New England Association of Schools and Colleges - CTCI

The Commission on Technical and Career Institutions (CTCI), part of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, is an accrediting institution for secondary and post-secondary educational institutions that focus on technical and trade education. CTCI covers schools in Maine, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and also select overseas programs.

The accreditation process relies both on each member institution's self-regulation and also on peer review and analysis by the Commission. Post-secondary schools accredited by CTCI include those that offer non-degree, associate degree, and baccalaureate programs, depending on the school. However, as of the end of 2008, the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education will be responsible for degree-granting institutions previously accredited by the CTCI.

The CTCI has multiple goals, all designed to ensure that member institutions meet rigorous standards on behalf of their students. First and foremost, CTCI develops criteria that evaluate educational effectiveness. As part of this process, CTCI encourages institutions to always evaluate themselves and to improve themselves accordingly. CTCI's accreditation process is also designed to ensure public confidence in the institutions they accredit. Finally, CTCI provides support to existing institutions, as well as new institutions, and works to protect institutions from threats to academic quality.

The accreditation process provides a framework for the schools themselves to assess and evaluate their educational quality, as well as a framework for the public to judge an institution's merit. It benefits all stakeholders - institutional faculty and staff, current students, prospective students, and the public at large.

The collaborative nature of peer review is a powerful tool for ascertaining what works and what does not work at each member institution. The CTCI accreditation process takes into account the identified mission of each institution and how well that mission is being achieved, as well as independent CTCI membership standards. Students who enroll in CTCI-accredited schools can be assured that their program meets the necessary standards for a productive technical career.

New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Technical and Career Institutions is recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.

Article References

The New England Association of Schools and Colleges: CTCI
http://ctci.neasc.org