The mission is to advance the cause of education in the colleges and schools of new england and of other geographical areas designated from time to time by the board of trustees. In addition, the association is to ACT as a regional accrediting organization dedicated to the establishment of cooperative relations among the colleges and schools of new england and of other geographical areas designated from time to time by the board of trustees. The association strives to develop, maintain, and improve sound educational standards, and to promote the interests in common to both colleges and schools.