Summer 2010
During the AVMA House of Delegates (HOD) meeting in July, the Texas VMA presented a resolution calling for the Executive Board to assign a task force to conduct a benefit-risk analysis of the COE's accreditation of foreign veterinary schools.
Discussion began with an informational video providing context about AVMA's involvement in accreditation and the COE process. COE Chair Dr. James Brace and Dr. David Granstrom, director of the AVMA Education and Research Division were on hand to answer questions.
Some questions asked included:
- How does the Council evaluate a school whose program is in a foreign language?
Answer: Foreign site visits must be conducted in English, although the curriculum does not have to be taught in English.
- Can students from Mexico short-circuit the English proficiency requirement?
Answer: It's incumbent on the state boards to ensure that foreign students from COE-accredited institutions meet English language requirements. A letter stating that English language skills are not evaluated by the COE is sent to the state boards whenever a foreign school is accredited.
After much deliberation the HOD defeated the resolution by a vote of 61 percent to 39 percent.
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