Accreditations

   Most anyone with an interest in academia has, at least, a passing familiarity with “the 8 ivy’s”. That degree of distinction may or may not need any other equal, that’s someone else’s argument. But distinctions matter, and that the distinction for the general public stops there has outgrown its service.
   Here on the west coast of Florida there are three primary distinctions/accreditations for schools: COE, ASICS & SACS (in ascending order; SACS being the highest)* accredited schools. However, among institutions of higher learning for the arts there are two additional accreditations.
   The National Association of Schools of Art and Design is 66 years old. It has added 29 schools in the last four years, for a total of 297; and is located in Reston, VA. It essentially sets standards.
   However, there is also the distinction of being an AICAD school. The Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design is an affiliation of 40 schools. “Founded in 1991 by a group of 25 presidents … so as to mutually develop their schools and programs”, it brings together schools that are [1] already regionally accredited (SACS for FL) and NASAD certified, and [2] co-ordinates (as mentioned); specifically among the private, nonprofit, free-standing (that is, not a department of a larger college or university) schools.
   In yesterday’s post I was somewhat lamenting the lack of further distinction. Here we find one such distinction, but I wonder if there is anything statistically demonstrable that would make the distinction noteworthy; some track record of performance after graduation (that might lead to higher pay, greater respect and the like). I’ll be interested in finding out, if I can.

*
AICAD
the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design
http://www.aicad.org/
http://www.aicad.org/about.htm
NASAD
the National Association of Schools of Art and Design
http://nasad.arts-accredit.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Association_of_Schools_of_Art_and_Design
http://nasad.arts-accredit.org/index.jsp?page=Staff Directory

SACS
the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools - the regional accrediting agency (all six are: New England, Middle States, North Central, Northwest, Southern, and Western).
http://www.sacs.org/
ASICS
the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools
http://www.acics.org/
COE
the Council for Opportunity in Education
http://www.coenet.us//ecm/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home