My how time flies when you're having fun. Seems like fall is in the air and temperatures are cooling. Not so much for the accreditation environment as some actions remain in the news.

 

Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools in the news: 

On September 22, 2016, the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) announced its decision to terminate recognition of the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS). Earlier this year, the USDE's National Advisory Council on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI) recommended to Secretary of Education King to deny renewal of recognition of the ACICS. The NACIQI and Department of Education report identified 21 areas in which ACICS was out of compliance with applicable regulations. The USDE's decision is based on how well ACICS can respond to the deficiencies in a timely manner. In the letter to ACICS, the USDE did not think the ACICS could adequately address the multitude of deficiencies identified. Under Law, "an accrediting agency that is out of compliance cannot have its recognition renewed" (USDE letter 22 September 2016). 

 

ACICS will enter into the appeals process. Stay tuned. ACICS accredited institutions enroll approximately 600,000 students. The ultimate outcome of the process will have significant implications for the students of those independent colleges and schools accredited by ACICS.

 

The ultimate take-away from this action is the need for all accreditors to attend to established standards and guidelines in our actions and to remain diligent in our duties. CAAHEP has a sound record of compliance and each of our CoAs works to adhere to our established standards and guidelines and policies and procedures for accreditation actions.    

 

Accreditation Reform and Enhanced Accountability Act of 2016: 

Other noteworthy news is the introduction of the Accreditation Reform and Enhanced Accountability Act of 2016 (AREAA), sponsored by Senators Warren (D-MA), Durbin (D-IL), and Schatz (D-HI). While the likelihood of the bill's passage in this Congress is questionable, the issue may resurface in the next Congress. The AREAA calls for the establishment of standards for student outcomes (e.g., graduation rates, loan repayment rates, loan default rates, job placement rates, etc.). The bill covers other elements of accreditation (i.e., requiring enhanced accreditation review upon notification of any fraudulent investigations; increasing the information made available to the USDE and the public on accreditation actions). Again, while the above actions revolve around the institutional accreditor, our roles in programmatic accreditation will need to be responsive to the evolving system.

 

Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors: 

As President of CAAHEP, I had the opportunity to attend the recent Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors (ASPA ) meeting.  The work of ASPA and the attending accreditors was impressive.  While we all share common challenges, the interchange of ideas and information was invaluable.  As part of CAAHEP's strategic plan, CAAHEP works with our partners and stakeholders to address public policy issues. CAAHEP also provides scholarships to CoA leadership to attend the ASPA meetings, so that all levels of CAAHEP can benefit from the ideas exchanged. CAAHEP appreciates the strong leadership of ASPA in these public policy areas.  Thank you, Joseph Vibert and company.

CAAHEP Representatives at the ASPA Meeting: Sarah Marino (MAERB), Gordy Kokx (CoAEMSP), Thomas Skalko, President, Judi Lauwers (LEAARC), and Kathleen Megivern, Executive Director

 

In a final bit of news, I personally signed a petition by the American Society for Clinical Pathology in response to a recent Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) decision to recognize Nursing as a Biological Science for purposes of performing laboratory testing.  For more information and if you would like to sign the petition, please visit the ASCP website. 

 

As noted by the ASCP, "On April 1, CMS announced that 'an associate's or bachelor's degree in nursing is equivalent to an associate's or bachelor's degree, respectively, in biological science'-seemingly declaring that individuals with a nursing degree are potentially as qualified to perform advanced testing as certified laboratory professionals."

It seems that this action originated from CMS and not from our Nursing colleagues.  At the root of the CMS decision is the question as to whether the content of a degree in Nursing meets the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the Laboratory Sciences.  The ASCP requests support from others on the CMS action. 

As programmatic accreditors, we are attuned to the demands for competent practice outcomes (knowledge, skills, and abilities) of our educational programs.  As such, it is important for us to recognize the diversity of disciplines and the unique qualities and demands of the educational programs that prepare students for the breadth of allied health professions.  CAAHEP is proud of our Committees on Accreditation, their boards, and their sponsors and the shared work in which they engage.  Mutual respect and support is paramount to the work we all perform.  CAAHEP appreciates your work and commitment.

I look forward to the remainder of the year and hope to see each of you in the near future.