ACA position concerning the CCE and LUCC .. 1/03:

STATEMENT ON CCE GENERATES INTERESTING COMMENTS

My January 6th EVP report included a statement of support for the 
work that the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) does.  I 
received seven or eight fairly detailed responses criticizing ACA for 
this position, some even accusing the ACA of being anti-Life 
University. 

The ACA supports CCE's decision relative to the loss of Life's 
accreditation since, from what we understand, Life was not 
following CCE standards. However, my report also included a 
paragraph that was obviously missed or ignored by many.  It stated 
that the ACA had requested that the CCE review its 2-year 
requirement before a school can apply for accreditation status. The 
ACA letter, which was signed by the ACA Chairman and the ACA 
President and sent to CCE President Dr. Reed Phillips, requested that 
the 2-year CCE standard in question be changed.

ACA sent the letter because we believe that the Life University 
Board of
Trustees has taken important steps to correct the problems that 
caused the institution's loss of accreditation status. The current 
CCE Standards would preclude Life from applying at this time even if 
it had corrected all of its problems. 

It is my understanding that this issue was discussed extensively by 
the CCE Board of Directors last week and assigned to a task force 
for study.  It is also my understanding that the ACA was the only 
national or state
organization that raised this issue with the CCE Board of Directors.  
Based on the ACA's proactive letter in support of fairness for Life 
University, it is simply ridiculous for anyone to attempt to now 
paint the ACA as being anti-Life University.  Those who criticize our 
position should ask a legitimate question of other organizations.  
Where were they?  Where
are the letters to CCE from other associations raising this 
important issue?As far as I know, other than Life University, the 
ACA was the only
organization to request a review of the two-year rule.  A copy of the 
ACA's letter to Dr Phillips follows.  We intend to continue to 
monitor the
situation to ensure that Life University is treated fairly in its 
efforts to regain accreditation.

December 3, 2002

Reed Philips, DC, PhD, President
Council on Chiropractic Education
8049 North 85th Way
Scottsdale, AZ  85258-4321
 
Dear Dr. Phillips:
 
As representatives of the ACA who have been long-time supporters 
of high educational standards and the work of the Council on 
Chiropractic Education, we are writing to suggest an amendment to 
the CCE Standards.  We direct your attention to Section III, A. 1. that 
reads as follows:
 e.  In place for the most recent two-year period, the following 
items as
described in detail in the CCE Standards.
 
 (1)	Formal action taken by its governing board at a legally 
constituted meeting that commits the DCP to follow the Standards, 
Policies and procedures for accreditation, as set forth in various 
official CCE documents.
 (2)	 DCP mission, goals, and objectives that embrace those stated 
in the Standards, Section 2.
 (3)	 A DCP that complies with the Standards.
The ACA is concerned that Item e.(3) could be strictly interpreted to 
mean a chiropractic program must be in full compliance with all CCE 
standards for two years prior to applying for accreditation.  In our 
opinion, that interpretation would be illogical since the 
accreditation process
(self-study, site visits, etc.) only begins after formal application is
made.  If applied in this manner to Life University, we believe their 
re-accreditation effort would be unfairly harmed.

To better clarify the intent of this provision, we believe it would be
beneficial for the CCE Board of Directors to amend line e. to read as
follows: "In place at the time of application, the following items as
described in detail in the CCE Standards."  If the "two-year period" 
needs
to be retained in the Standards, and alternative solution would be to
replace the term "complies with" in item (3) with the word 
"embraces" or the word "endorses."
 
We hope this information is helpful and look forward to hearing from 
your on this issue.

Sincerely,

Daryl D. Wills, DC
ACA President

James D. Edwards, DC
ACA Chairman