The WASC Standards are the framework of evaluation for the Proposal Review Committee, evaluation team, and the Commission, and are applied within each institution's mission and context. Accreditation judgments are made at the level of the Standard itself. Within each Standard are sub-areas titled
"Criteria for Review" (CFRs). Each of the CFRs defines topical areas essential to the Standard and is meant to support the decision about whether the institution meets the Standard. Many of the CFRs have associated Guidelines. The guidelines identify the expected forms or methods of demonstrating performance. If an institution chooses not to employ the practices described in a particular Guideline, the institution is responsible for showing that it has addressed the intent of the CFR in an equally effective way.