HIGHER LEARNING COMMISSION

WHEREAS, the American Federation of Teachers supports student assessment and institutional accountability models that enhance quality education and student achievement; and

WHEREAS, the Higher Learning Commission, like other accreditation bodies, has for several years mandated onerous and repeatedly revised accreditation requirements, particularly with regard to student assessment and institutional accountability measures; and

WHEREAS, compliance with HLC accreditation mandates relative to assessment and accountability entails allocation of significant human and fiscal resources by institutions of higher education, which are already burdened with severe budget constraints caused by decades of disinvestment in higher education; and

WHEREAS, there is a dearth of research addressing the efficacy of HLC’s revisions in its assessment and accountability measures relative to improvement in student achievement; and

WHEREAS, HLC’s recent mandate relative to faculty credentialing contains several features that will create serious staffing problems at institutions of higher education:

RESOLVED, that the American Federation of Teachers, in conjunction with state federations and locals, will research the institutional impact and effect on student success of the Higher Learning Commission’s assessment, accountability and credentialing policies; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT, in conjunction with state federations and locals, will confer with organizations representing colleges and universities as well as professional organizations regarding the institutional impact and advisability of such HLC policies; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT, in conjunction with the National Education Association, the American Association of University Professors and other professional organizations, will develop a strategy to require that HLC have an equal number of faculty and administrators on each HLC accreditation visiting team, with faculty having the primary responsibility and authority in assessing teaching and learning and formulating recommendations regarding such assessments; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT, in conjunction with the NEA, the AAUP and other professional organizations, will develop a strategy to ensure meaningful representation of faculty at all organizational levels of HLC; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will conduct a detailed analysis of the revenue and expenditures of HLC and, if necessary, mount a campaign to secure the information required to do so; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will formulate recommendations for all affiliates as to how to address the mandates from HLC and similar accreditation bodies.