SACS Expectations Regarding Assessment and Institutional Effectiveness

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) is the recognized regional accrediting body in eleven U.S. Southern states and Latin America (http://www.sacscoc.org/index.asp). The current criteria for institutional accreditation can be found at http://www.sacscoc.org/pdf/PrinciplesOfAccreditation.PDF. An excerpt from the criteria document provides a general framework with respect to assessment and institutional effectiveness:

The quality and effectiveness of education provided by each member institution are major considerations in accreditation decisions. Although evaluation of educational quality and effectiveness is a difficult task requiring careful analysis and professional judgment, each member institution is expected to document quality and effectiveness by employing a comprehensive system of planning and evaluation in all major aspects of the institution. (p. 17)

More specific expectations are detailed in the document found at:

http://www.sacscoc.org/pdf/PrinciplesOfAccreditation.PDF.

Core requirements are described in Section II and comprehensive standards are outlined in Section III.

Because best practice in assessment and institutional effectiveness continue to evolve, SACS accreditation expectations will also evolve. We recommend that you bookmark the homepage for the Commission on Colleges (http://www.sacscoc.org/index.asp) and return to it periodically.

Resources

Student Learning Outcomes and Accreditation Standards (Suskie, 2006)