New England Association of Schools and Colleges

As the oldest school accreditation organization in the United States, NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges) has been working to accredit private and public schools across the states of Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine since 1885. Unlike many of the accrediting agencies, NEASC does not just accredit postsecondary and higher learning institutions, rather they accredit all schools from elementary and even kindergarten through to the colleges and universities within those states.

Since there are so many different types of schools, NEASC is actually divided into several different commissions, which focus on one particular level and type of school. This distinction is important in the accreditation process as different schools and types of educational settings will have different standards, educational outcomes for learners as well as different educational goals. Some of the divisions include specific accrediting commissions for trade and vocational schools, public schools, private schools and technical and career schools and institutions. Currently NEASC accredits 255 higher learning schools such as colleges, universities and technology schools, 655 public secondary schools, 619 private or independent schools, and over 140 public elementary level schools. Further information on the types of accreditation commissions through NEASC can be found at http://www.neasc.org/.

Students that are attending a school that is accredited by NEASC can be assured that they are receiving education that meets or exceeds the standards set down by the various commissions. It also assures students that staff, faculty and administration within those schools is committed to the accreditation process and improving and enhancing the educational culture of the school for all students. Since accreditation is reviewed periodically as per the type of school or program, ongoing self-evaluation as well as outside observation is part of the continued accreditation process. The accreditation process also means that the degrees or certificates granted by the school will be recognized by other accredited institutes.

In addition to providing accreditation, the NEASC also hosts an annual conference, a summer institute on accreditation as well as several different ongoing public task forces and discussion groups on education, professional development and overall school performance. The emphasis throughout the organization is to establish a consistent set of uniformly high educational standards for all educational facilities within the states that NEASC oversees. The program has many years of solid, researched based information, consultants to help with the accreditation process as well as resources and peer review teams that can assist in the accreditation process.