Chief Academic Officers’ Forum: Challenges to Higher Education and WASC Accreditation

During the last year, ACSCU/WASC has implemented revisions to the 2001 Standards for Accreditation and the institutional review process. Among the key changes were: 1) CFR 1.2 and its requirements for accountability and transparency; 2) enhanced analysis and reporting on retention and completion; and 3) use of program review as a tool for sustaining educational effectiveness. At this session, the preliminary drafts of peer-based task forces working in these three areas will be presented. CAOs will also have the opportunity to provide input on several leading issues and trends that the Commission will be studying in the coming year: globalization, student learning, new learning environments, and the governance of higher education accreditation. Finally, the session will be used to discuss the impact of the unsettled economy, the President's stimulus plan, and the Higher Education Act (2008). Join us for this important dialogue.