Evaluation and Accreditation Procedures

All candidates for membership in the SPABC are required to undergo an evaluation process. This process, which is described in full in the SPABC Accreditation Manual, comprises two sections:

(a) A Self-Evaluation by the College concerned. A self-evaluation schedule drawn up by the Committee on Standards and approved by the SPABC governs this procedure. It covers the following areas:

(i) the objectives of the College;

(ii) the record of stability of the College;

(iii) the various areas of its administration;

(iv) public relations;

(v) its resources, including faculty, library and physical plant;

(vi) its educational methods and program, with attention to items such as curriculum, evaluation procedures and extent of practical training;

(vii) student selection and pastoral care of students;

(viii)student affairs and discipline;

(ix) graduation requirements;

(x) vocation and follow-up of graduates;

(xi) recreational, medical, dietary and other arrangements.

The College concerned produces a report based on these items.

(b) A Visiting Evaluation Team (VET). This is normally comprised of three members: the Convenor, who must be a senior faculty member of another SPABC College; an educationalist; and an administrator. The last two may be resident in the vicinity of the College concerned. All three may be nominated by the College concerned but are approved by the Committee on Standards. The VET normally spends one full week in its investigation, operating under guidelines approved by the SPABC. Following its visit, it prepares a report which is submitted to the College concerned. After receiving and considering this report, the College concerned makes its response to the Committee on Standards, which, in turn, reports to the SPABC on the satisfactory completion of the evaluation process.

At all stages, strict confidentiality is safeguarded. Applications and enquiries for membership should be directed to the Secretary.