Since the 2025 Annual Conference, the Committee on Accreditation (COA) has devoted countless hours to a major update of the Accreditation and Policy Manual. While the Manual has seen minor tweaks and additions over the past decade, this is the first time it has undergone a complete, cover-to-cover review.
Why This Update Matters
The goal of this project was not just to tidy things up, but to make the Manual more useful and accessible for everyone who relies on it. Here’s what the COA set out to do:
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Streamline Navigation
A new approach to pagination and an improved table of contents make it easier to find what you need. -
Consolidate Information
Instead of searching multiple sections, answers are now pulled together in one place. -
Strengthen Language & Detail
Updates were made to align with U.S. Department of Education expectations for recognized accrediting agencies.
(Note: Minor changes/additions were made to Standards 3 and 9.)
How You Can Get Involved
Your input is essential. The proposed Manual is now available on the ABFSE Homepage. Please take a few minutes to review the revisions and share your feedback.
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Comment Deadline: October 15
This ensures the COA can consider your input at their October meeting. -
Comment Form: Please use the provided Accreditation Manual Comment Form. Comments submitted outside of the form will not be reviewed.
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Town Hall Discussion: October 9 at 2:00 PM
This virtual session will be devoted to discussion of the Manual. Visit the Meetings or For Educators page to register.
Next Steps
The COA is committed to ensuring the Manual reflects the highest standards of clarity, accessibility, and compliance. Member feedback is a critical part of this process—your voice matters.
As always, if you have questions, please contact the ABFSE office.