Just a few years ago, almost no one saw accreditation as a major force for change in higher education. It was generally regarded as something of an anachronism, a ritual institutions had to go through periodically just to stay legit. But accreditation is back. Anyone who doesn't think so should try Googling "accreditation": even with…

The increasing use of nonaccredited educational contractors by accredited colleges is addressed. Some of the issues discussed include consumer complaints, the quality of services provided, awarding of credits, and accredition concerns. (JMD)

Once a school with many serious problems, Chicago State University (CSU) has greatly improved under the leadership of its first Black president, Benjamin H. Alexander. Some of the problems he faced at CSU, an urban predominantly Black campus, include possible loss of accreditation, poor morale, faculty integration, and low academic standards. (JMD)

Despite recent rejection of proposals for national reform of college accreditation, a well-established system of regional, voluntary self-regulation offers the best vehicle for correcting imbalance in educational quality assurance. The new Council for Higher Education Accreditation can help restore public faith in voluntary self-regulation by…