In accordance with APA governance policy and the recognition criteria set forth by the US Department of Education and Council for Higher Education Accreditation, the CoA releases proposed policy changes for periods of public comment prior to adoption and implementation. The CoA sends notice of public comment to its publics, including training councils, APA Divisions, APA-accredited training programs, and site visitors, among others. Commenters are invited to offer individual or group remarks on proposed policies. The CoA began collecting comments digitally in 2014 and continues to utilize an online public comment system.
The CoA opened two (2) periods of public comment in 2018. The first comment period began in July and remained open for a period of 90 days, closing in mid-October. The implementing regulations considered during this comment period included:
- IR C-29 D: Initial Doctoral Program Accreditation, and
- IRs C-21 D, C-19 I, and C-6 P: Diversity Recruitment and Retention
The CoA received robust comment from a variety of constituent groups. At its October 25-28 program review meeting, the CoA reviewed and processed all comment and voted to adopt final versions of the IRs, available now on the commission’s website. The public’s comments on IR C-29 D offered general feedback and were mainly affirmative. The diversity recruitment and retention regulations were subject to abundant and substantive comment. Many important themes were raised, and the commission decided that continued and sustained consideration of diversity recruitment and retention policy is essential. The CoA will continue considering this policy area in 2019 and looks forward to future engagement with the public.
A second public comment period opened in November for 90 days and will close in February 2019. The policies in this round of comment include those related to employment categories in public disclosure data, doctoral internship and postdoctoral consortium programs, and interim reporting. Minor changes to public disclosure and consortium policies are being considered. Regulations concerning interim reporting are out for review by the public for the first time.
The CoA invites the public to offer comment on the regulations currently available for consideration. Comment should be submitted electronically using the CoA’s online comment systemopens in new window. The CoA views public comment as an important source of reflection and engagement and values and appreciates the rich dialogue that it creates with its constituents. Those with questions about public comment or who need assistance with access to the online system should email us or call (202) 336-5979.