The North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement, Board of Trustees (NCACASI) was created in 1895 as a non – governmental, regionally accrediting body. The association accredits non – degree granting post secondary institutions, which includes a wide range of adult vocational schools and career enhancement programs as well as K – 12 schools. The association is also recognized as a reliable accrediting authority by the US Secretary of Education. The association is responsible for accrediting schools in 19 states, mostly located within the middle region of the US, as well as the Navajo Nation and the US Department of Defense Schools.  

The goals of this association are detailed and proactive, however the overarching focus is simple, and that is to make sure schools provide the very best quality of education for the student. To become accredited by this association, schools must meet strict regulations, some of which include hiring only high caliber teachers, providing a rich and diverse curriculum, and continually offering the student greater access to financial aid opportunities. The association also requires its accredited schools to provide a range of extracurricular activities for students as well as enhanced student support services.

The association is always working toward reaching its set goals. In April of 2006 the association joined with other nationally recognized, regionally accrediting bodies to form Advance – Ed. Advance – Ed streamlines accreditation knowledge by considering the multiple perspectives of all its members. Furthermore, the National Study of School Evaluation (NSSE) is an alliance of Advance – Ed and provides sound and tested research on school improvement. With this research Advance – Ed can adjust accreditation principles and practices to be in accord with the findings of the NSSE. Advance – Ed also continues to make sure that schools accredited by its members are maintaining high standards through periodic internal and external reviews.

The association strives to also maintain a global understanding of accreditation standards as it collaborates with the Council on International and Trans – Regional Accreditation (CITA). This international council is the worldwide leader in accreditation, and holds all its members and partners to the highest standards attainable. By connecting with national and international organizations more benefits are added for the student. Since organizations such as Advance – Ed and CITA are recognized all over the world, a student can more easily transfer to another school, whether the new school is in another state or another country.
In summary, the association is a long-standing trusted authority on school accreditation, whose foremost goal is to provide the best possible education for students. The association provides checks and balances on itself through its own internal practices and by aligning itself with both the national and international community. The association also uses research-based practices to ensure legitimate school improvement through the accreditation process. Most importantly the association takes measures to continually motivate its accredited schools by to provide the best education for students and to have that education financially accessible to the greatest amount of students.

NCACASI Official Website