ACHEC has established accreditation standards to guide the evaluation of educational and training institutions globally. These standards are interpreted and operationalized through policies and procedures adopted by the Accrediting Commission under the General Service Regulation. They serve multiple purposes, including:
- Representing good practices against which institutions and programs can be evaluated and improved.
- Guiding evaluation teams in conducting online or on-site reviews.
- Providing a basis for the Accrediting Commission to review reports, documentation, and to develop policies for focused interpretation.
- Informing governments, employers, students, and the public about the criteria used to evaluate accredited institutions or programs.
1. Mission, Goals, and Planning
Mission: The institution must have a clearly stated mission compatible with ACHEC’s mission and standards. It should be publicly available and provide a basis for delivering and assessing educational programs.
Goals: Broad institutional goals should support the mission and be understood at all organizational levels.
Planning: The institution must maintain sound, written one-year and long-range plans covering both educational and business objectives. Plans must include measurable objectives, operational strategies, required resources, projected time frames, and methods for evaluating each objective. Plans should be updated annually.
2. Governance and Management
Governance: The institution must have a governing board and/or senior management responsible for strategies and policies that ensure integrity, effectiveness, and compliance with statutory and accreditation requirements.
Operational Management: Management must systematically implement policies, ensuring clear and effective organizational operations.
Personnel Management: Written policies must govern recruitment, hiring, orientation, supervision, evaluation, and professional development to ensure qualified staff.
Records: Maintain organized, accurate, and secure records accessible to authorized parties and preserved in accordance with regulations.
Communications: Ensure effective communication among staff, with periodic meetings and proper documentation.
Professional Relationships: Establish and maintain relationships with educational and industry networks to enhance quality.
3. Financial Capacity and Responsibility
Stability: Demonstrate responsible financial management and sufficient resources to provide quality education and complete instruction for all enrolled participants.
Financial Procedures: Written policies must guide financial controls, tuition, refunds, and staff oversight. Financial assessments should occur at least quarterly.
Financial Assistance / Scholarships: All assistance programs must be managed responsibly, fairly, and in compliance with regulations.
4. Curriculum Design and Development
Educational Goals and Objectives: Programs must have clear goals, preplanned content, and sequential methodology to prepare students for expected outcomes.
Program / Instructional Materials: Materials must be appropriate, up-to-date, and aligned with program objectives.
Performance Measurements: Assessments should be written, periodically reviewed, and aligned with performance objectives.
Curriculum Review / Revision: Use systematic procedures to continuously improve the curriculum based on feedback from faculty, students, graduates, employers, and advisory boards.
Certification and Licensing: Include necessary preparation for licensing, certification, or exams, and track graduates’ success rates.
5. Instructional Delivery and Resources
Instructional Methods: Methods should motivate students, facilitate learning, and accommodate different learning styles and prior achievement levels.
Externships / Internships: When required, practical experiences should be structured, supervised, and evaluated with sufficient sites for effective learning.
Equipment, Supplies, and Learning Resources: Ensure adequate and functional materials are available for students and instructors.
Facilities: Maintain safe, accessible, and suitable facilities that meet local and governmental requirements.
6. Qualifications and Supervision of Instructional Personnel
Qualifications: Instructors must have appropriate credentials, training, experience, and teaching skills.
Supervision of Instruction: Supervisors should provide effective oversight, feedback, and evaluation to enhance teaching quality.
Instructor Orientation and Training: Written policies should ensure effective orientation and ongoing professional development for instructors.
7. Admissions and Student Services
Recruitment: All recruitment materials must be accurate, ethical, and free of misleading claims.
Enrollment: Written policies should ensure applicants are qualified and provide full disclosure of rights, responsibilities, costs, and refund policies.
Transfer of Credit: Policies must ensure fair and transparent credit transfer practices.
Student Services: Provide academic advising, tutoring, placement assistance, extracurricular activities, and other support services consistent with institutional mission and objectives.
8. Student Assessment and Achievement
Student Progress: Monitor and document student progress using defined assessment elements aligned with program objectives.
Attendance: Policies must ensure consistent student participation and preparation.
9. Institutional Effectiveness
Participant Satisfaction: Establish policies to assess and document student satisfaction regularly.
Employer / Sponsor Satisfaction: Policies must evaluate and validate employer/sponsor satisfaction with training outcomes.
Completion and Placement: Track program completion rates and, for vocational programs, provide placement assistance. Use results to improve program effectiveness.
