Table 1. Presence and form of availability of 27 information elements by 19 accrediting agencies, n (%)

Overall means

Agency structure

Internal aspects (e.g., membership qualifications and number)

External aspects (e.g., source of authority, relationships with other organizations)

Agency internal policies and resources

Conflicts of interest management

Record keeping

Financial, space, material, and human resources management

Standards for schools^a

Content (e.g., topics covered, rigor, quality)

Process for development and/or revision (e.g., stakeholder input)

Self-study

Guidance provided by agency (e.g., templates, other support or consultation)

School process (e.g., participants, cost, duration)

Site visit by reviewers

Process (e.g., preparation, duration, activities)

Site visit team characteristics (e.g., demographics, training, expertise)

Site visit team’s report for agency

Content (e.g., synthesis of findings, recommendations)

Process (e.g., writing, medical school review)

Agency’s evaluation of school^a

Methods of reviewing information and communicating internally

Criteria and/or process (e.g., voting) for making summary decisions

School reports publicly available^b

Agency’s summary decision and recommendations

Types of summative decisions (e.g., full accreditation, probation, withdrawal)

Feedback for schools (e.g., recommendations for improvement, positive feedback)

External communications (e.g., public transparency, information for licensing bodies)

Managing appeals (e.g., timing, process)

Follow-up and monitoring

Follow-up intervals

Methods of data collection (e.g., school self-report, revisiting site)

Complaints

New schools^a

Process of receiving initial accreditation (e.g., agency support, accreditation stages)

Differences in accreditation procedures for new versus existing schools

Fees

Fees for accreditation^b

Fees for special services^b