Correctional Education

Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accreditation

The Western Association of Schools and Colleges, more commonly known as WASC, is one of six regional associations in the United States that accredit public and private schools, colleges, and universities.  WASC accreditation certifies the integrity of the education provided by the 33 schools operated by CDCR and validates the reliability of the GED certificates and vocational program completions awarded to inmate students.

By being WASC accredited, the CDCR schools undergo the same regular monitoring and assessment as traditional California public school systems.  The WASC committee reviews curriculum, instructional strategy, and student assessment methods at each CDCR school on a six year cycle.

The Western region covers institutions in California and Hawaii, plus the territories of Guam, American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of Palau, Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, the Pacific Basin, and East Asia, and areas of the Pacific and East Asia where American/International schools or colleges may apply to it for service.