ACISC Accreditation Framework & Protocol
A Structured Framework for Institutional Evaluation and Continuous Improvement
The Accrediting Council for International Schools and Colleges (ACISC) applies an international accreditation framework connecting institutional purpose, educational quality, student well-being, learning, global citizenship, evidence and continuous improvement.
The framework provides the broader structure through which eligible institutions examine institutional effectiveness and educational practice, while applicable ACISC accreditation standards establish the specific requirements used in evaluation.
The ACISC accreditation protocol connects this framework with institutional preparation, self-study, evidence, external evaluation, professional review, formal accreditation decisions and continuing accreditation responsibilities.
Four Core Drivers of Institutional Quality
The ACISC accreditation framework is organized around four interconnected drivers that provide context for institutional reflection, evidence and evaluation.
Purpose & Direction
Examines how institutional mission, vision, values and strategic priorities guide leadership, educational decisions, planning, resources and institutional development.
Well-Being
Examines the conditions, systems and responsibilities that support student welfare, protection, safety, dignity and well-being within the educational environment.
Learning
Examines curriculum, teaching, assessment, student support, educational experiences and evidence of student progress and learning.
Global Citizenship
Examines how education develops intercultural understanding, ethical responsibility, respect for diverse perspectives and responsible participation in an interconnected world.
Connect Institutional Purpose With Practice
An institution’s mission, vision and values establish direction for educational and organizational development.
Within the ACISC framework, institutions examine how their stated purpose influences leadership, governance, curriculum, student experience, staffing, resources, planning and institutional priorities.
Evidence should demonstrate how institutional purpose moves from stated commitments into implemented practice and measurable institutional development.
Purpose in Institutional Practice
Mission and vision
Institutional values
Strategic priorities
Leadership and governance
Educational direction
Resource allocation
Institutional development
Support Safe and Effective Educational Environments
Student well-being forms an important component of educational quality and institutional responsibility.
Institutions examine the policies, responsibilities, systems and practices that support student welfare, protection, safety, dignity and access to appropriate support.
Evidence should demonstrate that relevant institutional responsibilities are understood, implemented and reviewed within the educational environment.
Institutional Well-Being
Student welfare
Protection and safeguarding
Health and safety
Student support
Institutional responsibilities
Policies and procedures
Monitoring and improvement
Evaluate Educational Quality and Student Learning
Learning is central to the educational purpose of an institution.
The ACISC framework examines how curriculum, teaching, learning, assessment and student support contribute to meaningful educational experiences and intended outcomes.
Institutions use appropriate evidence to understand student progress, evaluate the effectiveness of educational practice and identify priorities for improvement.
Learning and Educational Quality
Curriculum
Teaching and instruction
Learning experiences
Assessment
Student progress
Student support
Educational outcomes
Education Within an Interconnected World
Global citizenship considers how institutions prepare learners to understand and engage responsibly with diverse communities and an interconnected world.
Institutions may examine how educational experiences develop intercultural understanding, ethical responsibility, respect for different perspectives, communication across cultures and awareness of global issues.
Global citizenship can be reflected through curriculum, educational experiences, service, leadership, community engagement and other relevant aspects of institutional practice.
Global Learning
Intercultural understanding
Ethical responsibility
Diverse perspectives
Cross-cultural communication
Responsible participation
Community engagement
Awareness of global issues
Connect Institutional Claims With Evidence
The ACISC framework is applied through institutional reflection supported by relevant evidence.
Institutions examine their practices, identify evidence, evaluate implementation and effectiveness, recognize strengths and determine priorities for further development.
Evidence may include institutional policies, governance records, curriculum documentation, assessment information, student-support systems, institutional data, outcomes, improvement plans and other materials relevant to applicable accreditation standards.
The purpose of evidence is not simply to increase documentation. Evidence should help the institution and evaluators understand institutional practice and effectiveness.
Evidence-Informed Reflection
What is the institution seeking to achieve?
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How is that purpose implemented?
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What evidence demonstrates practice?
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What does the evidence show?
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What should the institution improve?
The Framework Provides Context; Standards Establish Requirements
The ACISC accreditation framework and accreditation standards perform related but distinct functions.
The framework provides broad context for examining institutional purpose, well-being, learning, global citizenship, evidence and improvement.
Applicable ACISC accreditation standards establish the specific institutional requirements against which evidence and practice are evaluated.
Institutions should therefore use the framework together with the standards, policies and procedures applicable to their accreditation pathway.
A Connected Evaluation Structure
Framework
Provides the broader institutional context.
Standards
Establish applicable accreditation requirements.
Evidence
Demonstrates institutional practice and implementation.
Evaluation
Examines evidence against applicable requirements.
Improvement
Uses findings to strengthen institutional effectiveness.
Applying the Framework Through the Accreditation Process
The accreditation protocol connects the ACISC framework and standards with the practical stages of institutional accreditation.
Eligibility & Preparation
The institution reviews applicable requirements and prepares for participation in the accreditation pathway.
Self-Study & Evidence
The institution examines its practices against the framework and applicable accreditation standards.
External Evaluation
Professional evaluation examines institutional evidence and practice against applicable standards.
Review & Decision
The applicable institutional record proceeds through professional review and formal accreditation decision-making.
Institutional Reflection Meets Independent Evaluation
The institutional self-study provides a structured opportunity to examine institutional performance through the ACISC framework and applicable accreditation standards.
The institution identifies evidence, evaluates effectiveness, recognizes strengths and establishes priorities for improvement.
External evaluation then provides a professional perspective on the institution’s self-study, supporting evidence and institutional practice.
Evaluation findings contribute to the accreditation record considered through the applicable review and decision-making process.
From Reflection to Review
Institutional self-study
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Supporting evidence
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External evaluation
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Evaluation findings
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Professional review
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Formal accreditation decision
Use Evidence and Evaluation to Strengthen Institutional Effectiveness
Continuous improvement is an integral part of the ACISC accreditation framework.
Institutions use evidence, self-study and evaluation findings to identify priorities, implement appropriate actions, monitor progress and refine institutional practice.
Improvement is therefore a continuing institutional responsibility rather than an activity undertaken only in preparation for accreditation review.
For institutions holding ACISC international accreditation, this principle continues through applicable monitoring, reporting, institutional-change and reaccreditation processes.
Continuous Improvement Cycle
Evaluate
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Identify priorities
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Plan improvement
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Implement action
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Monitor evidence
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Evaluate effectiveness
A Framework for Diverse Educational Environments
ACISC applies its international accreditation framework across eligible institutions operating within diverse educational, cultural and institutional environments.
Institutions may operate under different educational traditions, legal systems, community expectations and models of educational delivery.
The framework provides a common structure for institutional evaluation while applicable accreditation standards establish the requirements relevant to the institution and accreditation pathway.
International Institutional Context
Schools and international schools
Colleges and universities
Higher education institutions
Institutes and academies
Professional and technical education
Vocational and workforce education
Training and continuing education
Medical and healthcare education
Specialized educational institutions
The Accrediting Council for International Schools and Colleges
ACISC | The Accrediting Council for International Schools and Colleges provides international institutional accreditation for eligible educational institutions.
ACISC develops accreditation standards, evaluates institutions, applies evidence-based review, determines accreditation through its applicable decision-making process and maintains continuing accreditation requirements for institutions holding ACISC international accreditation.
ACISC
The Accrediting Council for International Schools and Colleges
1177 Avenue of the Americas
New York City, NY 10036
USA
Email:
info@acisc.org
A Connected Framework for International Institutional Accreditation
The ACISC accreditation framework connects institutional purpose and educational quality with evidence, professional evaluation and continuous improvement.
The accreditation protocol applies that framework through self-study, external evaluation, professional review, formal decision-making and continuing accreditation.