Request of the ACCJC to Evaluate and Improve Inter-rater Reliability of Visiting Teams

Fall
2013
Resolution Number
02.10
 
Contact
Assigned to
President
Category
Accreditation
Status
Completed
Status Report

Letter to ACCJC

Whereas, Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) evaluation teams that visit institutions completing self-evaluations vary widely in composition and background, resulting in recommendations often more focused on team members’ areas of expertise than a balanced evaluation of all standards;

Whereas, Current ACCJC standards tend to be subjective, vague and open to interpretation allowing for inconsistencies from one visiting team to another; and

Whereas, ACCJC does not appear to evaluate its own processes to determine if standards are being applied fairly and consistently across institutions;

Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges urge the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) to include training to promote inter-rater reliability in and among visiting teams sent to institutions under review; and

Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges urge that ACCJC conduct evaluations to determine if standards are being consistently applied across institutions and that their findings be reported to all colleges.

MSC