In April 2006, the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI), and National Study of School Evaluation (NSSE) came together to form one strong unified organization dedicated to education quality. That unified organization, known as AdvancED, creates the world's largest education community, representing 27,000 public and private schools and districts across the United States and in 65 countries worldwide and educating 15 million students.

AdvancED leverages its size and global professional learning community to deliver the powerful combination of accreditation, research, and continuous improvement in a customized way to every school and district it serves.

Through AdvancED, NCA CASI and SACS CASI now have defined shared, research-based accreditation standards that cross state, regional and national boundaries. The accreditation process is designed to help schools and districts continuously improve through a unified, clear and powerful approach. The accreditation process is based on a five-year term accreditation that provides ongoing external checks, support and feedback.

The inclusion of NSSE, the research and development arm of the regional accrediting associations, brings to schools and districts greater access to NSSE's products, services, and strong research base on the factors that impact student learning.

The combined strengths of NCA CASI, SACS CASI, and NSSE under AdvancED create a powerful organization built on and committed to advancing excellence in education worldwide.