Institutional accreditation is a process that is largely controlled by the US Department of Education, and it is offered through a number of approved agencies (see Resources page). We provide general assistance to the campus regarding the accrediting process for all of those agencies.  Our process for this assistance is comprised of consulting with school owners, directors of education and other institutional staff members and with institutional accreditation committees or teams. We review materials prepared by the institution and help with resolution of issues brought by the accrediting agency or the institutional review teams. We also help the campus develop the necessary internal working teams and recommend review activities.

Staying competitive in the school business means always being aware of what is going on in the school itself and in the sector as a whole. Several years of national discussion and passage of the Higher Education Opportunities Act has moved the concept of institutional effectiveness to the forefront in accreditation agencies, and hence into the accredited schools. Institutional assessment includes assessment of student learning, but as the term is used by both accreditation and state licensing agencies, institutional assessment encompasses all aspects of the institution, its operation, and the outcomes of the education provided.  The school’s Self Evaluation Report describes what the institution says it is doing in all of these areas, and the institutional assessment process determines and documents whether the institution is doing what it says it is doing in all areas of its operation. Associates have years of experience in assisting institutions in assessing the effectiveness of all areas of school operations, and are prepared to offer assistance as an institution plans and implements its effectiveness program.

The need for institutional planning seems obvious to anyone in business. The axiom about trying to remember that the objective was to drain the swamp while the alligators are chomping at your behind applies equally well to school operation. Operating a school is usually a hectic activity, and the school leaders often respond to more immediate issues and devote limited time and energy to planning for continued school operation. In addition to all of these activities, schools must maintain compliance with local, state, and federal laws and guidelines and accreditation requirements while also preparing detailed reports to those and other entities.

It is common to rely on a series of short-term plans that develop as the result of some crisis and then use these plans to determine the long-term plans. Institutional planning – whether short- or long-term – is a laborious and time consuming activity.  Increasingly, accrediting agencies are placing greater emphasis on well thought-out plans and programs, and examine the process by which schools achieve their planning.  Well-crafted institutional plans can lead to evidence-based and informed decision making processes, and thereby to more effective and profitable institutions. We can assist your institution as you design and implement the planning process. 

Paul Bott Associates maintains offices in Los Alamitos, California, but we perform most of our work on your site or via the internet.  We are easy to reach either by telephone or email. 
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