ACISC Council Accreditation Decisions
From Institutional Evidence and Evaluation to Formal Accreditation Status
The Accrediting Council for International Schools and Colleges (ACISC) establishes institutional accreditation outcomes through a structured decision process connecting accreditation standards, institutional self-evaluation, documented evidence, external evaluation, professional review and formal accreditation decision-making.
The accreditation decision establishes the applicable institutional outcome and, where accreditation is awarded or continued, connects that outcome with the institution’s accreditation status, approved scope and continuing accreditation requirements.
Evidence, Evaluation, Review and Decision
ACISC accreditation decisions form part of an institution-wide evaluation process. The decision stage considers the institutional accreditation record developed through the applicable accreditation pathway, including evidence submitted by the institution, evaluation findings and the results of professional review.
This architecture connects the final accreditation outcome to a documented evaluation process and establishes a clear relationship among institutional evidence, accreditation findings, decision, status and approved scope.
Institutional Record
The institution establishes its accreditation record through application information, self-evaluation, institutional documentation and supporting evidence.
External Evaluation
The applicable evaluation process examines institutional evidence, educational practices, systems, resources and performance against ACISC accreditation standards.
Professional Review
Evaluation findings and the institutional accreditation record proceed through the applicable professional review process.
Formal Decision
The authorized accreditation decision process determines the applicable institutional accreditation outcome and associated accreditation record.
A Standards-Driven Institutional Decision Process
ACISC accreditation decisions are connected to substantive institutional dimensions rather than to a certificate or application alone. The accreditation record brings together institutional mission, governance, educational effectiveness, resources, student systems, integrity, accountability and continuous improvement.
The decision process considers these dimensions through the evidence and findings generated during the applicable institutional accreditation review.
Mission & Governance
Institutional mission, educational purpose, governance structures, leadership, accountability, organizational responsibilities and decision-making.
Academic & Educational Effectiveness
Programs, curriculum, teaching and learning, educational objectives, learning outcomes, assessment, student achievement and educational improvement.
Institutional Capacity
Qualified personnel, faculty, facilities, technology, information resources, administrative systems, financial resources and operational capacity.
Student Experience
Admissions, student support, learning resources, advising, student services, progression, completion and the educational environment.
Integrity & Accountability
Accurate institutional information, policies, ethical practices, documented evidence, institutional responsibility and accountability.
Continuous Improvement
Institutional assessment, evidence-based review, improvement priorities, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and institutional development.
What Supports an Accreditation Decision?
The institutional accreditation record provides the evidentiary basis for the applicable decision process. The record may contain multiple forms of institutional evidence reflecting the nature, size, educational provision and requested accreditation scope of the institution under review.
Evidence is considered in relation to applicable ACISC accreditation standards and evaluation findings so the accreditation decision remains connected to the institution and educational operations evaluated through the accreditation process.
Decision Record May Include
Institutional application and profile
Requested accreditation scope
Institutional self-evaluation
Governance documentation
Academic and program evidence
Faculty and personnel information
Student-support evidence
Assessment and outcomes evidence
Institutional effectiveness evidence
External evaluation findings
Applicable institutional responses
Professional review findings
Institutional Accreditation Decisions and Status
The applicable accreditation decision determines the institution’s resulting position within the ACISC accreditation process. Decision terminology should be read together with the formal institutional record, because the record establishes the applicable status, scope, dates and continuing requirements associated with the decision.
Accreditation Awarded
Where the applicable decision awards institutional accreditation, ACISC establishes the institution’s accreditation status and approved scope within the institutional accreditation record.
Accreditation Continued
Following an applicable continuing review or re-evaluation, institutional accreditation may continue subject to the status, scope and requirements established within the resulting record.
Further Evidence or Action
The decision process may identify additional institutional evidence, reporting, improvement activity or other action required within the applicable accreditation process.
Decision Deferred
Where additional review is required before a final determination, the applicable decision record may provide for further evidence, evaluation or institutional response.
Accreditation Not Awarded
Where the institutional record does not support an award of accreditation under the applicable process, the resulting decision records that outcome.
Status Changed
Continuing review, institutional change or subsequent accreditation action may result in an updated institutional accreditation status or scope according to the applicable ACISC process.
The Accreditation Decision Establishes a Verifiable Institutional Record
Where institutional accreditation is awarded or continued, the decision connects the evaluated institution with its applicable accreditation status and approved accreditation scope. The resulting institutional record provides the structured reference through which ACISC accreditation information can be maintained and verified.
Decision
The authorized accreditation process establishes the applicable institutional outcome.
Status
The institutional record identifies the institution’s applicable accreditation standing.
Scope
The record identifies the institutional and educational provision included within the approved accreditation scope.
Verification
The published institutional record provides a first-party reference for applicable ACISC accreditation information.
Connecting the Decision to Educational Provision
The approved accreditation scope connects the formal accreditation decision to the institutional and educational provision covered by that decision. Depending on the applicable institutional record, scope may include educational levels, programs, schools or departments, credentials, locations and delivery modalities.
Programs formally declared by an ACISC-accredited institution and included within its approved accreditation scope are covered by the institution’s ACISC international institutional accreditation and applicable continuing monitoring requirements.
The institution’s accreditation record therefore provides the primary ACISC reference for determining the educational provision included within its approved scope.
Decision & Scope Relationship
Institutional Evaluation
↓
Professional Review
↓
Formal Accreditation Decision
↓
Accreditation Status
↓
Approved Accreditation Scope
↓
Programs & Educational Provision Within Scope
↓
Continuing Accreditation
The Decision Is Not the End of the Accreditation Cycle
Institutional accreditation continues after the formal decision. Institutions holding ACISC international institutional accreditation remain responsible for applicable accreditation standards, institutional effectiveness, accurate institutional information and continuing accreditation requirements.
ACISC maintains continuing accreditation processes through which applicable institutional changes, educational provision, scope information, evidence and institutional performance can be reviewed over the accreditation period.
Continuing Accreditation Connects
Accreditation standards
Institutional responsibilities
Current educational provision
Institutional changes
Continuing evidence
Monitoring and reporting
Applicable review
Continuous improvement
Decision Information Within the Institutional Record
A structured accreditation record connects the formal decision with the institution to which it applies. Where applicable information is published, the record can identify the accreditation outcome, status, approved scope, relevant dates and educational provision associated with the institution’s accreditation.
Institution
Institution name
Country
Institution type
ACISC accreditation number
Decision & Status
Accreditation decision
Current status
Decision date
Applicable accreditation period
Approved Scope
Institutional scope
Programs / educational provision
Locations
Delivery modalities
Evidence-Based Institutional Decision-Making
A credible accreditation decision architecture depends on documented evidence, defined standards, professional evaluation and an identifiable decision record. ACISC structures its institutional accreditation process so the resulting status and scope can be traced through the applicable accreditation record.
This strengthens institutional accountability by connecting representations made during accreditation with evidence, evaluation findings, subsequent decisions and continuing accreditation responsibilities.
Evidence
Institutional representations are supported through applicable documentation, records and other evidence considered during accreditation.
Professional Evaluation
Institutional evidence is considered through the applicable evaluation and review architecture established by ACISC.
Recorded Outcome
The resulting decision connects the accreditation outcome with an identifiable institution, status, scope and continuing accreditation record.
Follow the Complete ACISC Accreditation Architecture
The council decision is one stage within a wider institutional accreditation system. Explore the related resources to understand how ACISC connects standards, evidence, evaluation, decisions, institutional records and continuing accreditation.
Framework & Protocol
Review the institutional standards, evidence architecture and evaluation protocol supporting accreditation.
Accreditation Cycle
Follow the institutional pathway from application and self-evaluation through decision and continuing accreditation.
Status & Scope
Understand how the formal accreditation decision connects to institutional status and approved educational scope.
Institution Directory
Locate available institutional records for institutions holding ACISC international institutional accreditation.
Maintaining Accreditation
Review continuing institutional responsibilities following an accreditation decision.
Apply for Accreditation
Begin the institutional accreditation pathway and establish the institution’s proposed accreditation scope.
From Institutional Evaluation to Accreditation Decision
ACISC’s international institutional accreditation process connects accreditation standards, institutional self-evaluation, documented evidence, external evaluation and professional review with formal accreditation decision-making.
The resulting decision establishes the applicable accreditation outcome and connects accredited institutions with identifiable status, approved scope, continuing accreditation requirements and institutional records.