What are the SACS criteria for assessment?
Assessment is an essential component of Institutional Effectiveness, the Commission on Colleges’ foundation philosophy of accreditation. SACS is in the process of revising their accreditation process. After reviewing the draft of the “Principles of Accreditation” sent to all institutions by SACS and inviting comments by April 20, 2001, Joe Stafford summarized key changes in emphasis: “The major change in the accreditation process will be the requirement that all institutions have and utilize an ‘acceptable Quality Enhancement Plan.’ …A strong indicator is the statement, ‘…An institution is expected to document (emphasis added) quality and effectiveness in all major aspects of the institution….The plan will pay particular attention to matters such as student learning outcomes.’ This plan and a compliance certification document will replace the current Self-Study. Currently, the Commission’s Criteria for Accreditation requires that all units of an institution establish a purpose, g