A. Purpose of the Refresher Training
The PEV Refresher Training is intended to provide a review of the ABET accreditation evaluation processes and procedures for experienced program evaluators (PEVs). Completion of the Refresher Training is required every five years for all PEVs, or after a lapse in service as a PEV for two years. A PEV who has not completed the required Refresher Training will not be eligible to be assigned to an On-Site review as a PEV.
The Refresher Training material will be mostly or entirely a review for experienced PEVs. Although the material is intended primarily as a review (“refresher”), it is fairly complete in coverage of its topics in order to provide details for those who may need them. Completion of the Refresher Training should require from two to three hours, depending on reading speed and level of familiarity with the topics.
B. Assignment to a Site Visit
Upon successful completion of this Program Evaluator Refresher program, including all three Proficiency Assessments, you will be eligible to be assigned to a visit by your ABET member society the upcoming cycle, based upon the number of programs being visited. For more information, contact your member society.
C. Background
What Is ABET?
ABET is the recognized U.S.-based accreditor of college and university programs in applied science, computing, engineering, and technology.
What Is Accreditation?
In the United States, accreditation is a non-governmental, peer-review process that assures the quality of the postsecondary education students receive. Educational institutions or programs volunteer to undergo this review periodically to determine if certain criteria are being met. (NOTE: Outside the United States, accreditation is not necessarily voluntary nor non-governmental. Please visit the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) website for more information on the world's postsecondary education systems and their quality assurance mechanisms.)
It is important to understand that accreditation is not a ranking system. It is an assurance that a program or institution meets established quality standards. In addition, the role of ABET accreditation is to provide periodic external assessment and evaluation in support of the program's continuous improvement process.
D. ABET Vision and Mission
ABET Vision
ABET is recognized as the worldwide leader in assuring quality and stimulating innovation in applied science, computing, engineering, and engineering technology education.
ABET Mission
ABET serves the public globally through the promotion and advancement of education in applied science, computing, engineering, and technology. ABET:
- Accredits educational programs.
- Promotes quality and innovation in education.
- Consults and assists in the development and advancement of education worldwide in a financially self-sustaining manner.
- Communicates with our constituencies and the public regarding activities and accomplishments.
- Anticipates and prepares for the changing environment and the future needs of constituencies.
- Manages the operations and resources to be effective and fiscally responsible.
E. ABET's Philosophy of Outcomes-Based Accreditation
ABET's accreditation procedures and processes historically have been intended for programs that prepare graduates for entry into a profession appropriate to the program's discipline. The decision on the appropriate accreditation action for a program is made on the basis of the extent to which the relevant criteria for the program are met. It is the institution's responsibility to demonstrate how the program meets the relevant criteria.
ABET's current accreditation processes are strongly oriented toward Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) and outcomes-based accreditation. An educational program CQI process should reflect a clear understanding of:
- Mission
- Constituents
- Objectives
- Outcomes
- Processes (internal practice to achieve the outcomes)
- Facts (data collection)
- Evaluation (interpretation of facts) and
- Action (feedback to support decision making and improve processes)
F. Who Is Involved in the ABET Accreditation Process?
The accreditation process requires the participation of many individuals, institutions, and organizations:
- ABET
- ABET member societies
- Institutions and programs requesting accreditation
- Team Chairs
- Program Evaluators
Each of the ABET member societies is invited to have representation on one or more of the four ABET accreditation commissions, according to the curricular areas that the ABET Board of Directors assigns to those societies.
The four ABET accreditation commissions are the:
The accreditation commissions are responsible for administering the ABET Accreditation Process, conducting accreditation reviews, and determining accreditation actions (by vote of the entire membership), based on the Accreditation Policies and Procedures Manual (APPM) and on the accreditation criteria. The commissions are also responsible for the continuous review and enhancement of criteria, policies and procedures.
Read the current Accreditation Policies and Procedures Manual (APPM) and the Criteria for each commission.
The Accreditation Council (AC) is comprised of leadership (Chair, Past-Chair and Chair Elect) from the four accreditation commissions. The Accreditation Council is responsible for improving the effectiveness, efficiency, and uniformity of the accreditation process.
Changes to the accreditation criteria and to the Accreditation Policies and Procedures proposed by the commissions and the Accreditation Council are approved by the ABET Board of Directors.
Please click here for an illustration of ABET's organization (PDF).
You'll learn more about how the ABET Criteria are based on CQI in Module 5: Applying the Criteria and how it relates to assessing student learning in Module 4: Continuous Quality Improvement of Student Learning.
Outcomes-based accreditation focuses on:
- Learning, not teaching
- Students, not faculty
- Outcomes, not inputs or capacity
G. ABET Code of Conduct
ABET holds its staff and volunteers to the highest standards of conduct.
ABET's Code of Conduct (Section IX of ABET Rules of Procedures) explicitly describes behavior that is and is not acceptable when you participate in ABET activities.
In addition, you must abide by ABET's Conflict of Interest policy and ABET's Confidentiality Policies (found in the Accreditation Policy and Procedure Manual, Sections II.B. and II.C.).
Please take a moment and review these two policies now.