Discussion 6: Accreditation and Assessment

Based on the readings and your exploration of the SACS website, answer the
following questions:
1 - In your opinion, what are the pros and cons related to assessment and
accreditation? One of the pros is that accreditation helps to maintain quality
standards for higher education. The con is that the quality standards are not mission
specific to institutions (Schray, p. 3). Another con is that accreditation does not
meet the growing demand for increased accountability to government, the general
public, and consumers, but it could be a pro in this area by placing emphasis on
performance outcomes (Schray, p 3). Also, a con of the accreditation system is that
it cannot meet the changing global scale of higher education brought on by distance
learning and accreditation standard may not be able to adequately address the
issue with peer review and volunteerism (Schray, p. 4). Finally, the accreditation
system lacks transparency that would hold it accountable to stakeholders (Schray,
p. 4).
2 - Are these practices doing what they should be doing? If so, how, and if
not, what do they need to do better? I think the practices are doing what they
were originally designed to do, raising a standard for higher education. However, I
think the practices must be changed to meet the needs of the current educational
structures and stakeholder demands.
There are arguments out there against assessment and accreditation -
how do you weigh in and why? I think that accreditation is necessary. However,
it should be geared toward a common grouping of institutions mission and size.
Vickie Schray (pg. 3 ) stated, the definition of performance excellence must
always be developed in relationship to institutional and program mission and the
performance of peers sharing similar missions.

Please use examples from the readings to back your views.

In addition to your answers, please post on the comments of at least 3 classmates.