Perry: Importance of accreditation is clear to see

By: Debbe Perry | Morganton News Herald
Published: November 01, 2009

Morganton, NC --

Before I moved permanently to Burke County 17 years ago, I had spent my adult life in higher education administration, with my last appointment being as vice provost and dean of enrollments at the University of Miami. I know accreditation.
Since I have lived permanently in Burke County, I have been a local Realtor. I know the importance of economic development. Without accreditation for Burke County schools, economic development will get much harder for Burke County.
Seventeen years ago it may have been good enough to get a high school diploma to get a job with one of our many industries and then to live a comfortable life. Not so today. Employers expect knowledge, decision-making skills, technical skill, a great work ethic and usually a minimum of some higher education for employment. The better prepared the job applicant, the better the chances at getting a job. And that's when there are jobs.
When times are tough economically, more people seek further training after high school. As more students compete for admission at colleges and universities, the competition gets tougher and, therefore, admissions standards get higher. Think of it as a funnel with students at the top, wide end and spaces for admission to colleges and schools at the narrow end, at the bottom of the funnel. It's a simple case of supply and demand.
Our state of North Carolina is facing unprecedented stress on its budget. At the higher-education level, we can expect sharply limited supply, but an ever-increasing demand.
Where will that leave us if we have a school system in Burke County that has lost its accreditation? Where will students from a system that has lost its accreditation fit into the funnel? I'm not saying or even implying that their applications won't be reviewed. Accreditation, the quality-control standard entered voluntarily by school systems, is considered to be the one way schools can follow basic standards recognized nationally. Who would you choose, if you had many good applications from accredited school systems mixed in with applications from a system that had willfully allowed its accreditation to be endangered or lost?
Where will that leave the industry head or the doctor or small business persons considering relocating to Burke County? I've had experience in the recruitment of these folks and the first question they always ask is, "How good is the school system?" Can you imagine their wanting their work force, much less their own children, coming out of a system that has lost its accreditation? You see, for them and for me, education is at the very core of economic development.
I contend that there are many important issues in the school board election of Nov. 3. I also contend that none is more important than complying with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools' request that the concerns that have come to their attention be addressed in a complete and timely manner.

Perry: Importance of accreditation is clear to see

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