PennSchool is a Candidate for Accreditation of Cognia – the largest educational accreditation organization in the United States

PennSchool has become a Candidate for Accreditation of Cognia – the largest educational accreditation organization in the United States, after interviewing online with the organization’s representatives and completing registration documents. 

On March 08th, 2022, the School Board had an online meeting with the representative of Cognia. After completing registration documents and passing the interview round, PennSchool has become the Candidate for Accreditation of Cognia. This is an important milestone for us in the process of participating in the inspection.

Cognia is the largest accrediting organization in the United States, owning three of the top six regional accrediting units in the United States, including The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), North of Central America (NCA), and Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) which are approved by the Department of Education and Training. Cognia evaluates based on 34 rigorous standards, divided into three fields: the standard of Leadership Competency, the Standards of Learning Competency and the Standards of Resource Competence.

By being the Cognia’s Candidate for Accreditation, PennSchool has shown the capacity to satisfy accreditation standards and be ready for the next accreditation processes. After being the Candidate for Accreditation, PennSchool will adjust and finalize standard documents and reports to prepare for a commitment assessment which will be held in early 2023.

Based on Cognia’s readiness for accreditation report, PennSchool needs to promote strengths in three groups of competencies: leadership; capacity to organize teaching and learning; and resource management capabilities. In addition, Cognia had some advice for PennSchool to improve and prepare for phase 2 of the accreditation process.

Becoming the Cognia’s member will affirm the school’s endeavors in ensuring the teaching scale, curriculum, faculty members, facilities, output quality, and policies to support students and help them to develop essential skills. This is also a motivation for PennSchool to improve constantly, integrate with advanced education in the world, and enhance the professional Competency to satisfy the next engagement review.