Presented by Dr. Tanmay Pramanik Overview of On-Site Team Evaluation

Purposes of the Accreditation Process To provide a quality educational program To provide a quality educational program To assist the institution in the improvement of its entire operation by assessing both strengths and weaknesses To assist the institution in the improvement of its entire operation by assessing both strengths and weaknesses

The Meaning of Accreditation The institution has met the standards and criteria at an acceptable level of compliance and has the prospects of addressing any identifiable weaknesses within a reasonable time. The institution has met the standards and criteria at an acceptable level of compliance and has the prospects of addressing any identifiable weaknesses within a reasonable time. The institution has demonstrated that its educational program has satisfactory quality. The institution has demonstrated that its educational program has satisfactory quality.

The Meaning of Accreditation The institution has demonstrated that it has the adequate resources to support the program. The institution has demonstrated that it has the adequate resources to support the program. The institution has committed itself to self-improvement and self-enhancement. The institution has committed itself to self-improvement and self-enhancement.

Overview of Accreditation It is voluntary and non-governmental in nature. It is voluntary and non-governmental in nature. It is a system of institutional self- regulation. It is a system of institutional self- regulation. –Institutional means the institution as a whole is considered rather than programs within the institution. It is based on peer review. It is based on peer review.

Scope of TRACS Accreditation TRACS provides accreditation for Bible Institutes Bible Institutes Christian Liberal Arts Colleges/ Universities Christian Liberal Arts Colleges/ Universities Bible Colleges Bible Colleges Graduate Schools Graduate Schools Seminaries Seminaries

Scope of TRACS Accreditation Levels Levels Certificates Certificates Diplomas Diplomas Associate degrees Associate degrees Bachelors degrees Bachelors degrees Masters degrees Masters degrees Doctoral degrees Doctoral degrees

Levels of Compliance Basic – candidacy (IERs) Basic – candidacy (IERs) Substantive compliance – accredited or reaffirmation status (All Standards Apply) Substantive compliance – accredited or reaffirmation status (All Standards Apply)

Four Major Steps in the Accreditation Process Self-Study and Self-Study Report Self-Study and Self-Study Report On-Site Visit and Evaluation Team Report On-Site Visit and Evaluation Team Report Accreditation Commission Action Accreditation Commission Action Follow-up Follow-up

Self-Study and Self-Study Report The institution conducts a self-study and prepares a report. The institution conducts a self-study and prepares a report. The self-study report addresses the institutions analysis of the level of compliance with each standard. The self-study report addresses the institutions analysis of the level of compliance with each standard. The self-study report is supported with documentation. The self-study report is supported with documentation. The self-study report becomes the basis for the on-site evaluation team review. The self-study report becomes the basis for the on-site evaluation team review.

Evaluation Team Team members are selected from a list of trained individuals and are chosen with care. Team members are selected from a list of trained individuals and are chosen with care. The teams vary in size depending on the institution and the type of visit. The teams vary in size depending on the institution and the type of visit. The minimum team size is four for a candidacy visit and five for an accreditation visit. The minimum team size is four for a candidacy visit and five for an accreditation visit. One of the team members is designated as the chair of the team. One of the team members is designated as the chair of the team.

Evaluation Team A TRACS Staff Representative always accompanies the team. A TRACS Staff Representative always accompanies the team. An attempt is made to match the experiences and credentials of the evaluators with the needs of the institution. An attempt is made to match the experiences and credentials of the evaluators with the needs of the institution.

Basic Purposes of the Evaluation Team To determine if the institution is in compliance with the standards and criteria To determine if the institution is in compliance with the standards and criteria To identify areas that need improvement To identify areas that need improvement To validate the self-study To validate the self-study To recommend the institutions accreditation status to the Accreditation Commission To recommend the institutions accreditation status to the Accreditation Commission

Team Preparation Read All TRACS Manuals Policies and Procedures Policies and Procedures Accreditation Manual Accreditation Manual Benchmarks Benchmarks Visiting Team Manual Visiting Team Manual Visiting Team Workbook Visiting Team Workbook Visiting Team Evaluation Instruments Visiting Team Evaluation Instruments

Team Preparation Read the entire self-study, supporting documents, catalog, and other material submitted by the institution. Read the entire self-study, supporting documents, catalog, and other material submitted by the institution. Analyze the assigned areas in detail. Analyze the assigned areas in detail. Formulate questions, determine interviews, and determine additional documentation that may need to be reviewed. Formulate questions, determine interviews, and determine additional documentation that may need to be reviewed.

Team Preparation Prepare a draft copy of your report prior to the visit including preliminary recommendations. Prepare a draft copy of your report prior to the visit including preliminary recommendations. Be prepared to discuss your preliminary findings with the team at the team meetings. Be prepared to discuss your preliminary findings with the team at the team meetings.

The Chair The Chair contacts the team and the institution to prepare for the visit. The Chair contacts the team and the institution to prepare for the visit. Sometimes, the Chair makes a preliminary visit to the institution. Sometimes, the Chair makes a preliminary visit to the institution. The Chair coordinates the visit and provides support for each team member. The Chair coordinates the visit and provides support for each team member. The Chair convenes the team meetings. The Chair convenes the team meetings.

The Chair The Chair provides basic information to the institution in preparation for the visit. The Chair provides basic information to the institution in preparation for the visit. All communication from the team is conducted through the Chair. All communication from the team is conducted through the Chair.

The Site Visit The evaluation team composed of professional educators evaluates The evaluation team composed of professional educators evaluates –The institution according to its mission –The self-study report The site visit or evaluation team visit is a major component of the review. The site visit or evaluation team visit is a major component of the review. A typical visit usually lasts four days. A typical visit usually lasts four days.

The Site Visit The team arrives the afternoon of the first day in time to complete a team orientation in the afternoon. The team arrives the afternoon of the first day in time to complete a team orientation in the afternoon. The team provides a list of people to be interviewed to the chair at the orientation meeting in the afternoon. The team provides a list of people to be interviewed to the chair at the orientation meeting in the afternoon. A dinner or reception is held on the first evening with the key administrators of the institution. A dinner or reception is held on the first evening with the key administrators of the institution.

The Site Visit The second and third days are dedicated to interviews, meetings, and review of documentation. The second and third days are dedicated to interviews, meetings, and review of documentation. An evaluation team report is written by the team, and submitted to the Accreditation Commission. An evaluation team report is written by the team, and submitted to the Accreditation Commission. An exit interview is held on the fourth day. An exit interview is held on the fourth day.

The Site Visit A draft copy of the team report with commendations, recommendations, and suggestions are left with the institution for action and response. A draft copy of the team report with commendations, recommendations, and suggestions are left with the institution for action and response. The team makes a confidential recommendation to the Accreditation Commission on the status sought. The team makes a confidential recommendation to the Accreditation Commission on the status sought.

General Duties of the Team Ask questions Ask questions Visit classes Visit classes Interview Interview Conduct open meetings Conduct open meetings Take extensive notes Take extensive notes Share findings with other team members Share findings with other team members Make Recommendations and Suggestions for institutional improvement or compliance. Make Recommendations and Suggestions for institutional improvement or compliance. Expand and correct sections of the team report Expand and correct sections of the team report

- Reality - THE TEAM IS A VERY BUSY GROUP FOR THE ENTIRE FOUR DAY PERIOD!!!!!

A Typical Team Assignment Roster for a Candidacy Visit Standards Biblical Foundations Biblical Foundations Purpose and Objectives Purpose and Objectives Philosophy of Education Philosophy of Education Ethical Values and Standards Ethical Values and Standards Instructional Support Instructional Support

A Typical Team Assignment Roster for a Candidacy Visit (Cont.) Standards Undergraduate Education Undergraduate Education Graduate Education Graduate Education Undergraduate Faculty Undergraduate Faculty Graduate Faculty Graduate Faculty Distance Education Distance Education Student Services Student Services

A Typical Team Assignment Roster for a Candidacy Visit (Cont.) Standards The Governing Board The Governing Board The Administration The Administration Support Staff Support Staff Institutional Advancement Institutional Advancement Institutional Effectiveness Institutional Effectiveness

A Typical Team Assignment Roster for a Candidacy Visit (Cont.) Standards Publications Publications Policies Policies Financial Operations Financial Operations Health and Security Health and Security Facilities and Equipment Facilities and Equipment For an accreditation visit, a team member for institutional effectiveness is added.

Accreditation Commission Action The Accreditation Commission reviews The Accreditation Commission reviews –The self-study report –The evaluation team report –The response submitted by the institution to the team report –The Staff recommendation –The Commission Readers recommendation The institution is invited to have representative(s) present for the Accreditation Commissions decision-making meeting The institution is invited to have representative(s) present for the Accreditation Commissions decision-making meeting The Accreditation Commission makes the final decision on the accreditation status of the institution The Accreditation Commission makes the final decision on the accreditation status of the institution

Follow-up The institution follows-up on team recommendations and/or Accreditation Commission conditions. The institution follows-up on team recommendations and/or Accreditation Commission conditions. A Progress Report is prepared and presented to the TRACS Office. A Progress Report is prepared and presented to the TRACS Office.

Things You Might Want to Know The institution arranges for airport and on-site transportation, lodging, and meals. The institution arranges for airport and on-site transportation, lodging, and meals. The institution provides a separate hotel/motel room for each team member. The institution provides a separate hotel/motel room for each team member. A work room is provided at the hotel as well as a documents room that can be used as a team room at the institution. A work room is provided at the hotel as well as a documents room that can be used as a team room at the institution.

Things You Might Want to Know A computer is provided by the institution. A computer is provided by the institution. A typist may also be provided. A typist may also be provided. You may wish to bring your own computer. You may wish to bring your own computer.

TRACS Office Responsibilities Make the team assignments Make the team assignments Provide a roster and team itinerary to all parties involved Provide a roster and team itinerary to all parties involved Make the team travel arrangements Make the team travel arrangements Provide a packet of information to the team that contains forms, etc. Provide a packet of information to the team that contains forms, etc.

Not All Standards Are Created Equal

Foundational Standards Biblical Foundations Biblical Foundations Purpose and Objectives Purpose and Objectives Philosophy of Education Philosophy of Education Ethical Values and Standards Ethical Values and Standards

Uniqueness of Foundational Standards The foundational standards distinguish TRACS from most accrediting agencies. The foundational standards distinguish TRACS from most accrediting agencies.

Operational Standards The Organizational Structure – Governance The Organizational Structure – Governance Publications and Policies Publications and Policies Educational Program Educational Program Faculty Faculty Student Services Student Services Financial Operations Financial Operations

Operational Standards Institutional Advancement Institutional Advancement Institutional Effectiveness Institutional Effectiveness Library and Learning Resources Library and Learning Resources Facilities and Equipment Facilities and Equipment Health and Security Health and Security

The Fab Five which is now the Incredible Seven Governance (Board) and Administration (Leadership Team) Governance (Board) and Administration (Leadership Team) Academic Programs Academic Programs Faculty Faculty Students Students Library and Learning Resources Library and Learning Resources Finances Finances Planning and Assessment Planning and Assessment

Writing the Team Report

Suggestions concerning writing the team report All recommendations must be supported in the narrative preceding the recommendation (s). All recommendations must be supported in the narrative preceding the recommendation (s). No first or last names are to be used. No first or last names are to be used. Combine recommendations where possible. Do not duplicate. Combine recommendations where possible. Do not duplicate. Use the Benchmarks in writing the team report. Use the Benchmarks in writing the team report.

Suggestions continued Discuss with other peer evaluators at regular chair called meetings your findings prior to finalizing your report. Discuss with other peer evaluators at regular chair called meetings your findings prior to finalizing your report. Begin each recommendation, suggestion, and commendation with The Visiting Team….. Begin each recommendation, suggestion, and commendation with The Visiting Team….. Recommendations should be based solely on non-compliance with a standard(s). Recommendations should be based solely on non-compliance with a standard(s).

Suggestions continued Each recommendation must be criterion- referenced. Each recommendation must be criterion- referenced. Suggestions reflect a professional view and are not based on a standard (s). Suggestions reflect a professional view and are not based on a standard (s). The team report in total must be discussed by the entire team, led by the chair, prior to finalization. All recommendations, suggestions, and commendations must be read aloud by the evaluator giving them. The team report in total must be discussed by the entire team, led by the chair, prior to finalization. All recommendations, suggestions, and commendations must be read aloud by the evaluator giving them.

Lets move ahead! The team report must represent a true snap shot of the institution at the time of the visit. The team report must represent a true snap shot of the institution at the time of the visit. Dont deal with future promises. Dont deal with future promises. The team report must validate the self- study. The team report must validate the self- study. The team report must be supported by interviews with faculty, administration, staff, board, students, academic alumni, and significant others of the institutions community. The team report must be supported by interviews with faculty, administration, staff, board, students, academic alumni, and significant others of the institutions community.

Were just about finished! The team report must represent the evaluation teams assessment of the institutions compliance/non-compliance with the TRACS Standards and Criteria. The team report must represent the evaluation teams assessment of the institutions compliance/non-compliance with the TRACS Standards and Criteria.

Summary Each major criteria category (e.g., undergraduate faculty) should be followed with narrative which describes what actually exists in light of the individual criteria statement. Each major criteria category (e.g., undergraduate faculty) should be followed with narrative which describes what actually exists in light of the individual criteria statement. After the narrative, include the commendations, recommendations, and suggestions for that section. After the narrative, include the commendations, recommendations, and suggestions for that section. The recommendation(s) must contain the number of the standard that is in non- compliance at the end of the statement in parenthesis. The recommendation(s) must contain the number of the standard that is in non- compliance at the end of the statement in parenthesis.

Summary Be prepared! Be prepared! Be objective!! Be objective!!