Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools
Formation1979
Location
President
Dr. T Paul Boatner[1]
Key people
Dr. Ron Cannon, Vice President
Dr. Tanmay Pramanik, Vice President
Barry Griffith, Vice President
Dr. James Flanagan, Acting Commission Chairman
Dr. William Bowden, Commission Secretary
Dr. Gary Weier, Commission Treasurer
Staff
14
Websitewww.tracs.org

The Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) is a U.S. national educational accreditation agency for Christian colleges, universities, and seminaries.[2] TRACS, which is based in Forest, Virginia, is recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.[3]

History

The organization was founded in 1971 to "promote the welfare, interests, and development of postsecondary institutions, whose mission is characterized by a distinctly Christian purpose."[2] According to the Institute for Creation Research (ICR), TRACS is a "product of the ICR" and was created "Because of the prejudice against creation-science, outspoken creationist schools" that had "little or no chance of getting recognition through accreditation."[4] Currently TRACS requires 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".[5]

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."[6] This action "worried" accrediting officials who concluded that TRACS was not a qualified accreditor and created controversy amongst education officials.[7][8]

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".[9] In 2007 John D. Morris, Henry Morris' son, asked TRACS to terminate the ICR's accreditation.[10] The reason was, in part, that the ICR moved to Texas[11] and the state does not recognize TRACS.[12]

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.[13] 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."[14] Liberty gained TRACS accreditation in September 1984, but resigned its accreditation on November 6, 2008.[15][16]

In 1995, a federal review was conducted and National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity placed TRACS on 18 months probation.[17] Improvements were made, including eliminating the "associate schools" category and changing chairmen.[14]

It currently 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." The USDE reauthorized TRACS in 2005. Its most recent scheduled review by the USDE was in 2009.[18]

See also

References

  1. ^ "TRACS Staff". Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools. 2008. Retrieved 2011-01-17.
  2. ^ a b "TRACS: Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools About". Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools. 2008. Retrieved 2009-07-10.
  3. ^ "All Accreditors" (PDF). Council for Higher Education Accreditation. 2008. Retrieved 2011-01-19.
  4. ^ Sandra Blakeslee (2007). "The ICR Graduates". Institute for Creation Research. Retrieved 2007-11-26.
  5. ^ "Accreditation Standards" (PDF). Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools. 2009. Retrieved 2008-12-26. 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
  6. ^ Scott Jaschik (Sept. 4, 1991). "Rejecting Review Board's Advice, Alexander Grants Federal Recognition to Christian Accrediting Body" (A40). The Chronicle of Higher Education. Retrieved 2008-12-26. ((cite news)): Check date values in: |date= (help) [dead link]
  7. ^ "Accrediting body angers secretary of education". Washington Times. Nov 7, 1991. Retrieved 2008-12-26.
  8. ^ "BATTLE LINES DRAWN ON A COLLEGE DIVERSITY DEBATE". Philadelphia Inquirer. Oct 20, 1991. Retrieved 2008-12-26.
  9. ^ Sandefur, Timothy (March 29, 2004). "How the ICR got its accreditation". Panda's Thumb. Retrieved 2006-11-04.
  10. ^ "Accreditation Commission Action" (PDF). Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools. 2007. Retrieved 2008-12-04. [dead link]
  11. ^ "The ICR Quest for Official Texas Certification". Texas Citizens for Science. 2007. Retrieved 2008-12-04.
  12. ^ "Accreditation Information". Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. 2007. Retrieved 2008-12-04.
  13. ^ Levicoff, Steve (1993). Name It and Frame It? (3rd ed.). Institute on Religion and Law. p. 25. ASIN B0006F1PCQ. OCLC 27784264.
  14. ^ a b Template:Wayback, Timothy Sandefur, Nexus law journal, Chapman University School of Law, March 24, 2002
  15. ^ "Accreditation Details: Liberty University". United States Department of Education. 2009. Retrieved 2009-02-28.
  16. ^ "Commission Action November 2008" (PDF). Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools. November 2008. Retrieved 2009-02-28.
  17. ^ Scott Jaschik (1995-06-16). "Christian Accrediting Group Faulted in Federal Review". The Chronicle of Higher Education. Retrieved 2008-12-26. [dead link]
  18. ^ "Regional and National Institutional Accrediting Agencies". US Department of Education. 2007. Retrieved 2010-02-18.

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