Accreditation illusion: How reports overshadow reality in higher education

Someone commented recently: “NBA, NAAC, NIRF, world rankings — all are a game of chakravyuh. They don’t change quality, just collect papers. Like makeup — looks good till it fades.” And that line stayed with me. Because yes — many institutions do get trapped. Endless reports, sudden audits, data without direction. But the real problem isn’t the system — it’s how we approach it. We keep chasing scores, not substance. If we shift that energy toward research, innovation, and faculty development — the same frameworks can become powerful engines of growth. That’s exactly why we built our Publication Accelerator — to help institutions and faculty publish quality research that drives real impact, not just documentation. Because the only way out of the chakravyuh… is through learning, collaboration, and meaningful research. Keep learning. Keep building. Keep moving forward.

When institutions want to make accreditation smarter, Jessica Shedd shows them how. As Assistant Provost for Assessment and Institutional Research at Tulane University, she leads with data — not just collecting it, but connecting it in innovative ways that reveal new insights about student learning and institutional performance. Jessica’s chapter, Innovative Use of National and State Data for Accreditation, in The Power of Strategic Accreditation, demonstrates how colleges and universities can move beyond compliance to uncover patterns that drive improvement. Her work proves that when data is used strategically, accreditation becomes less about reporting and more about revealing what really works. 📚 Learn more about the 80+ other contributing authors who’ve contributed to IEHE's books: https://lnkd.in/ghJKW9Di ✨ The Institute for Effectiveness in Higher Education® (IEHE) brings together forward thinkers through collaborative projects that surface innovative practices and elevate bold voices across higher ed. 👉 Want to gain your next advantage? Subscribe to the Forward Edge newsletter -- where higher ed impact-leaders learn from forward thinkers to gain their next advantage: https://lnkd.in/gFVGbkN

Accreditation doesn’t have to be about compliance. Jessica Shedd’s work at Tulane University shows how national and state data, when used wisely, reveal patterns that fuel both accountability and innovation. Money follows mission when data becomes insight.

"Within this structure, the “shortcut” is not a moral lapse. It is an adaptive response. The scholar facing multiple rejections and limited recognition must decide between two losses. Credibility or visibility. Visibility usually wins because appraisal forms and ranking dashboards register only what can be counted. Quantification translates ethical reasoning into technical reasoning. When output quantity substitutes for evaluation of quality, the question shifts from should I? to can I afford not to? The system converts hesitation into inefficiency." #highereducation #publication #IndianAcademia https://lnkd.in/gW_cJqe6

How do we evaluate the quality of innovative assessments, especially those designed to support deeper learning and instructional relevance? Lyons Assessment Consulting, WCEPS and KnowledgeWorks explore this in their new publication, “Evaluating Technical Quality in the Context of Assessment Innovation.” It offers a case study, policy recommendations and a call to rethink federal peer review processes. This report is part of a collection of research on innovative assessment approaches and alternative accountability models coordinated under The K12 Research for Equity Hub, managed by EduDream. Read the full report: https://lnkd.in/geu52jWu Susan Lyons, Sara Christopherson, Julianna Charles Brown, Samuel Ihlenfeldt, Lillian Pace #RethinkingK12Accountabilty #AssessmentInnovation #DeeperLearning #EducationPolicy

How to Fight Misinformation Effectively | #CSCW2025 In his paper, "The Phase Model of Misinformation Interventions," Prof. Hendrik Heuer presents the first systematic, interdisciplinary study of interventions against misinformation. His research shows that promoting media literacy, teaching critical thinking in schools and universities, and supporting independent verification of claims are widely considered effective by experts. In contrast, deleting misinformation remains highly controversial. To help practitioners make informed decisions, Heuer introduces a phase model that demonstrates how different interventions can be coordinated and combined across stages to maximize their effectiveness.   📊 The graphic below shows which interventions can target misinformation in three phases (before creation, before detection, after detection), categorized by type (Educating, Labeling, Providing Evidence, Deleting) and by expert agreement.   Hendrik will present on October 20, 2025, at CSCW 2025 in Bergen, Norway.   📖 Read the paper here: https://lnkd.in/eHaPTyxT News article about the paper on our website: https://lnkd.in/e3gDaYsT 💡If you would like to learn more about this topic, feel free to contact Hendrik Heuer here on LinkedIn. #CSCW 

🌐 Strengthening Quality and Accreditation in Higher Education with the SMART Institutional Excellence Plan In today’s higher education landscape, quality assurance (QA) and accreditation demand transparent, evidence-based, and internationally comparable data. The SMART Institutional Excellence Plan by AD Scientific Index empowers universities, hospitals, and research institutions to: ✅ Provide auditable and evidence-based data for internal and external evaluations 🌍 Benchmark performance transparently at global, national, and institutional levels 📊 Document continuous improvement cycles and strategic development ⚖️ Promote equity, accountability, and inclusiveness across disciplines 💰 Reduce administrative burden and costs through automated data integration 🧭 Offer clear, measurable indicators for accreditation and strategic planning 📡 Strengthen student-centeredness, visibility, and societal contribution Through SMART’s modular structure—including real-time institutional dashboards, academic contribution analytics, benchmarking tools, and visibility enhancers—institutions can go beyond compliance, actively shaping their quality frameworks and international standing. ✅ “SMART doesn’t just help institutions meet accreditation standards — it positions them among the leaders who define those standards.” 🚀 Go beyond documenting quality. With SMART, manage quality, boost visibility, and shape your future. #HigherEducation #QualityAssurance #Accreditation #UniversityStrategy #SMARTModules #InstitutionalExcellence #ADScientificIndex

Elevate Education Excellence Today 🎓 Redefining Quality in Higher Education Starts Here Accreditation and quality assurance are no longer just compliance checklists — they’re strategic tools for growth, visibility, and global competitiveness. With the SMART Institutional Excellence Plan by AD Scientific Index, your institution can: ✅ Deliver real-time, evidence-based data 🌍 Benchmark performance at national and international levels ⚖️ Promote equity, transparency, and accountability 📈 Reduce costs while boosting quality Go beyond reporting. Start leading. 📡 Explore the future of QA and accreditation at adscientificindex.com #HigherEducation #QualityAssurance #Accreditation #AcademicExcellence #StrategicPlanning #UniversityLeadership #SMARTPlan #ADScientificIndex #EducationInnovation #InstitutionalEffectiveness #GlobalBenchmarking #DataDrivenEducation

ICYMI: In September, QM and Amy Grincewicz, Ph.D. released a FREE white paper, Building Quality from the Ground Up: A Systemic Approach to Online Degree Programs. Download the full white paper today to learn how your institution can: >> Build interconnected curricular systems, rather than isolated course sequences. >> Build internal investment from the start and reduce faculty resistance. >> Uplevel your data game, identifying students at risk and tracking outcomes far beyond graduation to improve your work. >> Go beyond compliance toward building an institutional culture of quality. And so much more! Access the white paper today: https://ow.ly/7Kzz50WZA8J