The CHEA Initiative is a multiyear advocacy effort to influence
public confidence and government involvement in accreditation. The
initiative has two goals: (1) to further strengthen accreditation,
thereby enhancing public confidence and trust in peer/professional
review and self-regulation; and (2) to focus federal oversight of
accreditation more directly on issues related to institutional viability
and the use of federal funds, rather than the academic policy issues
that are primarily the province of colleges and universities.
Work Plan:
During 2008–09, CHEA initiated a national dialogue on the
future of accreditation, involving the academic and accreditation
communities as well as the public. Based on these meetings, CHEA has
identified the following broad issues that will form the basis for
continued discussion in 2009–10:
Advocacy for accreditation.
Accreditation's relationship with the federal government.
Accreditation and accountability.
Accreditation's relationship with state governments.
The relationship between institutions and accrediting
organizations.
The relationships among accreditors.
Accomplishments:
CHEA held 15 conversations and consultations on the future of
accreditation during 2008–09, including national accreditation
fora open to professionals and the public, meetings with accrediting
commissions, CEO/CAO Roundtables, and constituent meetings with
institutions, accreditors, and associations. These conversations
resulted in the identification of the six major areas that will form the
basis of future discussion. CHEA also commissioned six white papers on
the future of accreditation that are available on the CHEA web site.
Upcoming Activities:
The six issues identified in 2008–09 will form the basis of
discussion in 2009–10. CHEA is planning the following
conversations with key constituents:
National Accreditation Fora: open to the public and all interested
parties.
Meetings with accrediting organizations’
commissions and boards, as invited.
CEO/CAO Roundtables with CHEA member institutions.
