News from CEA–October 2004

This memo highlights items from the September 17-19, 2004, meeting of the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation and other information of interest.

Accreditation Decisions

As required by the U.S. Secretary of Education, CEA announces the results of accreditation decisions following notification to the programs and institutions.

English Language Institute, George Mason University
Initial accreditation extended through December 2008

English Language Institute, Eastern Washington University
Re-accreditation extended through December 2005

INTERLINK Language Institute, Colorado School of Mines
Accreditation withdrawn

Programs and schools to be reviewed at the December 2004 Commission meeting

CLED Intensive English Program, Georgetown University, Washington D.C.
English Language Programs, Saint Michael’s College, Colchester, VT
English Programs for Internationals, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
International Academy of English, San Diego CA
Showa Boston Institute, Boston MA

Terms of Re–accreditation

The policy that CEA may grant "up to 10-year re-accreditation" was reviewed by the Ad Hoc Re-accreditation Committee. The Commission approved the committee's recommendation that at the time of a re-accreditation decisions, the Commission may make the following decisions: grant 10-year re-accreditation to a program or institution that is in full compliance with the CEA standards; grant one-year re-accreditation to a program or institution that substantially meets the CEA standards but needs to address minor standards-related deficiencies [if the deficiencies are met, accreditation is extended to the initial 10-year period]; defer a decision pending receipt of additional information; deny re-accreditation to a program or institution that has not substantially met the CEA standards. Programs granted 10-year accreditation will be required to submit a major interim report in the fifth year of accreditation. Details of these terms are available from CEA.

Multi-site Policies

The Commission approved recommendations from the Ad Hoc Multi-site Task Force, which included members not sitting on the Commission, that CEA continue to treat sites in a multi-site institution as separate sites for accreditation purposes but to provide some accommodations in terms of annual sustaining and workshop fees. Workshop fees for the first site in a multi-site will be $260, with a fee of $130 for additional participants from sites that apply for accreditation at the same time. Sustaining fees for the first site are the same as for single site programs and institutions ($1300 + .45/student week), with a lower base fee for each additional site ($800 + .45/student week).

Timeline for Scheduling Visits

CEA's timeline for scheduling visits has been slightly revised to facilitate planning for both CEA and sites ready to schedule a visit. The current three cycles (winter, spring/summer, and fall) remain in place but with no visits scheduled for April, August, or December, except for those that have already targeted dates for 2004. In addition, all self-studies for a particular cycle will be due at the same time. For a copy of the timeline, please contact CEA.

Standards Review

As required by the U.S. Secretary of Education, CEA has in place a plan for on-going review and revision of the CEA Standards for English Language Programs and Accreditation. The Standards Review Committee will be conducting one phase of that review in 2005, when there will be a survey asking for feedback on the importance and clarity of all 52 CEA standards. Look for this survey to come your way in the early part of 2005. Input from as many in the profession as possible will be sought.