Throughout the past several months we have received feedback and questions from current and interested affiliates regarding the Accreditation Manual and the accreditation process. From that feedback we have compiled the following information that will hopefully provide members, current affiliates and interested organizations a more clear picture of WEA's accreditation.
Levels and Pricing
WEA will implement four different Accreditation levels. The four levels are as follows:
Curriculum Coverage: An organization accredited to the Steward level (SA)is one that covers the content of two-five of the core curriculum competencies (9.0 Series). In addition to content coverage, the institution assesses and evaluates students in those competencies including student judgment and decision making (8.0 series) within the context of the individual competencies.
International Registry of Outdoor Leadership: Final evaluation of students in each of the competencies will be based on student portfolio and performance as assessed using the rubrics in the IROL. Annual portfolio renewal (WEA/IROL membership) will be required to maintain the portfolio and subsequently the opportunity to pursue additional competencies working towards Outdoor Leader Certification at one or more additional WEA Accredited institutions.
Pricing: The annual fee for Steward Accredited institutions is $250.00. The annual fee will be multiplied by 2 in years of review (every 5 years). For example, if the institution becomes accredited in 2010, the accreditation fee will not be doubled until 2015.
Outdoor Leadership Accreditation:
Curriculum Coverage: An organization accredited to the Outdoor Leader Accreditation (OLA) level is one that covers the content of each of the six core competencies (entire 9.0 series). In addition to content coverage, the institution assesses and evaluates students in each competency including judgment and decision making (8.0 series) within the context of each individual competency.
International Registry of Outdoor Leadership: Students from OLA programs who demonstrate competency in each of the six core curriculum areas as determined by the OLA (based on performance and portfolio) using the rubrics within the IROL are eligible to receive Outdoor Leadership Certification through that OLA. Students who graduate from the OLA that have shown competency in oneor more, but not all six of the competencies will be prescribed a remediation prescription by that OLA to continue to work towards competency completion and ulimately Outdoor Leader Certification(OLC). Remediation and/or starting a competency over can occur at any WEA accredited insitution approved in that competency. All students completing one or more competency will be required to renew their portfolio (IROL/WEA membership) annually. For students who have their OLC, this is required to maintain certification. For students who have yet to achieve OLC, maintaining the portfolio ensures future opporutnities to pursue OLC.
Pricing: The annual fee for Outdoor Leader Accredited institutions is $550.00. The annual fee will be multiplied by 2 in years of review (every 5 years). For example, if the institution becomes accredited in 2010, the accreditation fee will not be doubled until 2015.
Steward Instructor Accreditation: Curriculum Coverage: An organization accredited to the Steward Instructor Accreditation (SIA) level is one that meets the requirements for Outdoor Leader Accreditation status and additionally meets the Assessment and Evaluation (10.0 series) for a minimum of two of the core competencies.
International Registry of Outdoor Leaders: Students graduating from a SIA have the potential to be listed as Instructor Level I in the International Registry of Outdoor Leaders. These students will have completed all requirements for Outdoor Leadership Certification as well as competency in Assessment and Evaluation based on portfolio review and rubrics in the IROL in at least two of the core competency areas. All other IROL advancement requirements including leadership field day requirements also apply. Please see the release titled International Registry of Outdoor Leaders: An Introduction for more details. These individuals will have the ability to build a SA program in their approved competencies upon graduation from the SIA.
Pricing: The annual fee for Steward Instructor Accredited institutions is $625.00. The annual fee will be multiplied by 2 in years of review (every 5 years). For example, if the institution becomes accredited in 2010, the accreditation fee will not be doubled until 2015.
Outdoor Leader Instructor Accreditation: Curriculum Coverage: An organization accredited to the Outdoor Leader Instructor Accreditation (OLIA) level is one that meets the requirements for Outdoor Leader Accreditation status and additionally meets the Assessment and Evaluation (10.0 series) for each of the six core competencies.
International Registry of Outdoor Leaders: Students graduating from a OLIA have the potential to be listed as Instructor Level II in the International Registry of Outdoor Leaders. These students will have completed all requirements for Outdoor Leadership Certification as well as competency in Assessment and Evaluation based on portfolio review and rubrics in the IROL in each of the six core competency areas. All other IROL advancement requirements including leadership field day requirements also apply. Please see the release titled International Registry of Outdoor Leaders: An Introduction for more details. These individuals will have the ability to build a OLA program. Individuals who meet the requirments of Assessment and Evaluation (10.0 Series) in two or more but not all six competencies can be granted SIA and Instructor Level I in the IROL.
Pricing: The annual fee for Outdoor Leader Instructor Accredited institutions is $625.00. The annual fee will be multiplied by 2 in years of review (every 5 years). For example, if the institution becomes accredited in 2010, the accreditation fee will not be doubled until 2015.
It is important to recognize that all WEA curricular competencies (8.0 and 9.0 series) are taught to the Outdoor Leadership Certification level regardless of Accreditation Level. This means that there is no ‘watering down’ of curricular content at any level of accreditation. For example, a Steward Accredited means only that fewer of the competencies are covered rather than all of them. The content that is covered is held to the same standards as those Affiliates Accredited at the Outdoor Leadership level or higher.
Self Study
Format Options: The WEA chose specifically to not require a specific format for submitting Self Studies. Each program is recognized as being unique and often best represented in this type of document outside of a standardized submission format. That said, here are some helpful hints in determining how to write your Self Study.
Terminology: Try to use the most up to date WEA Accreditation Terminology. Accreditation Council reviewers will be able to understand and accurately evaluate the self study if a common language is used. Competency References: As often as possible, refer to the WEA curriculum competencies and their components by the Series Numbers (8.0-10.0) assigned in the Accreditation Manual
Side by Side vs Narrative: When comparing your curriculum to the 8.0-10.0 series consider whether a side by side comparison or a narrative would best describe your curriculum. A side by side could include a visual table showing how the WEA curriculum is being covered by your institution. A narrative can also be a good option as long as references are clear and concise. A combination of Side by Side with a Narrative is a plausible option as well. Choose the option that best suits your institution!
Student Assessment and Evaluation: Be sure to note how you plan to do field/classroom assessment and evaluation of students in each of the competencies. The final rubric used to determine certification will be standardized in the IROL but if you have additional field and classroom assessment tools please be sure to include those documents and describe your methods.
10.0 Series: The 10.0 series is intended to be used for institutions going for Steward Instructor or Outdoor Leader Instructor Accreditation. The 10.0 series is looking at how you evaluate an individual student's ability to assess and evaluate their participants. The 10.0 series does not need to be completed for institutions seeking Steward or Outdoor Leader Accreditation.
As you move through the process and read the most recent press releases, please contact the National Office with . Your questions and feedback provide us with the necessary information to continue to provide clarification, updates and eventually program/document edits.
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