NEWS RELEASE
August 23, 2006
For immediate release
For more information, contact:
Holly Mattson, Executive Director
or
Kayem Dunn, Director of Development
616.458.0400
ASID Foundation supports accreditation standards revision
The trustees of the ASID Foundation recently granted funds to support a major standards revision project currently underway by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (formerly FIDER). The project involves a comprehensive examination of the standards used to evaluate academic programs. After a review of trends and consideration of changes in practice and higher education, the proposed standards will be circulated for review and comment. Implementation of the new standards is planned for 2009.
“Our goal is to inspire our next generation of leaders through thought-provoking learning experiences. The ASID Foundation supports updating standards for interior design education because we believe that the profession advances as a result of relevant, high quality curriculum,” according to Juliana Catlin, FASID, chair of the ASID Foundation Board.
Council-accredited interior design programs report that standards for education are by far the most influential factor in curriculum development. This fact emphasizes the need for standards that set appropriate expectations. “It’s time for a change – a change in what we expect from the graduates of interior design programs in colleges throughout the United States and Canada. The profession demands more of its practitioners every day, lending increased urgency to our work to assure quality education,” noted Joe Pettipas, chair of the Council for Interior Design Accreditation Board. “We are grateful that the ASID Foundation Trustees share our vision.”