Assessing Educational Outcomes: Another Hurdle in the Accreditation Process

Abstract

Universities and colleges that have aviation programs have a unique mission; such programs have a primary purpose of providing graduates for productive careers in aviation and aerospace. In addition, many if not most programs are approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and are specifically taught to meet performance objectives contained in the appropriate Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs). But meeting such performance objectives may not be sufficient to meet the future demands of regional accreditation agencies. This paper is an overview of the institutional effectiveness movement, preparing for an accreditation visit, academic change, assisting faculty members to prepare performance objectives, and integrating academic programs that embrace the FARs, the academic traditions of the aviation program, and the unique and highly technical background of the faculty.