Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools is a voluntary, peer-based, non-profit organization that promotes and evaluates educational excellence at all levels, from Early Childhood Education to Higher Education, in the United States, particularly in the Mid-Atlantic States. The organization is recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and the American Council on Education (ACE). The association works closely with other accrediting agencies, such as the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), to ensure consistency and quality in educational standards.

● History

The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools was founded in 1887 by a group of educators from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York, with the goal of promoting educational excellence and accountability in the region. The organization's early members included prominent educators such as Johns Hopkins University president Daniel Coit Gilman and Columbia University president Seth Low. Over the years, the association has expanded its membership to include schools and institutions from Delaware, Maryland, and the District of Columbia, and has established partnerships with organizations such as the National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). The association has also worked closely with government agencies, such as the United States Department of Education and the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), to inform education policy and practice.

● Accreditation

The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools is recognized as an accrediting agency by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), and is responsible for accrediting schools and institutions in the Mid-Atlantic States. The association's accreditation process involves a rigorous evaluation of an institution's academic programs, faculty, and resources, as well as its commitment to Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment. The association works closely with other accrediting agencies, such as the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), to ensure consistency and quality in accreditation standards. Accredited institutions include University of Pennsylvania, Princeton University, and Johns Hopkins University, as well as Community College of Philadelphia and Montgomery County Community College.

● Membership

The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools has a diverse membership of over 3,000 schools and institutions, including Public Schools, Private Schools, and Charter Schools, as well as Community Colleges and Universities. Member institutions include Harvard University, Yale University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), as well as University of Maryland, Rutgers University, and Temple University. The association also has partnerships with organizations such as the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and the American Council on Education (ACE), and works closely with government agencies, such as the United States Department of Education and the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Members also include Baltimore City Public Schools, School District of Philadelphia, and New York City Department of Education.

● Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools

The Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools is responsible for accrediting Elementary Schools, Middle Schools, and High Schools in the Mid-Atlantic States. The commission evaluates schools based on their academic programs, faculty, and resources, as well as their commitment to Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment. The commission works closely with other accrediting agencies, such as the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), to ensure consistency and quality in accreditation standards. Accredited schools include The Lawrenceville School, The Hill School, and The Peddie School, as well as Philadelphia High School for Girls and Baltimore City College.

● Commission on Higher Education

The Commission on Higher Education is responsible for accrediting Colleges and Universities in the Mid-Atlantic States. The commission evaluates institutions based on their academic programs, faculty, and resources, as well as their commitment to Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment. The commission works closely with other accrediting agencies, such as the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA), to ensure consistency and quality in accreditation standards. Accredited institutions include University of Delaware, Rutgers University, and Temple University, as well as Community College of Philadelphia and Montgomery County Community College.

● Standards and Requirements

The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools has established a set of standards and requirements for accreditation, which include a commitment to Student Learning Outcomes, Assessment, and Institutional Effectiveness. The association also requires institutions to demonstrate a commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, as well as to Faculty Development and Staff Development. The association's standards and requirements are informed by research and best practices in education, and are designed to promote educational excellence and accountability. The association works closely with organizations such as the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and the American Council on Education (ACE) to stay current on best practices and to inform education policy and practice, including the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and the Higher Education Act (HEA).