Print[ED]
Print[ED] is a national accreditation program for high schools (secondary) and junior colleges (post-secondary).
How to Achieve Accreditation
- Complete application
- An Evaluation Team Leader (ETL) will be assigned to mentor the candidate program’s instructor.
- A team comprised of industry professionals conducts the final evaluation to determine if the program has met accreditation requirements.
- An applicant program is granted 12 months to complete the accreditation process. Accreditation is awarded for five years.
Defined Standards
Print[ED] has identified six standards that encompass the elements of a solid training program. In order for a program to become accredited, it must meet these standards in at least two skill areas.
- Teaching Credentials
- Facility, Equipment, and Safety
- Instruction
- Program Outcomes
- Program Advisory Committee
- Program Budget
Areas of Accreditation
A program must be accredited in at least two instructional areas, one of which must be Introduction to Graphic Communications.
- Introduction to Graphic Communications
- Graphic Design
- Digital File Preparation and Output
- Digital Production Printing
- Offset Press Operations & Bindery and Finishing
- Screen Printing
Curriculum
Although Print[ED] does not provide its own curriculum, there are curriculums available that are aligned with the Print[ED] competencies.
Articulation Agreements
Many Print[ED] accredited programs have established articulation agreements with institutions of higher learning. Articulation agreements are designed to build strong partnerships between high schools and community colleges and/or four-year institutions. The agreement outlines specific requirements completed at the high school level that will transfer to institutions of higher learning. Print[ED] instructors are encouraged to form articulation agreements to provide students with the benefit of pursuing further education with college credit already in hand.
Print[ED] History
Print[ED] was developed in 1986 by the Printing Industries of Georgia (PIAG) at the request of the Georgia Department of Education. In 1990, Printing Industries of America adopted the Georgia program as a national industry-approved accreditation program. GAERF assumed management of Print[ED] in 2000. Effective July 1, 2019, GAERF transferred administration of Print[ED] to the Printing & Graphics Association, MidAtlantic (PGAMA).