Accreditation
San Jose City College is accredited through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges
The criteria are research-based guidelines of systemic school improvement that address accreditation’s central tenet: a school operates with a clear understanding of its purpose.
The criteria were developed with the assistance of numerous practicing educational leaders and theorists. The objective was to develop criteria that brought attention to concepts and factors that differentiate between effective and ineffective schools.
Since most formal education occurs in an institutional setting, factors that impact institutional effectiveness were considered along with curriculum, instructional strategies and assessment. The criteria have been adapted for various joint accreditation processes.
ACCREDITATION THEMES AND TOPICS IN THE STANDARDS
Introduction | Midterm Accreditation Report '07
Standard I Institutional Mission and Effectiveness
- Mission
- Institutional effectiveness
College goals, strategic planning, assessment, planning with data from DO Warehouse and Datatel
Standard II Student Learning Programs
- Instructional Programs
Course development, research and planning, student learning outcomes, academic senate role, curriculum committee, modes of instruction, general education, vocational programs, information for students, academic freedom, service learning, learning communities, academic honesty, program review - Student Support Services
Student Services Committee, program review, outreach, orientation, catalog, policies and publications, Office of Student Life, counseling, diversity, Admissions and Records, student records, WIN program - Library and Learning Support
Facilities, staffing, materials, technology—equipment and technical support, instructional labs and relationship to instructional programs, program review, student learning outcomes, web presence
Standard III Resources
- Human
Hiring, screening, evaluation, code of ethics, personnel policies, equity and diversity, professional development - Physical
Facilities, new buildings and ongoing needs, student learning outcomes and mission, facilities committee, safety, maintenance, HVAC, access for persons with disabilities, capital planning - Technology
Campus Technology Committee, DO support (ITSS/Help Desk), campus support, technology training for faculty, staff and students, technology master plan, ongoing funding and support for technology - Financial
District Office allocation of resources, input into resource allocation decisions, goals, financial planning, Director of Finance position, Budget Committee, grants.
Standard IV Leadership and Governance
- Decision-Making Roles and Processes
Collaborative Decision Making Handbook, College Council, Academic Senate, Classified Senate, Associated Students; committees, evaluation and feedback to improve process and communication. - Board and Administrative Organization
Role of Board, President, District, Chancellor. Lines of communication, delegation, support for campus, control of expenditures, overall organization of the district and campuses.
THEMES can be found throughout the study:
Student Learning Outcomes
Dialogue
Institutional Commitments
Evaluation, Planning and Improvement
Organization (communication and decision making structures)
Institutional Integrity (honesty, equity, diversity)