PCTIA Accreditation

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PCTIA Accreditation

• WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE APPLYING FOR
  ACCREDITATION

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TOPICS COVERED

• What is Accreditation? Why do it?
• Eligibility
• Steps to become accredited
• Summary of October 2012 Bylaw Changes
• Ongoing requirements once accredited
• Frequently asked questions

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WHAT IS ACCREDITATION?

• Voluntary
• Third-party, un-biased, review and assessment of
  many aspects of a schools operations

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WHY APPLY FOR ACCREDITATION

• Opportunity for external validation
• More credibility
• Marketing edge
• Ability to apply for StudentAid BC Designation
• Ability to apply for Education Quality Assurance
  designation

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ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR ACCREDITATION?

• To apply for accreditation, schools must be
• Operating and in good standing for one year
• Training continuously for the past year
• Having sufficient students and graduates to
  enable assessment
• Financially sound
• Meeting all PCTIA registration requirements

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STEPS TO PCTIA ACCREDITATION

• Read through materials in this presentation.
• Download and review the Institutional
  Accreditation Report.
• Sign up for the in-person workshop.
• Complete draft Institutional Accreditation Report
  and attend the in-person Accreditation Workshop.

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STEPS TO PCTIA ACCREDITATION

1. After completion of workshop, submit completed
   Accreditation Application Form and fee within 6
   months.
2. Host a site visit by a PCTIA staff member.
3. After a successful site visit, submit your
   Institutional Accreditation Report for review.

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STEPS TO PCTIA ACCREDITATION

1. Host Accreditation Audit Team site visit.
2. Review draft Accreditation Audit Team report.
3. Respond to Team Report.
4. Registrars Decision.

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ROLES OF THE AGENCY, SCHOOL AND TEAM

• PCTIA
• Sets standards
• Facilitates process
• Makes final decision
• The School
• Self-assessment, determines standards are met
  before visit
• Demonstrates standards met using report and
  during visit
• The Team
• Validates standards met
• Reports to Registrar

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ACCREDITATION STANDARDS OF QUALITY

• Mission Statement
• Clearly articulated, appropriate for
  career-training institution
• Commitment to providing quality education
• Easily understood
• Includes specific goals which are measureable,
  attainable, realistic and timely

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ACCREDITATION STANDARDS OF QUALITY

• Administrative Capacity
• Policies and procedures in place
• Instructional oversight by a qualified Senior
  Educational Administrator
• Administration allows for quality delivery of
  programs

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ACCREDITATION STANDARDS OF QUALITY

• Facilities Institutional Resources
• Resources allocated to achieve quality outcomes
• Health safety a priority
• Instructors/Facilitators
• Qualifications, experience allow for quality
  delivery of programs
• Performance reviews focus on outcomes and quality
  delivery

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ACCREDITATION STANDARDS OF QUALITY

• Academic Policies Student Services
• Students receive effective information guidance
• Programs have appropriate entry criteria
• Assessment of learning outcomes is accurate,
  fair, timely and consistent
• Grade appeal policy is effective
• Credit transfer and/or prior learning policies
  are effective (if applicable)
• Dispute resolution policy is fair and effective

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ACCREDITATION STANDARDS OF QUALITY

• Program Advisory Committee(s) (PAC)
• Independent
• One for each program or program area
• Three members in attendance
• Represent employment community or program area
• Annual meeting covers items required in Bylaws
• Evidence that PAC suggestions are considered
• Distance education representative on PAC if
  necessary

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ACCREDITATION STANDARDS OF QUALITY

• Program Delivery
• Educationally sound, effective process for
  development, approval and review of programs
• Feedback sought from stakeholders (students,
  grads, PACs, instructors, employers)
• Effective, sound, appropriate teaching practices
• Delivery done by 3rd parties meets PCTIA
  standards
• Effective, integrated practicum placements (if
  applicable)

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October 2012 Bylaw Changes

• New Bylaws available for download at
  www.pctia.bc.ca
• Effective date October 1, 2012
• Other resources on PCTIA website
• Discussion group
• Bylaw Changes Comparison Grid
• QA document

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October 2012 Bylaw Changes

• Electronic student records permitted
• Satellite locations after continuous 24 months
  must be registered as a branch
• Instructor Diploma Requirements
• Must be held by the Senior Educational
  Administrator
• Transition deadline - October 1, 2013

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October 2012 Bylaw Changes

• Archiving Student Files
• Archiving deadline with an approved third party
  vendor is extended from 30 days to 60 days
• Feedback on Student Progress
• Meaningful, written feedback prior to completion
  of 30 of the program
• Credential
• Must provide transcript and credential (Diploma
  or Certificate) for career training programs

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October 2012 Bylaw Changes

• Instructor Qualifications
• Clarified
• Degree, Diploma or Certificate in the field of
  study and
• 24 months full time experience in the field
• or
• 10 years of full time experience in lieu of a
  formal credential in the field of study

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October 2012 Bylaw Changes

• Student Contracts
• Appendices A and B no longer required
• Minor wording amendments
• Institutions will need to update and submit their
  student contract templates

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October 2012 Bylaw Changes

• Corporate Training no longer regulated
• Refund Policy Changes
• Financial Statements
• Significant changes to reporting requirements
• Transition date (first statements under new
  format to be submitted March 2013)
• Fees have changed

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October 2012 Bylaw Changes

• Quality Standard Continuous Improvement
  Framework
• Tracking student outcomes
• PAC requirements (simplified)
• Tracking process for improvements
• Gather/Evaluate/Act on outcomes data

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ONGOING REQUIREMENTS

• Continuous compliance with Basic Education
  Standards
• Continuous compliance with Accreditation
  standards of quality
• Annual compliance visits by PCTIA staff
• 5-year review cycle
• Annual enrolment report includes employment
  statistics for grads
• Accreditation certificate posted
• Report on outcome measures
• Report changes to PCTIA

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• How much does accreditation cost?
• Is there a minimum number of auditors?
• Does the school pay for the PCTIA representative
  on an accreditation audit?
• Are there any additional expenses charged to the
  school?
• Does the accreditation flat fee include meals
  on-site too?
• How long does accreditation take?

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• When are accreditation audit fees due?
• How many days does an audit take?
• Who are the auditors? Can someone from one school
  audit another school?
• What happens if the school cant demonstrate that
  all of the standards of quality are met?
• What happens if you disagree with the teams
  assessment?
• Is SABC or EQA designation automatic once you are
  accredited?