Examining accreditation in education in the context of schools

In this research, the organizations that accredit educational institutions and the criteria they are based on are examined, and in this context, it is aimed to investigate the meaning, importance, function and necessity of accreditation for schools. The research is descriptive in nature and phenomenology pattern, one of the qualitative research methods, was used. While determining the study group of the research, easily accessible case sampling method, one of the purposeful sampling methods, was used. The study group of the research consists of officials of seven accredited private schools from different regions of Turkey, as well as 21 administrators and 17 teachers working in various public schools from all levels in Adıyaman province, in the 2023-2024 academic year. The data of the research were collected by qualitative method. Data was collected using source scanning, document review and semi-structured interview forms. The data were analyzed using descriptive and content analysis techniques. According to the results obtained from the research, it has been determined that the number of accredited educational institutions in Turkey is quite low, these are mostly done at the university level rather than school accreditation, and those at the school level are based on private schools rather than public schools. Regarding the quality indicators of schools, participants; They stated that high school and university placement exam results, academic success and placement exam results are the most prominent indicators. According to the data obtained regarding the evaluation of schools, it has been determined that there is an evaluation in the current situation, and this is mostly done through inspections made by inspectors, trial exams held throughout the province and district, and central exams carried out by the Ministry of Education. As for the findings obtained from the participants regarding accreditation, regarding school accreditation; It has been determined that school accreditation is necessary for providing school development, high quality education and training and for the school to meet certain standards. Based on the findings of the research, it may be recommended to expand accreditation at the school level, to establish local organizations specialized in school accreditation, to accredit schools and to make arrangements that will make the educational service offered by the school more qualified. Key Words: Education, school, accreditation, school accreditation