§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how much money the Council for the Accreditation of Correspondence Colleges has received in each year since it was set up, at constant prices ; and how much it will receive in the current year.
§ Dr. BoysonThe council derives most of its income from subscriptions paid by accredited colleges, but for the past three years my Department has made a fixed annual grant of £5,000. This is to be increased to £7,000 for the current year and next year. At constant November 1979 prices these sums represent £7,000 and £8,000 respectively.
§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many staff work for the Council for the Accreditation of Correspondence Colleges ; and how this compares with the figures for each year since it was established.
§ Dr. BoysonFrom its establishment in 1969 until 1979 the council operated with a staff of three. There are now four full-time members of staff.
§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many applications for recognition have been received by the Council for the Accreditation of Correspondence Courses in each year since it was established ; how many have been approved in each case ; and how many have been placed on the black list in each case
§ Dr. BoysonThis information is not available in the form requested, but I understand that 37 colleges are currently accredited and that the number of new570W accreditations and re-accreditations has averaged eight a year since the council was established. I have no knowledge of how many applications have been refused or of any black list ; those are matters entirely for the council.
§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement about the work being carried out by the Council for the Accreditation of Correspondence Colleges.
§ Dr. BoysonThe council is an independent non-profit-making body. Its chairman and five members are nominated by my right hon. and learned Friend ; the other five members are elected by the accredited colleges. The process of accreditation is carried out by panels of independent assessors appointed by the council and accreditation, if granted, is reviewed periodically.
Colleges are not obliged to apply for accreditation, but there is a growing recognition of the advantages to be gained. Since its inception in 1969 the council has done valuable work in setting and maintaining standards of postal tuition and in protecting the interests of both students and colleges.