GOAL 1:
THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE LAW SCHOOL ACCREDITATION PROCESS WILL BE FAIR, EFFECTIVE, AND EFFICIENT IN PROMOTING QUALITY LEGAL EDUCATION

Objective 1.1: Increase awareness and understanding of the nature and purposes of the accreditation process

Strategies:
1.1.1 Strengthen, extend, and expand communications regarding accreditation with law schools, practicing lawyers and the organized bar, the judiciary, the public, and other constituencies

1.1.2 Prepare and disseminate informational materials about and be available to explain the substance and operation of the accreditation process to all key constituencies

1.1.3 Widen and diversify the pool of site evaluation team members

1.1.4 Educate volunteer participants, law schools, states' highest courts, and others about recent changes to the substance and process of accreditation and modify instructions on procedures

Objective 1.2: Protect the interests of the public, law students and the profession

Strategies:
1.2.1 Promote and maintain clear, comprehensive, appropriate Standards for accreditation of law schools and enforce them fairly and effectively

1.2.2 Assist bar examining authorities in establishing appropriate criteria for admissions to the bar

Objective 1.3: Regularly review and assess the continuing validity and effectiveness of the accreditation process

Strategies:
1.3.1 Develop prompt and reliable means of implementing recommendations of Section study commissions and committees charged with evaluating aspects of the accreditation standards and process

1.3.2 Assure regular oversight of the Standards and enforcement procedures

1.3.3 Solicit, on an ongoing basis, input and feedback from the greater legal and academic communities on perceived needs for reform

1.3.4 Support periodic reviews of the validity of the Standards

Objective 1.4: Ensure that the accreditation process functions efficiently

Strategies:
1.4.1 Periodically review costs and fees associated with the accreditation process for sufficiency and appropriateness

1.4.2 Provide full and adequate explanation of costs and fees imposed

1.4.3 Continually strive to increase productivity of staff and volunteers

1.4.4 Eliminate any undue burdens on law schools in connection with the accreditation process

Objective 1.5: Develop a comprehensive long-term plan to ensure adequate financing of the accreditation system

Strategies:
1.5.1 Assess accreditation financing issues within the context of the overall budget process

1.5.2 Consider and implement appropriate recommendations to assure adequate financing of the accreditation process

Objective 1.6: Develop processes that reduce barriers to educational innovation, bearing in mind that educational quality must not be sacrificed in the name of innovation

Strategies:
1.6.1 Appoint a Council committee to pursue this objective          

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GOAL 2:
THE SECTION WILL BE A LEADING FORCE IN PROMOTING QUALITY IN LEGAL EDUCATION AND THE BAR ADMISSIONS PROCESS

Objective 2.1: Increase the role of the Section in setting priorities, pursuing initiatives, and communicating the changing needs and responsibilities of law schools, students, high courts, bar examiners, and the lawyers of the future

Strategies:
2.1.1 Commit appropriate resources to anticipate trends in the law that will influence quality in legal education and law practice in the future

2.1.2 Be a creative force in considering the relationship of the following items to the fostering and maintenance of quality in legal education, encompassing teaching, scholarship, and service:

• professional skills training
• technology
• pro bono service during law school
• the Americans with Disabilities Act
• elimination of unlawful discriminatory barriers to access to the profession
• financing of legal education, in light of rising costs and default rates, and prospects of limiting access to all qualified persons regardless of income
• placement opportunities
• declining applicant pools
• lawyer specialization
• skills and values needed by solo practitioners
• interest in liberalizing barriers to interstate and international law practice
• increase of law graduates pursuing non-legal positions
• movement of traditional law jobs to non-lawyers

Objective 2.2: Improve the Section's ties to bar examiners and the judiciary

Strategies:
2.2.1 Stay abreast of new and innovative pre-law, law school, and bar examination testing theories and methods

2.2.2 Promote cooperation in conducting character and fitness screening and continue to refine character and fitness screening by bar examiners in cooperation with law schools

2.2.3 Develop a national forum focusing on bar admissions issues

Objective 2.3: Expand Section membership

Strategies:
2.3.1 Increase involvement of current Section members in the programs and committees of the Section

2.3.2 Recruit bar examiners through efforts led by existing bar examiner members of the Section

2.3.3 Identify lawyer-leaders in specialized areas of practice with close allegiance to the Section and work through them to attract membership from their areas

2.3.4 Recruit members from the judiciary through efforts led by existing judicial members of the Section

2.3.5 Identify adjunct faculty and lawyer members of visiting boards of approved law schools and recruit them as members  

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GOAL 3:
THE SECTION WILL EFFECTIVELY USE EXISTING RESOURCES AND GAIN ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Objective 3.1: Develop a program of timely, accurate reporting and analysis of financial information relation to the Section

Strategies:
3.1.1 Improve communication and cooperation between the Indianapolis and Chicago offices in formulating and monitoring the Section's budget

3.1.2 Increase the Council's knowledge and understanding of the Section's financial affairs

Objective 3.2: Develop additional sources of revenue to support Section activities

Strategies:
3.2.1 Examine the charges which may be made for Section publications and programs

3.2.2 Review the fee structure for accreditation activities to determine whether additional resources can be generated

3.2.3 Explore foundation and other grant sources to underwrite Section activities

3.2.4 Increase membership in the Section

3.2.5 Examine the Section dues structure to determine whether an increase should be made

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GOAL 4:
THE SECTION WILL HAVE A COHESIVE AND EFFECTIVE COUNCIL

Objective 4.1: Ensure that Council members understand the history, role, and responsibilities of the Council and the Section

Strategies:
4.1.1 Conduct a regular orientation session for new Council members

4.1.2 Routinely assign new Council members to participate in a site inspection

4.1.3 Foster Council member participation at Section workshops, activities, and committee meetings

4.1.4 Provide material for Council members on Section finances, operations, and activities

4.1.5 Communicate the role of the Council in accreditation matters, Standards review issues, and appellate processes

Objective 4.2: Maintain and enhance Council cohesiveness and effectiveness in carrying out Council responsibilities

Strategies:
4.2.1 Conduct a regular review of the long-range plan and Section by-laws

4.2.2 Conduct an annual Council retreat, one purpose of which is to discuss and address the strengths and weaknesses of the Section

4.2.3 Regularly inform the ABA leadership concerning the activities and issues of the Section and create a means of involving past Council members in supporting the Section

4.2.4 Develop ways to strengthen the relationship of the Section with members of the Board of Governors, the House of Delegates, and the staff of the ABA

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GOAL 5:
THE SECTION WILL INCREASE AND IMPROVE ITS INVOLVEMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE ABA

Objective 5.1: Strengthen the relationship and facilitate greater cooperation and communication with the Board of Governors

Strategies:
5.1.1 Build understanding and personal relationships between the Section and the Board through more frequent attendance at each other's meetings by officers or liaisons

5.1.2 Offer orientation materials and briefings to acquaint new Board members with the intricacies of the accreditation process and other Section functions and processes

Objective 5.2: Raise the visibility of the Section in the ABA and bolster interactions and communications with other entities in the ABA

Strategies:
5.2.1 Designate Council members to serve as liaisons to other ABA entities

5.2.2 Strive to educate better members of the House of Delegates about legal education and accreditation issues, the Standards, Council policies, and Section activities through increased information sharing, briefings, and personal contacts

5.2.3 Encourage more co-sponsorship of programs and publications with other ABA groups that have common interests

Objective 5.3: Recognize the Section's unique regulatory role in accrediting law schools and work to reduce any conflicts between that role and the Section's function within the ABA

Strategies:
5.3.1 Maintain effective lines of communication with the ABA leadership to ensure informed understanding of the accrediting responsibility entrusted to the Section, which is a core function of the Association

5.3.2 Develop processes to resolve governance, administrative, and resource issues with the ABA promptly and effectively

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GOAL 6:
THE SECTION WILL HAVE A RESPONSIVE AND EFFECTIVE COMMITTEE STRUCTURE

Objective 6.1: Develop committees that respond to the priorities of the Council and that consist of members reflective of the profession and the tasks of the committee

Strategies:
6.1.1 Review on a regular basis whether committees exist in areas of Council responsibilities and priorities

6.1.2 Identify the appropriate size for each Section committee

6.1.3 Promote diversity in background and perspective in selecting committee membership

6.1.4 Consider the needs of strong leadership, continuity of leadership, and succession in making committee appointments

6.1.5 Use committee appointments to involve more members of the Section and to prepare individuals for possible Council membership

Objective 6.2: Ensure the effectiveness of committees in carrying out Council priorities and procedures

Strategies:
6.2.1 Formulate an annual statement of the goals for each committee

6.2.2 Distribute the annual statement of goals to each committee member and to Council members

6.2.3 Publish a summary of committee goals to the Section membership

6.2.4 Periodically assess committee effectiveness and purpose

6.2.5 Request an annual report from each committee chairperson regarding committee activities

6.2.6 Share annual reports with the Council members

6.2.7 Increase the communication between the Council and Section committees

6.2.8 Facilitate healthy and orderly committee turnover

6.2.9 Inform committee chairpersons of the budgeted income and expense expectations and the need to schedule meetings in a cost-effective manner

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GOAL 7:
THE SECTION WILL ENSURE THAT THERE IS EQUAL OPPORTUNITY IN LEGAL EDUCATION AND ADMISSIONS TO THE BAR

Objective 7.1: Strive to eliminate discrimination on grounds of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, or sexual orientation

Strategies:
7.1.1 Continually assess the ways in which non-discrimination requirements in the Standards are implemented by law schools and also by bar admissions authorities

7.1.2 Appoint members of historically discriminated classes to site teams

Objective 7.2: Require concrete policies and actions to promote equal opportunities in law school admissions and employment practices

Strategies:
7.2.1 Invite the Accreditation Committee to express concerns about lack of concrete actions demonstrating commitment to equal opportunity

7.2.2 Regularly publicize and distribute information that describes the details of successful affirmative action programs adopted by approved schools

7.2.3 Cooperate in the development of programs to encourage approved schools and pre-law advisors to identify and target qualified minority students for recruitment

7.2.4 Work with bar associations to develop promotional materials aimed at attracting qualified minorities to legal education

7.2.5 Assist law schools in developing strategies for recruiting and maintaining a diverse student body, faculty, and staff

Objective 7.3: Encourage the adoption of policies and practices designed to ensure non-discrimination in the design and administration of the bar examination

Strategies:
7.3.1 Communicate this objective effectively to bar admission authorities

7.3.2 Charge the Committee on Bar Admissions to work with bar admission authorities to implement this objective