Realities Of Outcomes-Oriented Accreditation, 3(13)

Abstract

Outcomes-oriented accreditation is the newest form of accountability facing schools and universities across America. It specifies a process which includes needs assessment, identification of student achievement goals, development of strategies to meet the goals, collection of data, and analysis/interpretation for ongoing planning and implementation purposes. Issues which have emerged as potentially being problematic include development of trust, buy-in to the data-driven model, and lack of preparedness on the part of many teachers to be involved. Although outcomes-oriented accreditation is sound conceptually, the reality of implementation presents numerous challenges.