Accreditation is the formal recognition of an educational program or where applicable of an educational institution as possessing certain standards of quality or excellence based upon an analysis of the merits of its educational operation in relation to its objectives and to its unique role in the community that it serves.

As a process, it is a form of a peer review in which an association of schools and colleges establishes criteria, procedures to encourage high standard of educational quality among its affiliated members.

As a result, it is a form of certification or formal status granted by an accrediting agency to an educational program or where applicable to an educational institution which meets standards of quality over and above those prescribed as minimum requirements for government recognition.

BASIC PRINCIPLES OF ACCREDITATION

• Accreditation is based upon accepted standards. Each school seeking accreditation will be evaluated in terms of the appropriateness and adequacy of its philosophy and objectives and the degree and competence with which it achieves its goals.
• Accreditation provides institutional growth through continuing evaluation and peer visitation.
• Accreditation admits periodic review, criticism, and readjustment of its criteria, policies and procedures to changes in education.
• Accreditation provides opportunities for an educational institution to attain standards above those prescribed as minimum requirements by the government.

OBJECTIVES OF ACCREDITATION

• Accreditation aims to identify schools whose competence and performance in a particular field warrant public and professional recognition.
• Accreditation aims to guide students and parents in the choice of quality schools that will meet their individual educational needs.
• Accreditation aims to help institution of learning achieve maximum educational effectiveness through self-evaluation and self policing, regardless of its corporate nature, philosophy and objectives.
• Accreditation lends prestige for member schools, justified by the possession of quality standards and unremitting efforts to maintain them at a high level.

HOW IS ACCREDITATION ACHIEVED?

An educational institution achieves an accredited status when it is accorded formal recognition by peer group or an accredited agency attesting that the school or the academic program thereof is up to par with pre-established standards of quality.

WHY PRIVATE VOLUNTARY ACCREDITATION?

In general, educational institutions in the Philippines go through one form of accreditation – “recognition by the government”. In addition to government recognition, private voluntary accreditation by a recognized accrediting agency provides the opportunity for an educational institution to attain standards ABOVE THOSE PRESCRIBED AS MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS BY THE GOVERNMENT.