1. Writing the Institutional Report
Antoinette Mitchell
Vice President, Unit Accreditation
NCATE

2. What is the Institutional Report (IR)?
The IR is the unit’s assessment (self-study) of how it is meeting the unit standards.
The IR “makes the case” that the unit is meeting the standards.
The IR is the Board of Examiners (BOE) team’s map for understanding the unit and how it is meeting the standards.
The IR provides information that the BOE team verifies on-site.
The IR helps form the BOE team’s first impression of the unit.

3. What are the major components of the IR?
Overview
General characteristics
Program table
Summary of conceptual framework
Elements
Evidence for meeting each of the six unit standards
Element by element for the six unit standards

4. Who should write the IR?
Different institutions approach the writing of the IR differently:
Committees across programs write by standard
Programs write to all six standards
Program directors write with input from community
Deans with input from community
Ultimately, the IR should be written in one voice, but should not be written by one person without input from the community.

5. Institutional Report for Continuing Visits: What’s different?
Visit the NCATE website at ncate.org and go to the “Resources” page for sample Institutional Reports
The template for the IR is posted on conference CD under Donna Gollnick’s session on streamlining
The template includes the tables that should be in the report

6. What tables should be included?
1. Academic rank of professional education faculty
2. Programs and their review status
3. Pass rates on Content Tests (initial)
4. Pass rates on Content Tests (other school
professionals)
5. Unit Assessment System: Transition Point
Assessments
6. Field Experiences and Clinical Practices
7. Faculty Demographics
8. Candidate Demographics
9. Demographics on Clinical Sites

7. How long should the IR be?
Currently, 50 pages (might be increased)
Tables not included as pages
Each section/standard has a suggested length
Single-spaced
12-point type
Regular margins

8. What are the major components of the IR?
Overview – approx. 3 pages
Conceptual framework – approx. 3
Standard 1 – approx. 12 pages
Standard 2 – approx. 6 pages
Standard 3 – approx. 6 pages
Standard 4 – approx. 6 pages
Standard 5 – approx. 6 pages
Standard 6 – approx. 4 pages

9. What should be included in the evidence section?
Evidence that addresses each element and the rubric at least at the acceptable level
Evidence that addresses all programs, including advanced-level programs
Key evidence such as data from state licensing exams, evaluations of clinical practice, studies of graduates and employers, program reviews, admissions information.
Multiple sources

10. How is the IR related to performance-based accreditation?
NCATE is interested in outcomes
For Standard 1, include aggregated assessment data
For Standard 2, describe a systematic plan of assessment that addresses initial and advanced programs.
For Standard 4, be clear about proficiencies related to diversity, curriculum, assessments, and results

11. How much data are enough?
Amount of Data Expected for Program Reviews and Site Visits
Continuing Institutions
Program Reports Submitted
Amount of Data Expected
(program reports)
Site Visit Date
(site visits)
Through February 1, 2007
1 semester
Through Spring 2008
1 year
September 15, 2007
Fall 2008
2 years
February 1, 2008
Spring 2009
September 15, 2008
Fall 2009
3 years
February 1, 2009
Spring 2010
September 15, 2009 & afterwards
Fall 2010 & afterwards

12. How much data are enough?
Institutions Undergoing Accreditation for the First Time
Program Reports Submitted
Amount of Data Expected
(program reports)
Site Visit Date
(site visits)
Through February 1, 2007
1 semester
Through Spring 2008
1 year
September 15, 2007
Fall 2008
2 years
February 1, 2008 & afterwards
Spring 2009 & afterwards

13. How should one edit the document?
Content-should address the elements/rubrics
Standard editing – voice, tense, grammar
Use of headings – should be similar to the headings in the standards
Internally consistent
Professional document

14. What are the characteristics of a strong IR?
Address each standard, element by element
Use standard and element headings as organizers
Address the rubrics, at the acceptable levels, at a minimum
Include data to support statements
Include charts, tables and graphs

15. When and how should the IR be submitted?
Sixty days before the visit
Send copies to NCATE and to the team members
Chair needs a copy to conduct the pre-visit
Three ways to submit
Hard copy
Attachment in
URL in to IR posted on institution’s website
Discuss best method with chair!

16. The Most Productive Visits:
Were well-organized during the pre-visit
Had professional communities that were involved in the process
Had open communication between the chair of the BOE and the unit head
Included poster sessions describing programs
Had unit members who had a clear understanding of the standards and the process
Had faculty that made the decision to work toward performance-based assessment