Building Partnerships:  How the Office of Assessment and Accreditation Can Help You and Your Program Be Successful

What are the top New Year’s Resolutions? First is exercise and second is lose weight This is a goal

Questions for Discussion Why do physical exercise? What process did you use to enter into an exercise program and what was your timeline? How many times a week and for how long did you plan to exercise? How did you know that you were making progress? What impact did the exercise program have? Did you achieve what you had planned? What will you do different next time? What went well and what did not go well during the process? Why is your Objective or Outcome What you will do is your Action How much is your Target How do you know about your progress is your Assessment Methodology Did you achieve it and the process is the Analysis of Findings What will you do different is Use of Findings (even if you achieved it)

Planning and Assessment and Student Learning Outcomes

How does the exercise relate to planning and assessment and student learning outcomes? New Year’s Resolution Exercise Planning and Reporting Process Why do physical exercise? What process did you use and what was your timeline? How many times a week and for how long did you plan to exercise? How did you know that you were making progress? What was the impact and did you achieve the plan? What will you do different next time? What is your Objective or Outcome? What you will do/what is your Action Plan? What is your Target and Timeframe? How do you know if you progressed/what is your Assessment Methodology? Did you achieve it/what is your Analysis of Findings? What will you do different/what is your Use of Findings (even if you achieved it)? The goal was to demonstrate how the exercise aligns with the planning and reporting process for student learning outcomes and strategic planning and annual reporting

Primary Importance of Assessment Assessment begins with issues and illuminates questions about which programs care. Assessment outcomes are meaningful. Assessment results are valued and genuinely used to improve. Assessment is a cooperative effort. What do you want to know about what students learned in the program. What are you experiencing in the classroom that impacts students’ success in the program.

Faculty’s Role in Assessment ”…issues such as curricular design and effectiveness, assessment of students’ academic performance, student retention and graduation rates, quality of academic advising, and appropriateness of co- curricular activities are central to the self-study. Because of their training and direct contact with students, faculty members are in the best position to provide analyses of these issues. And they possess the research and analytical skills not only to identify deficiencies in processes and outcomes but also to develop methods for improvement.” American Association of University Professors: Institutional Accreditation A Call for Greater Faculty Involvement (2008)

Office of Assessment and Accreditation’s Role Ask questions to understand (not evaluative) Exchange ideas (create a dialogue) Provide consultations and feedback Provide professional development opportunities Be a partner in outcomes research

Which of the following is NOT an advantage or benefit of accreditation? Protects the public from fraud and unscrupulous practices Ensures that schools demonstrate sound educational practices Supports students’ abilities to earn and transfer academic credits Allows schools to demonstrate good standing with federal agencies, especially financial aid Verifies that an institution is perfect

Why participate in accreditation? Provides quality assurance to the public. Protects the public from fraudulent practices. Allows students to transfer credits. Allows higher education institutions to be in good standing with the Federal Department of Education – (and thus dispense federal financial aid). Christine Institution meets a quality standard level Degrees are legitimately obtained and not just in exchange for money Credits are portable to other institutions Inability to offer federal financial aid could impact enrollment as only 1/3 of our students who are enrolled do not receive

Accreditation Overview The Review Process : Standards: The accrediting establishes standards. Self-study report and evaluation: The institution or program prepares an in-depth self-evaluation study that measures its performance against the standards. It is reviewed by a team of peers. On-site evaluation: A group of peers is selected by the accrediting agency visits the institution or program to determine compliance. Accreditation approval: The accrediting agency grants accreditation compliance status. Accreditation monitoring: The accrediting agency monitors institutions or programs or programs found to be in non-compliance with the standards. Re-evaluation: The accrediting agency periodically re-evaluates each institution or program to ascertain whether continuation of its compliance status is warranted.

Major Compliance Categories Governance & Administration Institutional Effectiveness Educational Programs & Curriculum Faculty Library & Learning Resources Student Affairs Financial & Physical Resources

Educational Resources Office of Assessment and Accreditation website Personnel Detailed information about processes, templates, and tools Published books, articles, etc. Assessment Academy (prior workshop information and upcoming workshops) right click to open link

Assessment & Accreditation Pillars The foundation of the Office of Assessment Accreditation is built on four pillars: student learning outcomes, accreditation, planning, and faculty and staff engagement Planning Division Strategic and Annual Planning and Effectiveness Academic and Academic Support Strategic and Annual Planning and Effectiveness Accreditation Regional (SACSCOC) standards integrated in institutional practices Relational Accountability and Assessment Management Software Student Learning Outcomes Faculty-driven, systematic, and collaborative assessment in all modes of delivery Integration and alignment throughout all curricula Faculty & Staff Engagement Professional Development Opportunities Planning and Assessment Support

Questions?