The North Central Association was organized in 1895 at a meeting of 36 administrators of schools, colleges, and universities located in seven midwestern states. The association's original objective was "the establishment of close relations between the colleges and secondary schools." Better articulation between the two levels of education was a particular focus. In pursuit of that objective, the association undertook a thorough examination of education quality at both the secondary and college level. That examination process led to the establishment of an accreditation process for secondary schools. Accreditation of colleges and universities followed later.

The accreditation work of the North Central Association is undertaken by two independent corporations, the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) oversees higher education accreditation, providing institution level accreditation of degree granting colleges and universities and the Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI) accredits a wide variety of educational institutions, ranging from early childhood, through elementary, middle, and secondary schools to adult vocational, college preparatory, and non degree granting postsecondary institutions. In July 2006, NCA CASI combined with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) Council on Accreditation and School Improvement to form AdvancED; NCA CASI and SACS CASI now operate as divisions of AdvancED and as components of their respective regional associations.