American Academy for Liberal Education

AALE Receives Good News from the USDOED!

2008 Academy Update

Academy now accepting new applications

At the December 2007 meeting of the National Advisory Committee for Institutional Quality and Integrity (the body that advises the US Secretary of Education about the recognition of accreditors) the recommendation was made and unanimously approved that the Academy be allowed to accept new applications for membership (for information on the former vote to limit AALE, please follow this link). On the strength of this reversal, AALE will begin accepting new applications in January of 2008.

The Academy announces tentative plans to hold a Domestic as well as an International Membership meeting in the Spring of 2009

The Domestic meeting will take place in either Washington, DC or another U.S. location. The International meeting will take place outside the U.S., in a locale such as Southern Spain.

Phi Beta Kappa Society Issues Resolution in Support of Liberal Arts

In the winter of 2007, the Council of Phi Beta Kappa has issued a rare resolution directly related to a public policy debate. In reaction to the recent publication of the Secretary's A test of Leadership and her subsequent public comments, the society has stressed the need for the national debate on reform in Higher Education to recognize the need for and the mission of liberal arts colleges. The Academy endorses this statement and stresses the need for all who strive for excellence in American higher education to recognize that liberal arts colleges are the foundation of an educational system that is the envy of the world. The lenses by which we evaluate the quality of such institutions must be different than the ones used for education that simply prepares students for their professional lives. Most of the leading thinkers, creators, and political actors on the American landscape, come from liberal arts colleges. We must maintain and encourage such an education that breeds a wonderful diversity of sought after ends.

2007 Academy Update

a letter from President and CEO Dr. Jeffrey Wallin

AALE Starts Higher Ed Pilot Project

Do you represent an institution or program interested in AALE accreditation at the two-year or graduate level? Do you want to pursue accreditation for your online liberal arts program? AALE is working to expand its scope to work with you! Please look here if you are interested in participating in or commenting on our pilot project.

Recent AALE Accreditation Actions

The AALE Board of Trustees recently met to review several applications for accreditation. For a list of AALE Board actions and new member institutions, please follow these links: for colleges and universities, click here, for charter schools, click here.