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AdvancED, pronounced "Advance ED" and also known as Advance Education, Inc., is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that accredits primary and secondary schools throughout the United States and internationally. AdvancED was formed in 2006 by the consolidation of the pre-college divisions of two of the U.S. regional accreditation organizations: the Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA CASI), and the Council on Accreditation and School Improvement of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS CASI). In 2012 the Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC) joined AdvancED. As the parent organization or the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI), AdvancED brings together more than 100 years of experience in accreditation and school improvement.

At the end of the 2010-2011 AdvancED reported that it served more than 27,000 institutions including 3,000 that were engaged in school improvement but not yet accredited.

AdvancED works with education providers to improve student learning through accreditation, research and professional learning. The organization also provides school improvement services, products and resources, and advocacy on educational policy and practice.

AdvancED’s accreditation process provides a systematic program of evaluation. This program evaluates that an institution meets pre-defined standards and that it demonstrates a continuous commitment to providing quality education programs that are aimed at improving student performance.

The organization has headquarters in Alpharetta, Georgia and Tempe, Arizona along with 40 state/regional offices including offices for the Navajo Nation, Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) and Puerto Rico; three regional offices representing the Northeast, Southeast and Northwest; and three international offices located in Cairo, Saudi Arabia and Shanghai.

North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI)
Founded in 1895, NCA CASI accredits public and private schools and school systems in 19 states-Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Ohio, South Dakota, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming as well as the Navajo Nation and the Department of Defense Schools overseas. NCA CASI accredits a range of schools from pre-kindergarten through post-secondary, including: early childhood, elementary, middle, secondary, adult/vocational, college preparatory, special purpose, unit (K-12) and non-degree granting post-secondary schools.

In 2006, AdvancED was established with the unification of NCA CASI, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI) and the National Study of School Evaluation (NSSE) creating the world’s largest education community. Today, NCA CASI acts as an accreditation division of AdvancED.

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI)
As one of six regional accreditors in the United States, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, founded in 1895, accredits colleges and schools in the 11 Southern states-Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia and in Mexico, Central and South America, the islands of the Caribbean and other geographical areas. Its central purpose is to improve education in the South and other geographical areas through the process of accreditation. The K-12 division of SACS, the Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI), accredits 13,000 schools in the region.

In 2006, AdvancED was established with the unification of SACS CASI, the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), and the National Study of School Evaluation (NSSE) creating the world’s largest education community. Today, SACS CASI acts as an accreditation division of AdvancED.

Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC)
The Northwest Association of Secondary and Higher Schools was formed as a voluntary organization in 1917 with a membership of 25 secondary schools and eight higher institutions in four Northwestern states. The organization evolved over the years and in 2010, as a result of a restructuring plan, the name was changed to Northwest Accreditation Commission (NWAC). Presently, the organization accredits in seven states: Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington.

In 2011, the NWAC Commission and Board of Trustees voted to approve new bylaws that officially made NWAC a division of AdvancED. Beginning July 1, 2012, NWAC joined AdvancED as the third accreditation division.