美国高等教育认证制度的功能分析

An Analysis of Multiple Functions of Higher Education Accreditation System in the United States

认证制度作为美国高等教育的一种质量保障制度在高等教育内部以及高等教育与社会、政府的关系中具有多重功能。在高等教育内部,认证制度为高等教育市场提供了基本的标准,对市场的自由竞争起着一定的制约作用。同时,认证制度又是一种内在的统一协调力量.使地方分权管理的美国高等教育能够在必要的时候协调一致应对来自自身和社会环境的各种挑战。在与政府的关系中,认证制度是一种政府管理的重要媒介,也是对政府管理的一种制衡。认证制度与政府之间既有联合合作的一面,又有对抗抵制的一面。在与社会的关系中,认证制度成为高等教育向社会传递信息之窗,同时也是社会公众参与高等教育管理之门。社会则需要认证制度提供关于院校和专业的信息,也通过认证制度参与高等教育的质量管理。

As part of quality assurance system, accreditation has several other functions in higher education and its complex relations with governments and society in the United States. Accreditation system provides basic standards for university or college access to the free market competition and also acts as a unifying force within higher education circle by means of quality evaluation and assurance. In the relations with the governments, accreditation system serves as a medium of government control, especially the federal control and at the same time it can protect institutions from encroachments of governments of all levels. In the relations between higher education and society, accreditation system offers accurate information about universities and specialties or programs as well as an opportunity for the public to get involved in quality management of higher education.