CCE Leadership Hosts Meeting with Stakeholders
Arlington, Va.-- On Friday, March 16, leaders of the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) met with representatives from the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) and 36 other stakeholder organizations-including FCLB, ICA, IFCO, MCQI, NBCE and the presidents of all U.S. chiropractic colleges-in an effort to improve communication and the transparency of its operations.
The meeting was chaired by Craig Little, DC, CCE chairman, and held following a Dec. 14, 2011 hearing before the Department of Education's (DOE) National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI), which resulted in a one-year continuing recognition for CCE. That decision means the council's federal recognition is renewed with the requirement that it provide additional information by March 2013. The department stated that while CCE substantially met NACIQI's criteria, there were 42 administrative policies that needed to be addressed.
A 43rd item required that CCE demonstrate wide acceptance of its standards, policies and procedures within the profession, in addition to evidence on how its standards advance quality in chiropractic education. Eduardo M. Ochoa, assistant secretary for postsecondary education, presented his final opinion on March 15 and removed this item based on the fact that the concern vocalized by a "small minority" of the chiropractic profession was unfounded. However, in the spirit of building better relationships with its stakeholders, CCE went forward with a March 16 meeting to improve communication with the profession as a whole.
ACA was represented at the meeting by President Keith Overland, DC. During the meeting-held in conjunction with ACC-RAC in Las Vegas-Dr. Overland contributed to the discussion on topics ranging from the election of CCE leadership, the governance of CCE, subluxation, drugs and surgery, and primary care. ACA also offered to partner with CCE and the other stakeholders to help CCE gain full recognition.
Amid concerns expressed by some during the meeting about CCE's leadership, performance and its recently approved revision of chiropractic education standards, ACA's president urged CCE to continue to adopt measures that would ensure its leadership represents all segments of the profession and its educational institutions.
ACA also urged continued progress toward more transparent and efficient public comment on CCE's standards and policies; however, it was noted by multiple stakeholders that while the profession seemed far less involved in CCE's previous decisions, the current CCE chairman (Dr. Little) has demonstrated a commitment to a far more open, transparent and inclusive relationship with the chiropractic profession.
"ACA believes that CCE plays a critical role in the profession and that it must maintain full recognition by the Department of Education," said Dr. Overland. "The availability of federal loans for chiropractic students and state licensing for doctors of chiropractic are contingent upon the federal recognition that CCE accreditation provides. Additionally, federal recognition adds value to the DC degree and it gives increased cultural authority to those who earn it."
