Accreditation organizations, working on regional or national levels, have already laid down the framework for domestic accreditation levels. However, with increased globalization, there is a need to establish international standards. These will help students reach the correct decision while picking institutions for international studies. An IAO accreditation does not seek to replace any current accreditations a school possesses. It acts as a secondary accreditation, to compliment any other ones that an institution has received from regional organizations. Any educational institute that carries the IAO accreditation commits to delivering quality education, at par with international standards.
The IAO was conceived by education professionals from 25 different countries. Rather than replace regional organizations, IAO seeks to work with them in order to establish new standards. Regional accreditation organizations usually have their own standards already in place. These standards have been vetted through the years, and are of the highest quality and are very stringent. The IAO adopts these standards and infuses them with their own experience of standardizing at an international level. Over the years, other global accreditation associations have recognized IAOs' services and expertise.
IAOs' accreditation process covers all traditional and non-traditional educational institutions around the world. In addition, vocational institutes can also qualify for an IAO accreditation. Schools are eligible for IAO accreditation at elementary, primary, and secondary levels. This is done to ensure that children are attending a high quality institution from the very beginning.
The International Education Accreditation Commission (IEAC) evaluates and regulates accreditation agencies that are devoted to online education. The Global Education Support Forum for Working Adults (GESFWA) was conceived to promote and standardize education for working adults throughout the globe. The IAO claims membership to both, IEAC and GESFWA, in an effort to ensure that its accreditation activities adhere to the highest standards.
In order to receive IAO accreditation, institutions have to score high enough on IAOs' Points Profile System. An institutions' regional location does not have any effect on the points an institution gathers. This ensures that the institution is graded fairly and in an unbiased manner; the points system is strictly based on educational quality offered. The Profile Points System is continuously evolving and is updated to integrate new academic developments.
Institutes that have achieved IAOs' international accreditation are able to indulge in the many benefits that membership can offer. The biggest benefit is international exposure; a student is more likely to attend an institute that has received some sort of internationally recognized accreditation. Students graduating out of IAO accredited institutes will also find their qualification to be acceptable anywhere in the world.