Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools

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TRACS
TRACS

The Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) is a U.S. national educational accreditation agency for Christian colleges, universities, and seminaries. TRACS, which is based in Forest, Virginia, is recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.[1].

Contents

[edit] History

TRACS is "a voluntary, non-profit, self-governing organization to provide accreditation to Christian postsecondary institutions offering associate, baccalaureate, and graduate degrees."[1] The organization was founded in 1979 to "promote the welfare, interests, and development of postsecondary institutions, whose mission is characterized by a distinctly Christian purpose."[1] According to the Institute for Creation Research Graduate School (ICR and ICRGS), TRACS is a "product of the ICR Graduate School" and was created "Because of the prejudice against creation-science, outspoken creationist schools such as ICRGS used to stand little or no chance of getting recognition through accreditation."[2]

TRACS was first recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) in 1991 as a national accrediting body with authority for the "accreditation and preaccreditation ("Candidate" status) of postsecondary institutions in the United States that offer certificates, diplomas, and associate, baccalaureate, and graduate degrees, including institutions that offer distance education." The USDE reauthorized TRACS in 2004. Its next scheduled review by the USDE is in 2009.[3]

TRACS is also a "full member" of the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education.[2]

[edit] Criticism and controversy

TRACS's first application for federal recognition in 1987 was denied, but in 1991, U.S. Education Secretary Lamar Alexander "approved TRACS, despite his advisory panel's repeatedly recommending against recognition."[4][5]

In 1993, Steve Levicoff self-published a book-length critical discussion of TRACS, When the TRACS Stop Short: An Evaluation and Critique of the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools.[5] Levicoff criticized TRACS's expedited accreditation of Liberty University and its creation of a category for schools which it called associate schools. While this category "was not considered an official accreditation," Levicoff argued that TRACS lent its name to a number of "blatantly fraudulent institutions."[6]

Another source of criticism was the 1991 granting of accreditation to the Institute for Creation Research. One of TRACS' board members was Henry M. Morris, founder of ICR. Timothy Sandefur, a fellow at the Claremont Institute, called Morris's position on the board "highly questionable".[7] Levicoff states, "Morris' influence is so strong that TRACS attaches a two page defense of the young earth position (written by Morris) to their doctrinal statement."[8] In 2007 Morris' son asked TRACS to terminate ICR' accredited status.[9] The reason was, in part, that the ICR moved to Texas[10] and the state does not recognize TRACS.[11]

Due to Levicoff's book TRACS instituted positive changes.[5] In 1995, a federal review was conducted and resulted in probation. Improvements were made, including eliminating the "associate schools" category and changing chairmen.[6] In 2004, the USDE reauthorized TRACS without conditions.[3]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b "TRACS: Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools", Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-05-04. 
  2. ^ Sandra Blakeslee. "The ICR Graduates", Institute for Creation Research, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-11-26. 
  3. ^ a b US Department of Education, National Institutional and Specialized Accrediting Bodies
  4. ^ Scott Jaschik, Rejecting Review Board’s Advice, Alexander Grants Federal Recognition to Christian Accrediting Body, Chron. of Higher Educ., Sept. 4, 1991 at A40.
  5. ^ a b c Steve Levicoff. Name It and Frame It?. (3rd edition) Institute on Religion and Law. 1993 (page 25) ASIN B0006F1PCQ
  6. ^ a b Sandefur, Timothy. "Dinosaur TRACS: The Approaching Conflict between Establishment Clause Jurisprudence And College Accreditation Procedures", Nexus (law journal) from Chapman University School of Law, March 24, 2002. Retrieved on 2006-11-04. 
  7. ^ Sandefur, Timothy. "How the ICR got its accreditation", Panda's Thumb, March 29, 2004. Retrieved on 2006-11-04. 
  8. ^ Steve Levicoff. Name It and Frame It?. (3rd edition) Institute on Religion and Law. 1993 (page 24) ASIN B0006F1PCQ
  9. ^ http://www.tracs.org/DOE_Nov07.pdf
  10. ^ The ICR Quest for Official Texas Certification
  11. ^ http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/reports/docfetch.cfm?DocID=1254&Format=PDF

[edit] External links