If you're checking out an online school in one of the six states it serves, you'll want to know the basics of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. My latest About.com article explains:

"The New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) is the oldest regional accrediting agency in the nation. It currently offers accreditation to over 2,000 schools in six states.

Regional accreditors are recognized by both the United States Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)."

The states served by NEASC include Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Check out the full article to learn more about this important regional accreditor.