Following an extensive two-year process, the South Central Career Center is pleased to announce another six-year accreditation from the Council on Occupational Education, the longest period allowable by the accreditor.
In December 2014, officials with South Central Career Center announced they had received initial accreditation for a six-year period from the national accreditor.
This time the process started in January 2019. It included a school-wide effort to create a self-study centered on almost 800 criteria and a final accreditation visit this summer. The visiting team reviewed the school’s finances, human resources, physical resources, learning resources, strategic planning, institutional mission, organizational structure, student services, job placement, and a detailed review of each educational program
SCCC was originally scheduled to host a visit in April; however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the school was selected as one of six pilot schools from across the nation to host a virtual team visit. The visit was conducted in July.
At the recent Commission of the Council on Occupational Education meeting, commissioners voted to approve reaffirmation of accreditation of South Central Career Center for the maximum, six-year accreditation timeframe.
“We could not be happier with this outcome,” said Director Jim Laughary.
“This validation of the quality of our school was thanks to our entire staff, industry partners that serve on advisory committees, and the community that values what we do here.”
South Central Career Center is hosted by the West Plains School District and has served south-central Missouri since 1970 with adult and secondary career and technical education programs and numerous high school courses. With a mission to develop a highly-qualified workforce, SCCC works with thirteen area high schools, participates in federal financial aid programs, and has close partnerships with regional industry.
The Council on Occupational Education, originally founded in 1971 as a regional accrediting agency of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, is the successor to the Commission on Occupational Education Institutions. In 1995, the Council became a national accrediting agency. In 2021, the Council will celebrate its 50th year of assuring quality and integrity in career and technical education. The Council’s accreditation process is conducted on behalf of more than 360,000 students across the nation who pursue careers in various technical fields.
For information on programs available at South Central Career Center, visit www.scccwp.edu or call (417) 256-6152.
