Planning Accreditation Board seeks public comments on proposed new accreditation standards

The PAB is proposing a substantial revision of the standards and criteria for accreditation of university planning programs.  A public comment period on the proposal has just opened and lasts through 15 December.  Here's what PAB says about the changes:

"PAB is pleased to introduce a comprehensive revision of its accreditation standards and criteria. The goals of the change process include:

• Developing standards, processes, and guidelines that are coherent, consistent, and sustainable through PAB leadership and membership changes;
• Creating a clear and thoughtful framework that focuses on principles, outcomes, and accountability; and
• Reducing the number standards to avoid redundancy and inconsistency, streamline the requirements, and promote simplicity.

Material improvements include:

• A reduction in the number of standards from 11 to 7, and in criteria from from 81 to to 32; elimination of redundancy; emphasis on outcomes over inputs;
• Leadership and trends in planning added to curriculum;
• Programmatic outcomes replace student [learning] outcomes; and
  Universal outcomes identified and required on websites."

The proposed standards are shown and comments may be submitted at:  http://www.planningaccreditationboard.org/index.php?id=134.  Alternatively, you can download a PDF version of the proposed standards and submit comments via email to admin@planningaccreditationboard.org, or regular mail to PAB at 53 W. Jackson Blvd – Suite 1315; Chicago, IL 60604.   Comments submitted in either manner will also be made available on the PAB website, accompanied by the names of those who submit.