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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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:
West Hills College Lemoore:
Antelope Valley College:

7. 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

8. 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)

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

16. 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.

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