Our MissionThe mission of the American Association of Schools, is to ensure excellence in education by holding member schools accountable to competence standards and a process of continual improvement. To investigate and issue our findings as recommendations on institutions who meet our standards.What We DoWe accredit non-distance and distance education, elementary, high, K-12, middle, postsecondary degree granting, and non-degree granting special purpose schools. AAOS accredits schools in; Our RegionAccredits schools in the United States.Our StandardsThese standards serve as benchmarks in helping our member's, their staff and faculty evaluate important aspects of their institution’s programs.
- Institutional Mission and Objectives
A. Description of Mission and Objectives
The institution has a clearly defined and simply stated mission that describes the general purpose and specific objectives of the institution.
B. Review and Display of Mission
The mission statement is regularly evaluated by the faculty, administration, and institutional advisory committees and/or appropriate governing boards. The current mission statement is also publicly available and is used consistently in institutional planning.
C. Implementation of Mission and Objectives
The institution is effectively meeting its mission and objectives.
- Educational Objectives and Materials
A. Description of Objectives
Educational objectives are clearly defined and simply stated. They indicate what the educational program can do for reasonably diligent students. The character, nature, quality, value, and source of the instruction and educational service are set forth in language understood by the types of students enrolled. If a course or program prepares for an occupation or field of occupations, the objectives clearly state the types of occupations for which preparation is given.
B. Appropriate Objectives
The objectives of the institution must be reasonably attainable and be of such a nature that they can be achieved (especially if through distance study). For non-credit courses, the learning objectives must, where appropriate to the nature and type of the course, be comparable to similar non-credit courses offered in traditional institutions.
Appropriate objectives include the development of skills, the provision of job-related training, the imparting of information, the training in the application of knowledge, and the development of desirable habits and attitudes. Evaluation of the educational program is based on the announced course objectives and the success with which the objectives are fulfilled.
C. Comprehensive Instructional Materials
Instructional materials are sufficiently comprehensive to achieve the announced objectives.
D. Up-to-date Instructional Materials
Instructional materials are accurate and reflect current knowledge and practice. Effective procedures are used to constantly improve materials and keep them current and up-to-date.
E. Examinations
Examinations and other evaluative techniques adequately measure mastery of the stated learning objectives.
F. Authorship
Instructional materials are prepared by qualified persons competent in their fields. Materials, other than standard textbooks produced by recognized publishers, are prepared by (correspondence educators if distance education) educators skilled in preparing materials for distance study use.
G. Reading Level
The reading difficulty of the instructional materials is keyed to the reading competence of enrollees in the course.
H. Study Instructions
Suitable instructions on how to study the course clearly indicate to the students what to do and how to learn effectively.
I. Organization of Instructional Materials
The organization and presentation of the instructional materials are in accord with sound, psychological principles of learning.
J. Teaching Devices
Instructional programs make effective use of appropriate teaching devices and supplemental instructional aids.
K. Illustrations
Illustrations are used intelligently and they have educational and/or inspirational value.
L. Presentation, Printing and Binding
Instructional materials are appropriately presented, legibly reproduced, well-manufactured, suitably bound, and attractive in layout and format.
- Educational Services
A. Handling Student Inquiries
Relevant inquiries from students are welcome and are answered promptly and satisfactorily with due regard for any legal and professional restrictions.
B. Individual Differences
Adequate provisions are made to meet the individual differences of students and to provide counseling and guidance as required to assist students to attain their educational goals.
C. Handling Failures
Students who fail to do satisfactory work are encouraged to continue until they either show inability to do satisfactory work or until they demonstrate satisfactory progress.
D. Encouragement of Students
A constructive program is followed to encourage students to start, continue, and finish the courses in which they have enrolled.
E. Student Evaluation of Courses
Reactions of students are sought as one basis for evaluating and improving instructional materials and services.
F. Appropriate Technology
The institution uses appropriate technology in the process of enhancing educational services.
G. Resident Training (For Distance Education Schools)
Resident training should supplement the distance study course whenever it is necessary to attain the stated educational objectives.
- Student Services
A. Examination Services
Adequate evaluation, correction services, and necessary counseling by an instructor are provided for examinations. Minimum student services include prompt return of accurately graded examinations.
B. Student Records and Materials
Ample study materials should be provided at all times to students. Essential student records should be adequately maintained.
C. Counseling and Employment Assistance
Competent counseling should be available to students on request. If employment assistance and other services for alumni are offered, they should be as described.
- Student Success and Satisfaction
A. Achievement of Learning Objectives and Benefits
The institution has in place an ongoing procedure that can demonstrate that a satisfactory percentage of graduates: (1) have attained the learning objectives established for the course; and (2) have been successful in achieving the benefits established for the course.
B. Student Success and Learning Outcomes
The institution can show that a high proportion of students are satisfied with the training and educational services provided.
C. Progress Through the Course(s)
The institution can demonstrate that a satisfactory percentage of enrolled students start the course, continue their studies, and finish. A sample check of the students in the institution must indicate a reasonable achievement in, and completion of, their course and satisfaction with the services which the institution is rendering.
- Qualifications of Principals, Faculty, and Staff
A. Owners, Principals, and Executive Staff
The institution’s owners, principals, officers, and managers possess sound reputations and can show a record of integrity and ethical conduct in their business relations. The Chief Executive Officer and top school administrators possess appropriate backgrounds, qualifications, and experience for their positions and have demonstrated the ability to direct school operations successfully.
B. Educational Director
A qualified person serves as the educational director. The educational director has overall administrative responsibilities for the educational program and a policy-making voice in advertising, sales, and collections.
C. Department Heads
In large institutions, department heads or other qualified persons are delegated educational, editorial, and research responsibilities within subject fields.
D. Faculty/Instructors
The institution has a sufficient number of qualified instructors to give individualized instructional service to each student.
- Admission Practices and Enrollment Agreements
A. Admission Practices
The admissions practices of the institution fully conform to Generally Accepted Business Standards.
B. Enrollment Agreements (Contracts)
The written agreement and/or other written documents left with the student specify clearly the nature and scope of the course, the services and obligations to which the institution is committed, and the privileges and obligations, financial and otherwise, of the student. Any changes in tuition, procedures, or rates must be made applicable to all future enrollees. The institution must use a written enrollment agreement.
- Advertising and Promotional Literature/Recruitment Personnel
A. Advertising and Promotion
All advertising, promotional or recruitment activities of the institution fully conform to Generally Accepted Professional and Business Standards.
B. Control of Student Recruitment Personnel
The institution’s policies and practices in the hiring, training, monitoring, and managing of all sales or recruiting personnel fully conform to the Labor Law Principals and Generally Accepted Professional and Business Standards.
- Financial Responsibility
A. Financial Practices
The institution is financially responsible and meets its financial obligations to provide service to its students.
B. Operation
The institution operates in a sound and ethical way in all respects.
- Tuition Policies, Collection Procedures, and Refunds (Institution has fair and equitable tuition and refund policies.)
A. Tuition Policies
Tuition policies are in keeping with the industry standards and Generally Accepted Business Standards.
B. Tuition Collection Procedures
Tuition collection practices and procedures are fair. They encourage the progress of students and seek to retain their good will. The right to protect its financial interests is inherent with any institution. Its tuition collection practices are in keeping with sound and ethical business standards.
C. Tuition Refund Policies
The institution recognizes that there are legitimate reasons why enrolled students may not be able to complete their training with benefit to themselves. Accordingly, the school has a policy for equitable tuition adjustment in such cases. Records are maintained on tuition refunds and enrollment cancellations to provide a reference source for management analysis.
- Plant, Equipment, and Record Protection
A. Plant and Equipment
The building, workspace, and equipment comply with local fire, building, health, and safety regulations and are adequately equipped to handle the educational program of the institution.
B. Record Protection
Educational records of all students are maintained in a safe, fireproof, and reasonably accessible place as long as they are likely to be needed. Other records are maintained in accordance with current educational, administrative, business, and legal practice.
- Research and Self-Improvement
A. Research and Self-Improvement Studies
The institution asserts an effort to improve operating efficiency and service. Sound research procedures and techniques are used to measure how effectively the announced course objectives are being met.
B. Professional Growth
Interest in improving the course of instruction and in the upgrading of personnel and faculty through membership in professional associations, review and application of research, and practical experience in the general field of education and the specific field of distance education.
C. Self-Study Program
The institution has an established program or plan reflecting a desire to improve its services to students and to provide for the growth of the institution and its staff and faculty.
- Site Inspections
- Each recommended, member school is scrutinized on a annual basis.
NOTICE:
The American Association of Schools, and its officers and directors, are not legally responsible for the degree programs, course work, or any other aspect of school/university function offered by its recommended schools, nor is any accrediting organization. AAOS and its officers and directors are further legally absolved of all responsibility for the success of students enrolled in its recommended schools. Each school is a legal entity in its own right. All complaints or concerns relative to the individual school must be directed to the school themselves and we would appreciate being notified. It is the responsibility of the prospective student to carefully investigate any school before embarking upon a degree program or course work. K through 12 schools must meet minimum educational standards set by the Board of Education of the state where they are located. Transfer of Credits Between Institutions: Each institution makes its own decision about transfer of credits, and it may take into account a variety of factors, such as how well the credits students earned at another institution fit the requirements for the program they wish to pursue at their institution, the grades students received in the courses they took, and other factors that vary from one institution to another, there is no standard. The U.S. Department of Education only recognizes accrediting associations who's membership wishes to receive federal (taxpayer) funding under Title IV and HEA Federal Programs. It does NOT evaluate accrediting associations who have not requested said financial approval. There is NO requirement to be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, except to receive federal funding. The U.S. Department of Education is NOT a Ministry of Education. Education is regulated by each state NOT the federal government.
 The
American Association of Schools complies with all Department of Homeland
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