# Program Standards, Guidance, and Evidence Required for Review

The program accreditation standards reflect a significant step forward in creating authentic and high-quality higher education programs for students with ID. This section includes the complete standards, guidance, evidence requirements, and additional details about required evidence. 

**Evidence Requirements and Guidance**

The purpose of providing evidence in the accreditation process is to ensure reviewers have a full understanding of how the program demonstrates attainment of each standard. Items selected as accreditation evidence provide a concrete, objective and/or measurable demonstration of program policies, procedures, and related materials.

**Selecting Evidence**

Evidence provides an opportunity for programs to demonstrate quality programming for students to help them complete the program.

There are two key aspects of selecting evidence:

1. Identifying the evidence critical to the review process
2. Determining how much evidence is sufficient to demonstrate that the standard is met

Examples of evidence include, but are not limited to:

* Assessment plans for program goals
* Brochures and materials about the program
* Publications about the program
* Website links to the university or program specifics
* Email communications (student names redacted)
* Aggregate student data (e.g., applicants, student yield, time to completion, retention)
* Program data (e.g., courses, internships)
* Program outcome data (e.g., graduation rates, job placement rates)
* Policies and procedures
* Presentation slides (e.g., student orientation, family orientation, staff training)
* Program handbooks (e.g., student, parent, staff handbooks)
* List of college courses that students have enrolled in, including a link to the course catalog with course descriptions

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