers, trustee, chief instructional officers and chief student service officers boards; the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges' executive committee; the California Community Colleges Chancellor's cabinet and the Consultation Council's accreditation taskforce.

These meetings were notable for two things. First, all parties were eager to explore ways to enhance the accreditation process and improve the relationship between ACCJC and the colleges. For example, both the commission staff and numerous constituency groups noted that they were encouraged by the trainings that were jointly presented by the commission and various practitioner organizations during 2010, with the new interactive components being especially appreciated by the field.

Second, clear themes emerged about specific changes that could be made so that accreditation fosters excellence and ensures that minimum standards are consistently met. These changes involve amending existing standards and accreditation processes, strengthening training and support and building collaborations among constituency groups, colleges and accrediting agencies to provide this support.

These changes are ones that would be most effectively implemented through a partnership of ACCJC, its member institutions and practitioner groups that can help to augment key functions such as offering training, sharing effective practices and providing support to colleges at risk of not meeting accreditation standards.