Accreditation is a voluntary method of quality assurance developed more than 100 years ago by American universities and secondary schools. The overriding goal of accreditation is to evaluate, verify, and improve an institution's quality. The chief value is in providing a non-governmental, independent, and impartial evaluation.

To earn accreditation, an institution must meet or exceed standards of quality set by the education community. The institution must also follow a protocol of self-study, peer review, and continuous improvement.

Founded in 1895, the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI) is a non-governmental, voluntary organization that accredits public and private schools in 19 states, the Navajo Nation, and the Department of Defense Schools overseas.

One of six regional associations, NCA CASI accredits more than 9000 schools, touching over five million students.

NCA CASI is based on the principles of voluntary participation, high quality standards, self-evaluation, peer review, and continuous improvement.

 

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