CHEA’S New Standards and Procedures for Recognition and Timeline for Implementation

 

On October 4, 2021, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) Board of Directors (Board) approved revisions to the 2019 Recognition of Accrediting Organizations Policy and Procedures. The revised document has been renamed the CHEA Standards and Procedures for Recognition (Standards and Procedures) (2021).

The following questions and responses provide information and clarity about the revised document.

What is the effective date of the CHEA Standards and Procedures for Recognition?
January 1, 2022.

If an accrediting organization submitted its Application Narrative, Interim Report, Follow-up Report, and/or Request for Change in Scope prior to January 1, 2022, do those items need to be resubmitted to address the new Standards and Procedures?
No. All materials submitted prior to the effective date of January 1, 2022, will be considered by the Committee on Recognition (COR) and the CHEA Board and reviewed using the 2019 Recognition of Accrediting Organizations Policy and Procedures.

If an accrediting organization is currently engaged in the recognition process, is there a need to submit new materials addressing the new Standards and Procedures?
An accrediting organization whose term of recognition expires December 31, 2022, and has already submitted its Application Narrative addressing the 2019 Recognition of Accrediting Organizations Policy and Procedures will be reviewed under the 2019 policy. All follow-up reporting requirements will be “cross-walked” to the 2021 Standards and Procedures.

All accrediting organizations whose term of recognition expires December 31, 2023, or later are to address the 2021 Standards and Procedures.

Can an accrediting organization choose which set of standards to address in its report?
No. All materials due after January 1, 2022, must address the new 2021Standards and Procedures.

If an accrediting organization was reviewed by the Committee on Recognition (COR) at its November 2021 meeting and a Follow-up Report is required, which standards should be addressed?
In the communication that was sent by the COR following its November 2021 meeting, all accrediting organizations that have required additional reporting, were provided guidance that “cross-walked” the 2019 standards to the 2021 standards. All follow-up materials are to address the 2021 Standards and Procedures.

Are the examples of Suggested Evidence provided in the Standards and Procedures the only acceptable forms of evidence?
No. The examples provided are not all inclusive and are offered as guidance.

The 2021 Standards and Procedures include two standards that were not in the 2019 document. Is CHEA requiring an additional report addressing these two new standards? If so, when is it due?
The 2021 Standards and Procedures for the first time include a requirement that a recognized accrediting organization demonstrate that it manifests a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (Standard 3.A.) and ensures ethical practices in its operations (3.B.).

While CHEA is not requiring recognized accrediting organizations to submit an additional report specifically addressing these new standards, it is requiring that the next Interim Report specifically address these two standards. This is in addition to addressing the accrediting organization’s continued capacity to fulfill its recognized scope of recognition, providing the reasons for its accreditation decisions to the public and ensuring that student learning outcomes and/or achievement data are accessible to the public (refer to Standards and Procedures-Section C. Reports for Continued Recognition-14. Interim Reports).

Some of the standards requirements in the 2019 Recognition of Accrediting Organizations Policy and Procedures are not part of the 2021 Standards and Procedures. Do I need to address these standards in my Follow-up or Interim Report?
No, your accrediting organization will only be held to those standards and procedures that are present in the 2021 Standards and Procedures.

Does the CHEA recognition process still require an observation visit?
No. While CHEA reserves the right to require an observation visit, this is no longer a required aspect of all accrediting organizations engaging in the recognition process (initial or continuing).

Do the 2021 Standards and Procedures streamline the recognition process?
Yes. In addition to the elimination of the required observation visit, the 2021 Standards and Procedures have eliminated the preliminary analysis process. The preliminary analysis process previously required each accrediting organization to be on the agenda of two COR and two Board meetings. Now an accrediting organization will typically be on the agenda of one COR and one Board meeting.

In the past, CHEA provided templates for submitting the Application Narrative, Interim Report and Request for Change in Scope. Is CHEA going to provide templates for the 2021 Standards and Procedures?
Yes. CHEA is providing templates for the Application Form, Application Narrative, Interim Report, Request for Change in Scope, Substantive Change Notification, and Grievance.

For additional information about the CHEA Standards and Procedures, please contact CHEA at [email protected].