-= “y Sp Republic of the Philippines i Office of the President ‘ COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION rs Higher Education Development Center (HEDC), C.P. Garcia Avenue = 'UP Campus, Diiman, Quezon City CHED MEMORANDUM ORDER (CMO) No,_08 Series of 2009 SUBJECT: REVISED POLICIES AND GUIDELINES FOR THE EXPANDED TERTIARY EDUCATION EQUIVALENCY AND ACCREDITATION PROGRAM (ETEEAP) PURSUANT TO EXECUTIVE ORDER (EO) 330 Jn accordance with the pertinent provisions of Republic Act No. 7722, otherwise known as the “Higher Education Act of 1994”, and with Executive Order No. 330 entitled “Adopting the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP) as an integral Part of the Educational System and Designating the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) as the Authority Responsible for its Implementation,” and by virtue of Commission en banc (CEB) Resolution No. 081-2009, the Commission hereby issues these policies and guidelines revising ‘CHED Memorandurn Order (CMO) No.21, series of 1997, entitled “Policies and Guidelines on the implementation of the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP) Pursuant to Executive Order 330," for the guidance and strict compliance of all concemed: Article 1 ‘STATEMENT OF POLICIES 1. Itis the dectared policy of the State to recognize, expand and strengthen through the CHED, the system of academic equivalency and accreditation of learning acquired by individuals from relevant work experiences and high-level, non-formal and informal training, and to grant individuals, qualified through the aforementioned systems, equivalency credits and/or ‘appropriate academic degree with all the rights, privileges and appurtenances due those with formal higher education degrees. 2. For this purpose, the CHED shall deputize higher education institutions (HEIs) which would implement the ETEEAP in accordance with their policies, processes and procedures, as accepted by the CHED, for the accreditation and equivalency of leaming from the world of work, non-formal and informal systems, and the awarding of appropriate academic degrees to qualified individuals. 3. The CHED shall ensure and safeguard the integrity, quality and standards of this Program implemented by the deputized HEIs. Article OBJECTIVES The ETEEAP aims to achieve the following objectives: Ge To develop fully the system of equivalency and accreditation in higher education as a bridging mechanism for the flexible entry and exchange among the formal, non-formal and informal systems. ySpecific: i i ‘a. To establish @ mechanism for assessment and accreditation of prior formal, non-formal and informal learning of individuals toward the granting of certificates and awards in higher education; and b. To establish guidelines for the award of higher education degrees to deserving individuals, | | [article tt DEFINITION OF TERMS For purposes of this Memorandum Order, the terms herein shali be construed to mean as follows: 7 Accreditation is the process of identifying, assessing, validating, and recognizing learning obtained! by the individual through formal, non-formal and informal training or ‘experiences. ‘ i Assessment is the process of collecting evidence and making judgments as to whether the individual has achieved competency desired at a level specified in a) competency standard, curriculum or learning outcome for a particular subject or course for which accreditation and equivalency of learning is sought. 1 ‘Assessmeht criteria are descriptions of what the individual is expected to do in order to demonstrate that learning has been achieved. These are set at a threshold level of achievement and ‘are so defined to establish clear standards of achievement in a specific learning outcome. Autonomous or deregulated higher education institution refers to a higher education institution (HE!) that has attained consistent exemplary academic excellence in the provision of education, research and extension services through existing quality assurance mechanisms as evaluated by CHED. Center of Excellence / Center of Development is an HEI that has attained a certain level of quaity in a particular program as measured by CHED. Credit unit is the quantified means of expressing equivalence of learning and awarded to an individual in tecognition of demonstrated leaming after assessment at a specified level of competency. | i i Deputized Ihigher education institution is an HEI authorized by the Commission on Higher Education to implement the ETEEAP. Equivalency is the process of determining and assigning specific quantified amount of corresponding undergraduate - level equivalent credit that can be given to the demonstrated learning obtained by individuals after assessment. Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP) is ‘a comprehensive, program of identifying, assessing, validating, and assigning equivalent college-level learning for prior learning from formal, non-formal and informal training and relevant work experiences toward the final granting of appropriate academic degree. ‘ Vv4 Formal leatning refers to the hierarchically structured and chronologically graded leaming organized and provided by the formal school system and for which certification is required in order for the learner to progress through the grades or move to higher levels. (BP 232) Informal learning is it based learning, volunteer activities, self jental learning that results from life experiences, workplace- rected learning, family responsibilities, and others. Institutional Monitoring and Evaluation for Quality Assurance (IQUAME) is a mechanism to look at the effectiveness of an institution in its entirety, particularly, the development of institutional systems that ensure the quality and standards of programs, undertaken by CHED. Learning outcome is a statement of what an individual should know and be able to demonstrate after completion of a process of learning. The leaming outcomes specified for a learning experience must be assessable, i.e, it must have appropriate assessment criteria for judging whether oF not the specified learning outcomes have been achieved. The academic standard is met when all the learning outcomes and associated assessment criteria have been satisfied, Non-formal learning is intentional and gained by the individual through participation in organized workplace-based training, non-credit courses and workshops the completion of which does not lead to receiving formal credit. Philippine Educational Placement Test (PEPT) is the current testing program being implemented by the Department of Education (DepEd), which provides accreditation and equivalency for basic education level and determines the “placement” of the individual in the basic education continuum from pre-elementary to first year in the tertiary level. Prior learning refers to all formal, informal or non-formal learning of an individual prior to his/her current|status as candidate for a baccalaureate degree from a higher education institution. ! ‘Article IV STANDARDS OF PRACTICE FOR DEPUTIZED HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION The following standards of practice shall be broadly acceptable to all individuals, employers/industry, education/training providers, professional regulatory boards, and professional associations: 1. Accessibility and respect of clientele. The ETEEAP services must be accessible to Filipinos regardless of their places of residence, cultural or demographic characteristics, faith, ethnic origin and/or socio-economic circumstances. The program shall be sensitive to and respecttul of the different interests, cultural traits, and value orientations of its clientele. 2. Accreditation of demonstrated learning. Only the demonstrated leaming, gained through the activities performed or conducted by the individual, must be accredited. Validated eviderice such as certificates, product, test results, documents and others must be presented to support that the individual possesses such learning. | 3. Awarding ‘of credit. All demonstrated learning that have been accredited and granted equivalencies fmust have the competence requirements equivalent and consistent with those required by CHED in the formal degree program. “ te4 , » 10. 1. 12. ! | | | | Judgments’ based on criteria.| Judgments on the claims for accreditation and equivalency shall be based on explicit criteria as contained within the specifications of degree programs and statements of learning outcomes. Statements of professional competencies |4s required by the professional regulatory boards should be used as appropriate, |i | Transparency, fairness, objectivity and consistency of processes. The process of decision-making, range, forms, and|criteria to assess @ claim for accreditation and equivalency stiould be transparent, fai, objective, consistently applied. All information about them should m4 ‘accessible andor available in printed documents. Transterability of credits. The outcomes of accreditation and equivalency.and credit gained through the ETEEAP shall be trhneterebie between institutions. Credibitity|of Assessment. To ensure the credibility of assessment, only experts in the field/discipiine to be assessed shall constitute the Panel of Assessors to be composed of dean/s, facts professional associations and/or business and industry representatives. vallait) of services and support to applicants. The services and support to individuals seeking accreditation and equivalency, @.g., professional advice, assistance in preparing for the assessment, career counseling, etc., should be available to all applicants to enhance theit successful completion of the program. Well-detined staff roles and responsibilities. All staff, internal and external, involved in the acorecitation and equivalency processes should have well-defined roles and responsibties! and should have the necessary training in accreditation and equivalency of non-formal and informal leaming. sontorng | ind evaluation for efficiency, effectiveness and quality assurance. The policies, processes and procedures fdr accreditation and equivalency should be regularly monitored and teviewed in accord with clearly established institutional procedures. They should be open:to monitoring, evaluation and review by the CHED to ensure effective and cfficient Implemematon ‘and quality of program offering in the institution, Availability ‘of all information. Alljinformation on policies, procedures and practices of ‘equivalency ahd accreditation should! be provided and/or made available to applicants, academic statf, assessors or examiners, and stakeholders. i Documentation and record keeping of all assessment results. All proceedings of assessment of prior learning, evaluation of enrichment courses shall be documented and maintained in the ETEEAP Center/Registrar’s Office of the deputized HEL. ! |article V | IMPLEMENTING GUIDELINES ‘| |. Qualification of HEI Applying for Deputation and Validity Period of Authority 4.1 The HEL is eligible to apply for center if any of the following is met: a) the| Het is a Center of Excellence or Genter of Development in the progtam/discipline to be ofleres through the ETEEAP; b) the he enjoys a valid autoriomous or deregulated status from the CHED; | Y | | | [ |:12 13 a4 22 34 32 33 44 42 43 I : | i ! : | ©) its undergraduate procramidsciptine for offering through the ETEEAP has at least ‘a Level Il accredited status| from any of the accrediting agencies recognized by CHED; and/or ' | ¢) the HEI is in category At /Alr under the CHED-IQUAME. Notwithstanding the foregoing frovsions, CHED may deputize HEIs / specicized academid :program where ther is no ETEEAP deputized institution / academic program,| | The autnpiy of the deputized HE! shall be valid for a period of five (5) years. \ 1.4 After the lapse of three (3) years and the institution has not implemented the ETEEAP, the deputized HE! shall be notified in writing of the withdrawal of its deputation. i 2. Procedure fori Deputation of Higher Education Institution Programs i The HEl interested to be dopuiaba for a specific degree program shall apply through the CHED Regional Office with a letter of application and commitment together with all document! requirements on ijstitutional management capabllity for Program implementation. I ‘A CHED Evaluation Team shall donduct an evaluation visit to determine and validate the readifiess of the institution dnd its program for deputation. Deputation shall be granted solely upon approval by the Commission en banc. 3. Qualifications, ‘of the Individual Applying for Equivalency and Accreditation. The minimum qualification criteria for applicants to the accreditation and equivalency program, in addition to established Filipino cttzenstip, should inctude the flowing: Completibn of secondary schoo! program as evidenced by a high school diploma, or ‘the Philippine Education Placement Test (PEPT) result equivalent to first year college; Employment for an aggregate of| at least five (5) years in the industry related to the academic degree program or discipline where equivalency of learning is sought i At least fwenty five (25) years old as supported by an NSO authenticated birth certificate; and | 4, Procedures for Application and Assessment of Learning. The procedures for application and assessment of learning should consist! at a minimum, of the following: ' ‘The applicant secures the application form from the CHED or from any deputized HEI, ‘or downidads the form from the CHED website ched.gov.ph, submits the accomplished form, along with the supporting evidences that establish his/her qualifications for the program,| and pays appropriate |epplication fees to a deputized higher’ education institution of hisMer choice. ‘The accepting HEI reviews the’ application, interviews the applicant and informs him/her i writing of the results of the review and interview. : | Upon approval of the application the deputized HEI requires the applicant (candidate) to-prepare.and-submit-his/her portfolio.with. the .assistance.of the. institution’s. career counselot/adviser within an agreed period of time. This portfolio should include yY44 45 46 47 descriptions of prior experiences in the context of learning outcomes. The employer concerned should certify all experiences cited by the candidate as having been completed while in employment. ; Upon receipt of the portfolio, the HE! convenes a panel of assessors to conduct the evaluation. Tests or other forms and instruments of assessments, e.g., interviews, actual demonstration of claimed knowledge and skills, written examination, and others that are appropriate to the candidate's needs may be used as needed After completing the evaluation, the panel of assessors determines the amount of equivalent credit that will be awarded to the candidate by matching the demonstrated training of the candidate with the learning outcomes and standards of the subject or course for which the candidate seeks accreditation and equivalency. ‘A candidate assessed to be deficient in one or more competency units will be required to pursue further learning, with the assistance of a career coordinator or adviser. In this, case, a learning contract that defines the learning program is executed between the deputized HEI and the candidate. Further, assessment is conducted after the completicn of the learning program to determine the progress of the candidate toward meeting the learning outcomes and standards specified in the said program; and ‘After satisfying all the learning outcomes and appropriate assessment criteria for the course, and having complied with the requirements prescribed by CHED, and the institution for completion of the course, the candidate is awarded the appropriate equivalency credit and/or degree or title. Article VI |, ‘THE POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE CHED t . The CHED snk exercise the powers and functions provided in EO 330, including, but not limited to: 1 SEN Granting authority to HEIs to implement the ETEEAP, subject to established criteria, procedures and document requirements to insure the integrity and quality and ‘successful implementation of ETEEAP; Determining and approving the degree programs to be opened for ETEEAP; Monitoring and evaluation of deputized HEI; and Canceling and revoking of authority of deputized HEIs. is i : i ‘article VII FUNCTIONS OF THE DEPUTIZED HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS The HEI that has been deputized by CHED to implement ETEEAP shall exercise full responsibility and accountability for the quality of ETEEAP implementation. It shall: 1 develop ‘and implement clear ,and explicit institutional processes, policies and procedures that insure the integrity and quality of the accreditation and equivalency program; develop And establish in accord with CHED the competency standards for the degree program lagainst which judgment on accreditation and equivalency of non-formal and informal learning will be made;5. ' ; 3. assign and commit an office and competent / trained staff including a focal person, program assessors or examiners, with their respective roles and responsibilities clearly defined to, support the program in the following areas, among others: career testing ‘and counseling, assessment, development of alternative learning program for enhancing competencies, othe 4, provide specialized training fot staff involved in accreditation and equivalency processes and procedures; 5. provide sopert services to applicants and candidates including the provision of ‘competency enhancement for candidates who fall short of the standards for the degree sought; : 6. establish a mechanism of ETEEAP monitoring, review and evaluation; 7. conduct ipsearch on efficiency anid effectiveness of Program implementation; 8. award appropriate equivalency credit or academic degree to successful candidates, and, 9. charge reasonable and applicable fees for equivalency and accreditation services. 10. submit tolthe CHEDRO and the ETEEAP Secretariat all necessary reports pertaining to the implementation of the program. { Article Vill Rote OF THE CHED REGIONAL OFFICES (CHEDROs) ‘The CHEDRO shall receive and review the application and documents of an HE! applying for deputation, conduct initial evaluation and if application is in order, recommend to the ETEEAP Secretariat in the CHED Central Office, the application for appropriate action. The CHEDROs shall be responsible for monitoring the Program implementation in the deputized HEIs in their respective regions. The CHEDRO shail assist the deputized HEls to initiate and undertake projects and activities that will sustain the Program in the region. The CHEDROs shall ensure that the deputized HEIs submit regularly their reports and data ‘on Program implementation to both the ETEEAP Secretariat in the CHED Central and Regional Offices. ! ‘The CHEDRO, shall designate a focal person/coordinator with specific functions and responsibiities for the monitoring/evaluation of the ETEEAP within the region. Hl Article X ' ROLE OF THE ETEEAP TECHNICAL SECRETARIAT The permanent ETEEAP Technical Secretariat, lodged under the office of the Chairman of the Commission, shall be under the supervision of the Executive Director. It shall be the ‘Commission's arm in the formulation of policies on equivalency and accreditation. I! ! ite vpmemnmmHE ae SE aS eee eee i 7 i ! 2. It shall provide|technical support to external technical experts and authorities on equivalency and accreditation whose services may be contracted by the Commission. 8. In coordination with the CHEDROs, the Technical Secretariat shall carry out evaluation of institutional and program capabilities| for deputation, monitoring and supervision of the deputized HEIS as regards compliance with policy and program implementation, and such ater functions to ensure the efiient and effective ETEEAP implementation. 1 iPen i article X : TRANSITORY PROVISION Ii 1. Higher educatich institutions that are ‘curently deputized shall be alowed to continue its authority to implement the program white complying with the accredi stipulated in this CMO within a periodjof three (3) academic years after its approval. After which date, all HEIs that are deputized shall be subject to the full provisions and requirements of this CMO. 2. Deputized HEis shall be assessed by the CHED Central Office within the 4° year of implementation and if found to have complied with the full provisions of this CMO, the HEI shall be re-certfied. in case the CHED has not conducted an evaluation, the institution shall continue to implement the ETEEAP. i : ‘Article XI ' SEPARABILITY CLAUSE ___..lt any part oF provision of this CMO shall be held invalid, other provisions hereof which are not affected shall continue to be in force and effect. Article Xi REPEALING CLAUSE. Article XiIt i i { This CMO supersedes CHED Memorandum Order No. 21, series of 1997 1 i | ! i EFFECTIVITY This CMO Shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper ot wide circulation. Approved this 11 day of Merch 2008, Quezon City, Phiippines. For the Commission: ~ EMMANUEL Y. ANGE! \ Chairman