Accreditation

Higher Education

• Council for Higher Education Accreditation
  A non-profit organization of colleges and universities serving as the national advocate for voluntary self-regulation through accreditation. CHEA works to advance quality improvement and coordination in accreditation practices. It recognizes agencies that accredit institutions granting academic degreees and a Directory of Participating Organizations is available that includes national, regional, and specialized accrediting agencies. CHEA also offers a Database of Institutions Accredited By Recognized United States Accrediting Organizations and links to related organizations.
• College Accreditation in the United States
  From the U.S. Department of Education, this site offers an overview of accreditation, directories of accrediting agencies, and rules and regulations.
• North Central Association Higher Learning Commission
  This is the major regional accrediting body for colleges and universities in the midwest. The website has a directory of accredited institutions, plus many resources for participating schools and reviewers. Information includes the criteria for accreditation and resources for institutional evaluation and improvement.

K-12 Education

• North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement
  NCA-CASI handles the accreditation of K-12 and other non-degree granting schools in 19 states in the central part of the U. S. including Illinois. The website includes information about the organization's programs and its Standards ; a searchable Directory of Accredited Schools in the 19 states; and links to professional development resources and the International Registry of Accredited Schools.

Teacher Education

• National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
  NCATE is a coalition of professional associations of teachers, teacher educators, content specialists, and local and state policy makers. The U. S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation recognize NCATE as a professional accrediting body for teacher preparation. The website offers information for prospective teachers, accreditation standards and resources, plus a Directory of NCATE Accredited Schools, Colleges, and Departments of Education.
• Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE)
  ISBE is the agency that supports K-12 education in the State and enforces regulations governing the schools. It offers a directory of Directory of Approved Programs for the Preparation of Educational Personnel in Illinois Institions of Higher Education and links to related rules and guidelines governing accreditation. The site also offers a section devoted to Resources for Teachers section with information about certification, testing and renewal requirements and content-area standards for educators.
• Also on this website, see Teacher Preparation and Professional Education for additional resources.