REVISIONS TO THE NWCCU ACCREDITATION STANDARDS:WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR ME?
PURPOSE OF TODAY’S PRESENTATION
A little info about Institutional Accreditation
Brief overview of new Standards
Impact on CSN
As an Institution
For you/your functional area
ABOUT INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITATION
PURPOSE OF INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITATION
Intended to be a self-reflective process
Provides framework for institutional evaluation of strengths, weaknesses and achievements relative to criteria
Allows demonstration of institutional performance, integrity and quality to stakeholders
Allows for peer evaluation and feedback
SOME TERMS DEFINED
Standards are the general criteria by which an institution is evaluated
Articulate elements of quality and effectiveness
Policies are part of the Standard and further define it
Core Themes are fundamental elements of our Institutional Mission that form our common purpose, guide planning, implementation of activities, and allocation of resources.
Institutions interpret the Standards, establish their own goals and outcome objectives, engage in self-study and share this with peer evaluators who provide external analysis of how well we’ve done
AN ILLUSTRATION
Standard Two—Resources and Capacity
2 C.4: Degree programs, wherever offered and however delivered, demonstrate a coherent design with appropriate breadth, depth, sequencing of courses, and synthesis of learning. Admission and graduation requirements are clearly defined and widely published.
A policy would further contextualize (e.g. for distance delivery of courses, certificate and degree programs
WHY WERE THE STANDARDS REVISED?
It’s been a long time….
NWCCU attempt to maintain currency with evolution of higher ed:
Increased collaboration/decreased siloing (provide means for reflection on alignment around Institutional mission, strategic plan and core themes—emphasize shared purpose)
Encourage identification, utilization of cross-functional relationships in institution
WHAT THE NEW STANDARDS DO
Link functional areas with core themes--helps us think in collaborative manner
Evaluation across institution—how do we all help to achieve goals, support core themes?
Requires that institutions engage in data driven decision making
Link data, planning and resource allocation
Heavier emphasis on outcomes, continuous measurement, and documented improvement
AN OVERVIEW OF THE NEW STANDARDS
OVERVIEW OF REVISED STANDARDS
Standard One—Mission, Core Themes, & Expectations
Standard Two—Resources & Capacity
Standard Three—Planning & Implementation
Standard Four—Effectiveness & Improvement
Standard Five—Mission Fulfillment, Adaptation, & Sustainability
WHAT’S THE IMPACT ON CSN
IMPACT ON CSN--TIMELINE
TIMELINE/SCHEDULE CHANGES
New schedule is septennial (7 year cycle)
Annual communication—each builds on prior; something is ‘due’ every two years—reduces interim visits (two site visits in new schedule)
2011 is CSN’s first report 2012: Year Three report & visit
2014: Year Five report
2015: Year Seven report & visit
IMPACT ON CSN—WORKING TOGETHER
WE ALL IDENTIFY AND MEASURE OUR LINK TO CORE THEMES
Don’t have to link to every core theme
You still do it how you see fit (e.g. you still conduct assessment practices as you have)
Everyone measures and documents
May be asked to provide info on how you support other Standards
Strategic Plan and Deployment Plan are our guides—review them
IMPACT ON YOU—WE ALL ASSESS, DOCUMENT,
DEMONSTRATE
For Standard One (Mission, Core Themes, Expectations):
identify performance indicators relative to core themes (strategic plan does this)
Institution documents adoption and use of these
For Standard Two (Resources & Capacity):
Assesses major institutional functions, resources and structures relative to resources and capacity—can/are we attaining outcomes?
IMPACT ON YOU—WE ALL ASSESS, DOCUMENT,
DEMONSTRATE
For Standard Three (Planning & Implementation):
Must document evidence of strategic Institutional planning (all areas)
For Standard Four (Effectiveness & Improvement):
Must assess effectiveness and use of results for improvement—document assessment of core themes and progress toward attainment is new
For Standard Five (Mission Fulfillment, Adaptation & Sustainability):
Document expectations for evaluating fulfillment of institutional mission, monitoring operational environments to forecast and adapt to trends
PLANNING FOR UPCOMING CHANGES
Review the new Strategic Plan & Deployment Plan—these will inform our practices
Assessment: everyone has to assess and document on annual cycle
Those assessing need to add Core Theme link
Those not assessing will need to start this year
General Education Assessment continues
AA General Studies will need to have assessment protocol this year
OTHER EVALUATIVE ACTIVITIES THAT
CONTRIBUTE
Institutional Master Planning (Program Needs, Space Utilization)
Academic & NonAcademic Program Review
Upcoming Institutional Assessments mentioned (Customer Service, Climate)
Specialized program accreditation
Benchmark survey projects (CCSSE)
Homegrown surveys (through Office of Assessment)
FINAL THOUGHTS…
Look for trainings starting this fall for:
Those who’ve been assessing—adding in Core Themes
Those who’ve never assessed—how to get started
Remember:
Diane is available and happy to help you at any point in this process
X4485 or [email protected]
For more information on the Standards, process, etc., see the NWCCU site at: http://www.nwccu.org/