Accreditation for Faith Based Institutions
IEAC is dedicated to assisting all Faith Based Institutions through the accreditation process. However, many accrediting bodies find that faith-based institutions present challenges due to the potential conflict between:
- Upholding religious doctrine and at the same time ensuring a secular standard of education.
- Concerns over curriculum integration of religious beliefs.
- Teacher hiring practices based on faith.
- Admissions policies that prioritise religious affiliation.
- Navigating the boundaries of religious expression within the school environment, potentially leading to issues with inclusivity and non-discriminatory practices.
IEAC does not see this as an issue. The problem is that most accrediting bodies, especially US accrediting bodies expect the institutions ‘statement of faith’ to align exactly with theirs. At IEAC we understand that there are many ways of expressing one’s faith and indeed teaching at faith-based organisations.
One of the other issues is that of an institution demonstrating inclusivity and diversity.
- Most accrediting bodies won’t accept that faith-based institutions must employ
- In general, similar faith teachers and in some cases employ teachers of other faiths in order to teach comparative religion or history of religion.
- Also, many faith-based institutions teach secular programs.
At IEAC we understand the need for flexibility and understanding and we do not impose any particular ‘statement of faith’, teaching or ethics.
We are happy to consider for accreditation any faith-based institution.
What does IEAC accreditation mean for students?
- Institutions which hold IEAC accreditation are inspected regularly to check the quality of their training and learning provision which continually helps them to maintain their high standards.
- For international students looking to study at a faith-based institution or faculty, choosing an IEAC-accredited institution or faculty will provide them and their families with a peace of mind that they will be receiving the very best faith-based education and support in a friendly, clean and safe environment.
If you are interested in having your Religious School or Faculty accredited, then please click the button below and a member of IEAC staff will be in touch with you.
Accreditation for Language Institutions and Faculties
IEAC is dedicated to improving the quality of provision of language education around the world.
Apart from a few countries where there are semi voluntary accreditation schemes, and a small number of international accreditation bodies there is very little oversight of the sector.
- In most countries, English language schools are considered to be private training providers and are therefore not seen as an integral part of the formal education sector. The net effect of this is that the vast majority of EFL language schools aren’t regulated or quality assured. This has led to the industry suffering from an image problem.
- Stories abound of classes being staffed with teachers whose only qualification is that they are native English speakers.
- Whilst we are sure that some unqualified staff are excellent teachers there are very few other areas of education provision where it would be acceptable to employ teaching staff without any teaching qualifications or experience. This means the industry plays host, at one extreme, to outstanding high quality, accredited providers of English language education but at the other end of the spectrum, schools delivering poor quality education that take advantage of the lack of an independent quality assurance mechanism.
- The final part of the quality issue is the characteristics of the language teaching market. Very low barriers of entry mean almost anyone can set up a school. As a result, competition is fierce with branding becoming the key differentiator for students rather than actual quality of provision.
At IEAC, we believe that we can really make a difference and contribute to supporting and developing good practice within the language sector, and not just the English sector as there is developing demand for the teaching of Spanish, Chinese, Japanese and Korean.
IEAC has developed standards that
- Incorporate assessment systems, monitoring of student progress, teacher qualifications, CPD, safeguarding, welfare, health and safety, financial viability and the quality of the premises.
- Language institutions and Faculties who are accredited by IEAC will gain greater credibility with students, parents, universities and importantly visa officers. Meaning that students will be attracted to language schools who are accredited, especially those who are accredited by IEAC.
- Accreditation guarantees the quality of the accredited centres which include language teaching in language schools, summer schools, home-tuition providers, independent schools/colleges, further education colleges and universities and their specialist faculties.
The IEAC inspection looks at many areas including
- How an institution is managed, the overall upkeep of the premises, the level of facilities and resources available and the academic management of teaching and student welfare.
- IEAC monitors and improves standards of management, teaching, resources, welfare and care
What does IEAC accreditation mean for students?
Institutions which hold IEAC accreditation are inspected regularly to check the quality of their training and learning provision which continually helps them to maintain their high standards.
For International students looking to study a language, choosing an IEAC-accredited institution or faculty will provide students and their families with the peace of mind that they will be receiving the very best language teaching and support in a friendly, clean and safe environment.
If you are interested in having your institution or specialised faculty accredited then please click on the button below and an IEAC member of staff will be in touch with you.
