The North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement is the oldest and largest of the six regional accrediting associations that monitor US schools internationally.  As a nationally recognized organization,  NCA CASI’s purposes are to accredit schools and  to support schools in their efforts for school improvement. It is a not-for-profit, voluntary membership organization of approximately 9,100 schools in a 19-state region plus the Department of Defense Dependent Schools and schools in the Navajo Nation.  NCA CASI is recognized by the United States Department of Education as a regional accrediting association.

      In Indiana, the NCA CASI represents 962 elementary, middle and secondary, special purpose, unit, college prep and adult/vocational schools.
     NCA CASI was originally formed in 1895 as a society to discuss and resolve issues relating to education in the late 1800s. By 1901, the Association had appointed a Commission on Accredited Schools to develop standards for schools. In 1904, the Association approved its first list of 156 accredited schools. Indiana's Emmerich Manual was the first Indiana school to be accredited by this Association, followed shortly by Alexandria-Monroe High School.
     In 1965, the Commission began a re-evaluation program requiring self-study and peer review visits on a regular schedule. The requirement was that each member participate in a self-study and team visit at least once during each seven-year cycle (now a six-year cycle in Indiana). NCA CASI provides a school improvement model focusing on achieving growth in student learning. It is a process for change and accountability. The NCA CASI process requires planning, implementing, and assessing, using a data-driven results-oriented model.
     The Indiana North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement office is sponsored by Indiana State University We are housed in the College of Education on the 12th floor.  We are proud of our affiliation with ISU, the support we receive from the faculty and staff, and the assistance we get from individual staff members as we strive to help schools promote the school improvement processes.
     If you are interested in learning more about the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement, the services it offers, and the requirements for membership, contact us at 1-800-468-7405.