What is self-assessment?

• Self-assessment is an internal process where an educational organization evaluates its activities to determine how well they align with accreditation standards. This process helps identify strengths and areas for improvement, and it is a crucial step in ensuring continuous quality improvement and readiness for accreditation.

What sections should the self-assessment report include?
The self-assessment report should cover the following key sections:

1. Educational activities: A detailed evaluation of the organization’s educational programs, curricula, teaching methods, and learning outcomes.
2. Management: An analysis of the governance structure, decision-making processes, and overall management practices.
3. Finance: A review of the organization’s financial health, including budgets, financial stability, and resource allocation.
4. Human resources policy: An evaluation of staff qualifications, professional development, recruitment practices, and staff retention strategies.

How often should self-assessment be conducted?

• Self-assessment should be conducted regularly, typically once a year, to monitor ongoing compliance with accreditation standards. However, it becomes especially important in the preparation for accreditation or reaccreditation, which usually occurs every 3-5 years.

What is an expert commission visit?

• An expert commission visit is a part of the accreditation process where a group of independent experts visits an educational organization to assess its compliance with the established accreditation standards.

How to prepare for the expert commission visit?
Here are some recommendations to help prepare for the visit:

1. Prepare documentation: Ensure all relevant documents are complete and accessible, such as the self-assessment report, educational programs, financial reports, staff qualifications, and other materials that demonstrate compliance with accreditation standards.
2. Organize meetings: Schedule meetings with key members of the organization, including the leadership, faculty, staff, and possibly students, to answer questions and discuss the organization's operations.
3. Facility tour: Arrange a tour of the institution's facilities, including classrooms, offices, libraries, and other relevant areas. This allows the expert commission to assess the physical infrastructure and learning environment.
4. Communication and coordination: Designate a contact person or team to coordinate the visit, handle logistics, and provide additional information as needed.

Who is part of the expert commission?

• The expert commission typically consists of a team of independent specialists who possess relevant experience and qualifications in the field of education.

What happens after accreditation is completed?

• After the accreditation process is completed, the organization will receive the results. If successful, the accreditation certificate is issued, confirming that the organization meets the required standards. In the case of a positive outcome, the organization is granted accreditation, typically for a period of 3 to 5 years. If accreditation is not granted, the organization receives feedback and recommendations for improvement, which can be addressed before reapplying.

What to do if accreditation is denied?
If accreditation is denied, the organization will receive a detailed report outlining the areas of non-compliance or weaknesses. The organization should take the following steps:

1. Address the deficiencies: Work on correcting the identified issues by improving processes, policies, infrastructure, or staff qualifications, depending on the feedback provided.
2. Reapply for accreditation: Once improvements are made, the organization can submit a new application for accreditation or request a re-evaluation.

How to maintain compliance with accreditation standards?

• To continuously meet accreditation standards, the organization should:

Regularly review and update practices: Ensure that educational programs, administrative processes, and infrastructure remain aligned with current accreditation standards and best practices.
Conduct periodic self-assessments: Regular internal evaluations help identify areas for improvement and ensure that the organization stays on track.
Engage in professional development: Keep staff up to date with training, certifications, and best practices in education and management.
Implement quality assurance measures: Create a system of ongoing monitoring, feedback, and improvement to ensure that the organization continues to meet the accreditation requirements over time.

When should the application for accreditation renewal be submitted?

• The application for accreditation renewal should typically be submitted several months before the current accreditation expires.

What is the difference between reaccreditation and initial accreditation?
Reaccreditation differs from initial accreditation in several ways: Process depth and scope; Documentation; Review focus.

What changes need to be made in the organization before reaccreditation?

• Before reaccreditation, an organization should consider the following steps based on feedback from the previous accreditation process.