The New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc. (NEASC) is the United States' regional accreditation association providing educational accreditation for all levels of education, from pre-kindergarten to the doctoral level. NEASC is an independent, voluntary, nonprofit membership organization which connects and serves over 2,000 public and independent schools, technical/career institutions, colleges and universities in the six New England states (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont), plus International Schools in more than 65 nations worldwide. Founded in 1885, NEASC has been working to establish and maintain high standards for all levels of education longer than any other accreditation agency in the United States.