PORTERVILLE COLLEGE ACCREDITATION OVERVIEW Fall 2017 Partially adapted from De Anza College Accreditation Overview, Winter, 2016

Accreditation: overview What is ACCJC? Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges Part of WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges) Accredits community colleges and other associate degree granting institutions in the Western region. ACCJC recognized by the US Dept. of Education What is accreditation? Voluntary, non-governmental, self-regulation, peer review participation Systems of self-evaluation on standards of good practice: Mission, goals, objectives Appropriateness, sufficiency, utilization of resources Usefulness, integrity, effectiveness Achievement of intended student learning outcomes Assurances of institutional integrity/effectiveness & educational quality

Accreditation Process: overview College Internal Self-Evaluation Submission of Self-Study to ACCJC Accreditation Team Visit the College Accreditation Team Submits Report to ACCJC ACCJC Board Reviews & Votes on Action College: Reaffirmed, Probation, Warning, Show-Cause, Terminate

Accreditation: why? Encourage institutions to improve: Academic quality, Institutional effectiveness, Student success Provides assurance to the public that the college meets: Set Standards and Eligibility Requirements (ERs) ACCJC Commission Policies Education received (degree) is legitimate Needed to receive federal financial aid “The primary purpose of an ACCJC-accredited institution is to foster student learning and student achievement. An effective institution ensures that its resources, programs, and services, whenever, wherever, and however delivered, support student learning and achievement. The effective institution ensures academic quality and continues improvement through ongoing assessment of learning and achievement and pursues institutional excellence and improvement through ongoing, integrated planning and evaluation.” - ACCJC

Self- study report: what is it? College appraises itself: Eligibility Requirements, Accreditation Standards, Commission Policies Honest self-assessment of strengths & weaknesses Assessment of meeting ACCJC standards On-going self-evaluation of activities for continuous improvement Reflective and forward thinking review & analysis of college processes, procedures, & practices

Self-study report: what to include? Information/evidence of meeting college mission & the standards Areas for improvement A commitment to continuous quality and improvement Presentation of evidence of student achievement and learning (results, analysis of the results, use of the results at the course, program and institution levels) Examples Self-Study Report: Chaffey College: http://libguides.chaffey.edu/accreditation West Hills College Lemoore: http://www.westhillscollege.com/lemoore/about/accreditation/index.asp Antelope Valley College: https://www.avc.edu/accreditation/

What - Accreditation Standards? Standard 1: Mission, Academic Quality and Institutional Effectiveness and Integrity Mission Academic Quality & Institutional Effectiveness Institutional Integrity Standard 2: Student Learning Programs and Support Services Instructional Programs Library and Learning Support Services Student Support Services Standard 3: Resources Human Resources Physical Resources Technology Resources Financial Resources Standard 4: Leadership and Governance Decision-Making Roles & Processes Chief Executive Office Governing Board Multi-College Districts

RESPONDING TO Standards: how? Use the language in the Standards as part of the response Answer every part of the Standard Repetition is ok Link to relevant evidence Write/Report as is: Report the facts Only notate claims that can be substantiated with evidence Succinct & makes sense to the reader(s)

What: types of data to use? Qualitative and/or quantitative data presented: tables, charts, graphs, etc. (with analysis) Longitudinal when/if appropriate Disaggregated by relevant subpopulations Resource: Institutional Research Office

Use of data in report: how? For example: Policies on curriculum review & implementation Evaluation of student learning outcomes Review elements, cycles/timelines, connection and correlation between program review with institutional planning Usage of program review data at all levels and across multiple cycles Actions taken (improvements) on the basis of available data, program review, etc. - What have we done? Examples? Student achievement data Planning data (external and internal scans, community) Surveys

Site Visit Team: what they look for in the data? …that the College… routinely & systematically gathers data analyzes data and reflect upon the data & analysis publishes the data and analysis & share them widely with constituent groups use data to plan, make, implement curricular and/or program improvements/changes use data to plan, make, implement institutional improvements/changes use the data to evaluate the effectiveness of our improvements

Evidence: PC examples? Program Review Data Scorecard Data Elements of Student Success Data Internal & External Scan Common Measures (Strategic Planning) Survey Data Climate Survey CCSSE Student Satisfaction Survey Strategic Planning Survey

Evidence: other examples? SLO Assessment: results, analysis & changes made Policies and procedures College website and usability of it Committee/council/division/board minutes and agendas Planning Documents: (Educational Master Plan, Strategic Plan, Equity Plan, 3SP Plan, Integrated Planning, etc.) Community Data

Quality focus essay College to identify policies, procedures, or practices that need to be changed = improve student learning and/or student achievement Based on self-examination/study: Identify 2 or 3 quality focused projects Desired goals/outcomes/deliverables Action steps Timeline Responsible groups/departments/individuals Resources needed for the projects Assessment/Evaluation of the projects

References Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges References Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges. (2014). Accreditation standards. Novato, California. Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges. (2017). Guide to evaluating and improving institutions. Novato, California.

…didn’t think so, thank you! Are we done yet? Questions? …didn’t think so, thank you!