News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 10, 2016
Taft College Accreditation Reaffirmed
A nearly two-year institutional review process culminated last week with the announcement that the
Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) reaffirmed accreditation for Taft
College for 18 months with a follow-up report due March 15, 2017.
Accreditation is a voluntary process colleges and universities undergo to evaluate and assure the
quality of education used by the American higher education community. The ACCJC evaluates and
accredits public and private postsecondary institutions that offer two-year education programs and
award the associate degree.
The process is conducted on a six-year cycle. Colleges initiate the process by completing a selfevaluation which describes how it meets accreditation standards set by the ACCJC. The Taft College
Self-Evaluation Report, a 240+ page document, was developed by a team of over sixty college faculty,
staff and administrators. The process of developing the report began in fall 2013 and was submitted
to ACCJC in July, 2015.
Following the submission of the Self Evaluation Report, a team of outside reviewers consisting of
faculty, staff and administrators from other colleges, visited the campus in late September 2015. The
external site visit included interviews with faculty, staff and students to verify the information in the
Self Evaluation Report and examine the evidence cited in the report. The team provides a written
report of their findings to the ACCJC, which then considers all aspects in determining if accreditation
should be reaffirmed.
“Accreditation is a peer review process allowing colleges the opportunity to evaluate their quality of
education against a defined set of standards. This process proves invaluable as we strive for
continuous improvement while strengthening the educational experience for our students.” Brock
McMurray Interim Superintendent/President
The visiting team of peer evaluators commended the College for its Transition to Independent Living
(TIL) program which pairs students in the program with other Taft College students, noting that the
program contributes richly to the educational experience of all students and to the atmosphere of
student success at Taft College. The team also commended the College for its excellent facilities
planning, as well as its engagement with students and vibrant student life. Further, the team
commended the College leadership for its engagement and transformation of a campus culture of
change related to integrated planning, data analysis, and institutional effectiveness leading to
student success and continuous improvement.
To view ACCJC’s documents select Action Letter, Visiting Team’s Report and the College SelfEvaluation.
###