Concurrent Session C: Regional Accreditation and State Perspectives on Student Success

Presenter Abstract: The proportion of adults with a postsecondary credential is not keeping pace with national needs, and the U.S. is falling behind other industrialized countries in this respect. In Massachusetts, recent research estimates that 68% of jobs in the state will require postsecondary education by 2018 although currently only 53.4% of working‐age adults hold degrees. The Vision Project, a new statewide initiative in Massachusetts, articulates the most important contributions of public higher education to the Commonwealth and holds public higher education accountable for a high level of achievement in this work. The overarching goals of The Vision Project are for the state to produce the besteducated citizenry and workforce in the nation and to be a national leader in research that drives economic development. In this interactive session, participants will review and discuss the charge of the Vision Project’s Working Group on Graduation and Student Success Rates which includes recommending graduation and student success goals, reviewing campus goals and plans, and prioritizing statewide policies and practices. Presenter Abstract: The Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (New England Association of Schools and Colleges), which accredits institutions in New England, has implemented a number of efforts to bring more emphasis and evidence in addressing student success. These efforts include revisions of the Standards for Accreditation, workshops supporting a focus on student success as part of periodic reviews, “Data First” and “Student Success” forms completed and referenced a part of these reviews, evaluator training addressing evidence of student success within on‐site evaluations, and commission letters that target these matters. These efforts respond to external pressures primarily at the federal level, and internal pressures within institution in New England to focus on student success. This session will enable participants to review and discuss the potential of these initiatives