Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools

Last updated
Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools
Formation1979
Location
President
Timothy W. Eaton
Staff12
Website www.tracs.org
[1] [2]

The Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) is a U.S. based institutional accreditation organization that focuses on Christian colleges, universities, and seminaries seeking collegiate accreditation in the United States. [3] [4] TRACS, which is based in Forest, Virginia, is recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. [5]

Contents

TRACS is a significant accreditor of historically black colleges and universities, especially those that have lost their regional accreditation for failing to meet fiscal sustainability obligations. [6] [7] Despite the transnational in its name, almost all of the schools the organization reviews are located in the United States. TRACS is also notable for requiring creationism and creationist science as part of its accredited curriculums. [8]

History

The organization was founded in 1979. According to the Institute for Creation Research (ICR), TRACS is a "product of the ICR". [9] TRACS required, through at least 2018, all accredited schools to have a statement of faith that affirms "the inerrancy and historicity of the Bible" and "the divine work of non-evolutionary creation including persons in God's image". [10]

TRACS's first application for federal recognition in 1987 was denied, but in 1991 under President George H. W. Bush, U.S. Education Secretary Lamar Alexander "approved TRACS, despite his advisory panel's repeatedly recommending against recognition." [11] Approval came following TRACS' third rejection by the board in which Secretary Alexander "arranged for an appeal hearing," and critics of the approval said the move was about politics. [11] TRACS' approval "worried" accrediting officials who concluded that TRACS was not a qualified accreditor and the move was criticized by education officials. [12] [13] [14]

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. Attorney Timothy Sandefur called Morris's position on the board "highly questionable". [15] In 2007 John D. Morris, Henry Morris' son, asked TRACS to terminate the ICR's accreditation. [16] The reason was, in part, that the ICR moved to Texas [17] and the state did not recognize TRACS at that time. [18]

In 1993, Steve Levicoff 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. [19] [20] 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." [21] Liberty gained TRACS accreditation in September 1984, but resigned its accreditation on November 6, 2008. [22] [23]

In 1995, a federal review was conducted and National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity placed TRACS on 18 months probation. [20] Critics argued that TRACS should have never had approval and the reason for the initial rejections "wasn't over doctrine, but whether they were in the process of accrediting schools which truly gave degrees in line with other similar degrees." [20] One reason for the probation was TRACS starting the accrediting process for schools that could not meet basic requirements, such as Nashville Bible College, which was granted "accreditation candidate status" when it had twelve full-time students, seven part-time students, and two part-time faculty members. [20] Improvements were made, including eliminating the "associate schools" category and changing chairmen. [21]

TRACS has 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." Its most recent scheduled review for recognition was in 2020. [24] TRACS was granted reauthorization after their latest appearance before NACIQI in October 2021. TRACS received this recognition from the same committee that revoked the largest accreditor’s recognition, and placed stipulations on the ABAs accreditation procedures.

Standards for Accreditation

TRACS has authority for the accreditation and preaccreditation ("Candidate" status) of postsecondary institutions in the United States that offer certificates, diplomas, associate, baccalaureate, and graduate degrees, including institutions that offer distance education. [25]

TRACS has a multi-step accreditation process to assess institutional quality. This process commences with an initial inquiry and an application orientation to review eligibility requirements. [26] Subsequently, the approved applicant institution conducts a self-study to evaluate its structure and effectiveness and identify areas for improvement. A TRACS evaluation team then conducts a site visit. [26] If the assessment is positive, institutional representatives present the institution to the TRACS Accreditation Commission, which may then confer candidate (pre-accreditation) status. [26] Throughout this process, institutions must demonstrate operational integrity and financial stability, including regular financial reviews by their board of trustees. [26]

As of 2024, TRACS stated that all accredited schools are not required to "duplicate the TRACS Biblical Foundations Statement, but the institution's Faith Statement should identify it as part of the evangelical protestant tradition in higher education". [27] TRACS' Statement of Faith outlines the organization's adherence to certain Christian principles, such as the absolute authority of the Bible, as well as the redemptive sacrifice of Jesus. [28] The Statement of Faith also describes a literal interpretation of the Biblical creation story. [28]

See also

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References

  1. ↑ "TRACS index". Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools. Retrieved 2021-05-27.
  2. ↑ "Get To Know TRACS". Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools. Retrieved 2025-01-14.
  3. ↑ "TRACS Distinctives". Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools. Retrieved 2021-05-28.
  4. ↑ Swamidass, S. Joshua (4 March 2021). "A Compromise on Creationism". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2021-05-28.
  5. ↑ "All Accreditors". Council for Higher Education Accreditation . Retrieved 2021-05-27.
  6. ↑ James, Kevin; Rzucidlo, Kathleen; Palmer, Robert (2022-05-02). "Getting Back on Track with TRACS: An Accreditation Agency Blazing a Trail for Small HBCUs". Diverse: Issues In Higher Education. Retrieved 2023-01-25.
  7. ↑ Watson, Jamal (2019-03-27). "Small, Private HBCUs Find Lifeline with TRACS Amid Accreditation Struggles". Diverse: Issues In Higher Education. Retrieved 2023-01-25.
  8. ↑ Swamidass, S. Joshua (2021-03-04). "A Compromise on Creationism". Wall Street Journal. ISSN   0099-9660 . Retrieved 2023-01-25.
  9. ↑ "The ICR Graduates". www.icr.org. Retrieved 2025-01-17.
  10. ↑ "Accreditation Standards" (PDF). Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-05-06. Retrieved 2021-05-27. page 80 also see: "Biblical Creation. Special creation of the existing space-time universe and all its basic systems and kinds of organisms in the six literal days of the creation week." on page 81
  11. 1 2 Scott Jaschik (Sep 4, 1991). "Alexander Grants Federal Recognition to Christian Accrediting Body" (A40). The Chronicle of Higher Education . Retrieved 2012-07-14.
  12. ↑ "Accrediting body angers secretary of education". Washington Times . Nov 7, 1991. Retrieved 2008-12-26.
  13. ↑ "Battle Lines Drawn on a College Diversity Debate". Philadelphia Inquirer. Oct 20, 1991.
  14. ↑ Scott Jaschik (September 25, 1991). "House Panel Looks Into Recognition of Christian Accrediting Body" (A40). The Chronicle of Higher Education . Retrieved 2012-07-14.
  15. ↑ Sandefur, Timothy (March 29, 2004). "How the ICR got its accreditation". Panda's Thumb . Retrieved 2021-05-27.
  16. ↑ "Accreditation Commission Action" (PDF). Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools. 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-09-10. Retrieved 2008-12-04.
  17. ↑ "The ICR Quest for Official Texas Certification". Texas Citizens for Science. 2007. Archived from the original on 2008-01-20. Retrieved 2008-12-04.
  18. ↑ "Accreditation Information" (PDF). Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Archived from the original on 2011-09-26. Retrieved 2021-05-27.
  19. ↑ Levicoff, Steve (1993). Name It and Frame It? (3rd ed.). Institute on Religion and Law. p. 25. ASIN   B0006F1PCQ. OCLC   27784264.
  20. 1 2 3 4 Scott Jaschik (1995-06-16). "Christian Accrediting Group Faulted in Federal Review". The Chronicle of Higher Education . Retrieved 2008-12-26.
  21. 1 2 "Dinosaur TRACS: The Approaching Conflict between Establishment Clause Jurisprudence And College Accreditation Procedures". Archived from the original on December 5, 2003. Retrieved 2006-11-04., Timothy Sandefur, Nexus law journal, Chapman University School of Law, March 24, 2002
  22. ↑ "Accreditation Details: Liberty University". United States Department of Education . Retrieved 2021-05-27.
  23. ↑ "Commission Action November 2008" (PDF). Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools. November 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-06-21. Retrieved 2021-05-27.
  24. ↑ "National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity" (PDF). US Department of Education. 2016. Retrieved 2012-12-18.
  25. ↑ "U.S. Department of Education Staff Report to the Senior Department Official on Recognition Compliance Issues, US Department of Education". The Federal Register, U.S. Department of Education. July 27, 2021. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  26. 1 2 3 4 Angela Dennis (August 30, 2024). "Knoxville College submits application for reaccreditation in step toward revitalization". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  27. ↑ "TRACS Distinctives". Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools. Archived from the original on January 7, 2025.
  28. 1 2 Swamidass, S. Joshua (March 4, 2021). "A Compromise on Creationism". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
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