Evaluation and accreditation of higher education in Mexico and the United States of America

Abstract

This paper begins with a trip down memory lane from the inception on the evaluation of higher education in our country, the process of accreditation, size of the system, programs evaluated by CIEES, and COPAES, and the total coverage rate in Mexico. Follow by an explanation about the initiation of evaluation and accreditation of higher education in the United States of America. Who validate the examiners? The main similarities and differences of these systems are analyzed. Lastly, there is a discussion of personal conclu- sions arising from the analysis. The purpose of this, is to understand the systems of evaluation and accreditation in Mexico´s higher education and the United States, the interest arises because of the proximity of these countries and their close relationship in regards to educational in- terdependence, especially in Mexican border populations that seek to immerse themselves within the higher education schemes of the neighbor country. This study shows the similarities and differences between the evaluation and accredi- tation systems in both countries in the following aspects: Size of the higher education system, assessment/accreditation bodies, evaluation/ accreditation processes, results in the quality of education. This is a descriptive, comparative analysis exercise on the higher education systems of the two countries using their own variables.