services to students, including instructional programs, support services, and learning resources. It also requires the college to maintain an environment conducive to diverse learning. Standard two is by far the most substantive of the standards.
Section II.A - Instructional Programs. The first section, II.A, is concerned with instructional programs. The college must offer recognized and emergent programs of study that culminate in measurable outcomes, such as degrees, certifications,
employment, or transfer. These programs must be systematically evaluated in order to maintain relevancy, improve teaching and learning, and achieve learning goals. There are eight untitled subsections under the instructional programs section.
The first subsection requires that instructional programs support the mission and integrity of the institution. Three points are itemized under this subsection. The college must: 1) provide programs that meet the diverse and unique needs of the target population as determined through research and assessed by progress towards achieving outcomes goals, 2) employ appropriate instructional delivery systems, 3) identify student-learning outcomes for courses, programs, certificates, and degrees, asses the progress towards achieving these outcomes, and make improvements based on assessment.
for all of its instructional programs. Five specific requirements are itemized under this subsection. The college must: a) develop and employ systemic approaches for
establishing, administering, and delivering courses and programs, b) rely on the faculty expertise in establishing student-learning outcomes, c) maintain rigorous and
compressive programs, d) employ delivery processes appropriate for the target
population, e) evaluate all courses and programs through ongoing systemic processes, f) engage in continual assessment of established student-learning outcomes, work to improve these outcomes, and communicate them to stakeholders, g) validate any examinations that measure learning outcomes, h) award credit on the basis of students achieving established course learning outcomes, and i) award certificates or degree based on students achieving established programmatic learning outcomes.
The third subsection requires the college to sustain a valid general education program as a component of all instructional programs. Valid general education programs must have comprehensive learning outcomes that provide students with a) an
understanding of the major areas of knowledge, b) the ability to engage in life-long
learning, and c) and understanding of what it means to be a productive and ethical citizen. The fourth subsection requires that the college's degree programs include at least one area of focused study. The fifth subsection requires that students who complete certifications and degrees possess the necessary competencies for employment in the field.
The sixth subsection requires the college to provide clear and accurate
itemized. The college must: a) make transfer credit policies available and assesses articulation agreements to ensure learning outcomes are comparable, b) make
arrangements so that when programs change, students can continue making academic process with minimal disruption, and c) accurately and consistently represent itself to stakeholders.
The seventh subsection requires colleges to publicize board-approved policies supporting academic freedom, student honesty, and guiding beliefs. Three requirements are itemized under this subsection: a) faculty must present subject matter in a fair and unbiased manner, b) expectations for student honesty must be disseminated, and c) institutions that require the adoption of specific beliefs must provide prior notice to target populations.
The eighth subsection requires colleges to conform to ACCJC standards when operating internationally.
Section II.B - Student Support Services. The second section of Standard II focuses on student support services. The college must recruit and admit diverse students and provide a student pathway from access to success that meets the needs of these students. Student services must be evaluated in an ongoing and systemic way to improve these services. There are four untitled subsections under the student services section.
The first subsection requires the colleges to ensure that student services are of a high quality and support learning outcomes and the institutional mission. The second subsection requires the college to provide a catalog of its services that include general information, requirements for students, policies that impact students, and locations of
policies.
The third subsection requires the college to research the needs of student and provide appropriate services based on these needs. Six requirements are itemized under this subsection. The college must: a) provide equal access to all student services, b) sustain a campus climate that encourages student development, c) administer a
counseling service program that supports student and advisor development, d) administer programs that enhances the understanding of diversity among students, e) engage in ongoing evaluation of entrance processes, and f) consistently evaluate student services as they support student-learning outcomes and make improvements based on this
evaluation.
II.C - Library and Learning Support Services. The third and final section of Standard II focuses on library and learning support services, such as tutoring, computing, and training. These services must be sufficient to support the existing instructional programs and regularly assessed. There are two untitled subsections under the library and student services section. The first requires the college to provide a sufficient degree, quality, and variety of services. Five requirements are itemized. The college must: a) select and maintain appropriate equipment and materials, b) provide information competency instruction, c) provide adequate access to services, d) maintain and secure support services, and e) establish and document any inter-institutional agreements for providing library and learning resources. The second subsection requires colleges to consistently evaluate library and learning resources as they contribute to student-learning outcomes and implement improvements based on this evaluation.