1 Assistant Chair Training Wednesday, September 16, 2009 Please join the audio portion of this training: , Access Code: ReadyTalk Help Desk: International Help:

2 Announcements This presentation and the accompanying materials are available for download from: For assistance with Voice and Web connections please contact: ReadyTalk Help Desk, International Help: Please mute your microphone if you are not speaking

3 Training Outcomes To build understanding of the role and responsibilities of the assistant chair To build skills to serve as assistant chair To identify common challenges that assistant chairs face on visits and provide guidance on how to address these challenges

4 Agenda Introductions (name, institution being visited, WASC experience) Review outcomes and agenda Review and discuss responsibilities Discuss common challenges Voices of experience

5 Roles and Responsibilities of Assistant Chair Before the visit –Talk with the chair and AD to review the timeline and plan the pre-visit preparation –Assist the chair, as needed, in planning the pre-visit conference call and sending of first chair memorandum to the team –Compile the worksheets for the pre-visit conference call –Take notes on the pre-visit conference call Tools: CPR Conference Call Worksheet EER Conference Call Worksheet

6 Pre-visit work… Send pre-visit conference call notes to team re: –Issues –Lines of inquiry –Visit strategies –Team assignments With AD communicate with ALO re schedule and additional documents needed Participate on call with president (sometimes)

7 More pre-visit work… Prepare an outline of the report Draft opening sections of report Description of institution and visit Quality of report and alignment/evidence Response to last action letter recommendations Tools: EER Team Report CPR Team Report Special Visit Team Report

8 During the Visit- 1 Make notes as needed in opening strategy/planning session and other meetings Help keep team members on track with issues and lines of inquiry Help team chair be alert to issues with the team functioning Tool: Standards at a Glance

9 During the Visit- 2 Attend your scheduled meetings, etc. Draft your own sections of the report Work with ALO and AD re adjustments to schedule, additional documents, etc. Tools: Expectations for Two Reviews Commission Decision Indicators

10 During the Visit- 3 Checking the account: Check for and print s every day Share with team chair and team as appropriate Ensure that team is diligent in investigating issues raised by s Ensure that report does not make unsubstantiated claims based on s

11 During the Visit- 4 At end of visit: Help chair and team to draft the recommendations to be shared with the campus at the exit meeting Ensure that the team completes the Educational Effectiveness Framework Collect drafts of each team members report sections Tool: EE Framework

12 After the Visit Compile the sections of the report Edit the report for continuity, voice and coverage –Avoid redundancy –Identify gaps –Correct grammar, punctuation, spelling –Eliminate report no-nos Send to team chair Send completed EEF to WASC director

13 Guidance on Team Reports Team judgments must be linked to specific Standards and CFRs CFRs must be cited in reports Standards and CFRs form the basis for Commission decisions Standards and CFRs provide a guidebook to continuous quality improvement

14 Effective Team Reports Reflect a thorough assessment of the institutions capacity and/or effectiveness Are evidence based Cite the Standards and CFRs Provide the basis for a sound and supportable Commission decision Identify important areas for the institution to address

15 Using Evidence in Team Reports Use qualitative and quantitative evidence Select evidence carefully and purposefully Connect evidence to an assertion or question Analyze data; do not just set forth data Let evidence suggest improvements Use evidence that speaks to the institutions themes and the team's questions Address retention and graduation rates

16 Team Recommendations Should be: Overarching and important Supported by evidence Linked clearly to Standards and CFRs Supported by text in the report Distinguish major from minor recommendations and from suggestions embedded in the report

17 Tips for Writing Team Reports Remember the multiple audiences for the report: the institution, Commission and staff Honor requirements for length Start writing before you arrive on campus Be sure report addresses the priorities and goals set by the institution Be sure report addresses the Commissions concerns as expressed in last action letter Make commendations, but dont overdo it Use praise that does not send the wrong or a mixed signal

18 More Tips on Team Reports Follow a logical sequence Check your facts to be sure that they are correct Support findings and recommendations with evidence and tie them to CFRs Ensure that evidence is sound and valid Distinguish major and minor recommendations Use formal language and tone, e.g., no we or they Do not criticize or praise personnel by name Do not be overly prescriptive or try to solve the institutions problems

19 Some Challenges Team does not gel Chair is ineffective or disorganized Team member is not prepared Team does not achieve consensus Team member does not complete his/her assigned sections of the report

20 New for Visits Institutions reports should address new CFRs CPR and EER reports should address student success EER reports should address program review and sustainability of EE Note coverage of 2 and 3 should be in the team report Tools: Fall 2009 Visit Tools

21 Other reminders … Change in start time of visits EE toolkit/evaluating program review, assessment, and using rubrics Rating the institution on the EE framework and submitting it to staff Appendices that apply (off-campus visits, online review and compliance audits) Tools: EE Toolkit Compliance Audit Checklist Distance Ed. Summary Off-campus Site Summary

22 Thank you for your service to WASC and the region This presentation and the accompanying materials are available for download from: