CHEA Initiative Publishes Two New Papers

In Fall 2008, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) launched The CHEA Initiative, a multi-year national conversation on the future of accreditation. The Initiative sought to (1) enhance accountability in accreditation and (2) sustain a balance and distinction between accountability to the federal government and the academic work of accreditation–its focus on institutional mission and independence, peer/professional review and quality improvement. Through the Initiative, CHEA seeks to build a consensus for action on the issues of greatest importance to the accreditation and higher education communities, as well as prepare for the anticipated reauthorization of the Higher Education Act in 2013 or thereafter.

A recently published overview paper, The CHEA Initiative 2011-2012: The Fourth Year, provides an excellent overview of the first three years of the CHEA Initiative, and sets forth clear actions on how the initiative will reach its fourth-year goal.

“This CHEA paper is an excellent summary of current trends in voluntary accreditation, and a crystalline call to action for what accreditors must do if they are to have a fighting chance to salvage their role and purpose in education," said DETC Executive Director Michael P. Lambert. "Its advice is realistic and practical, and above all, critical, if accreditation is to survive the gathering political pressures to deform it that it faces today. The CHEA Initiative 2011-2012: The Fourth Year is a 'must read' document for any higher education leader who cares about the future of the enterprise.”

A copy of the paper is available on the CHEA website.

In addition to the Fourth Year summary, The CHEA Initiative also published recently its most recent CHEA Initiative White Paper, Quality Assurance in Higher Education in the Twenty-First Century and the Role of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

The CHEA Initiative White Paper provides a brief description of the role of federal and state government in higher education and the evolution of accreditation, with particular emphasis on the work of CHEA and suggestions for future action. The paper was authored by Fred F. Harcleroad, a former Chair of the DETC Accrediting Commission. Under his leadership, the Accrediting Commission developed standards for and expanded its scope to include academic degrees in the late 1970s.

A copy of the new CHEA Initiative White Paper is available on the CHEA website.

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