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Gain insights into approaching Compliance Certification and Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) with valuable tips and experiences shared at the Texas Association for Institutional Research 27th Annual Conference. Learn about essential components, timelines, narrative planning, and utilizing IT expertise for a successful reaffirmation process. Discover the significance of QEP, impact on student learning, and effective strategies for developing a comprehensive plan. Find resources for accessing sample documents and contact information for further assistance.
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Surviving Reaffirmation:Two TSTC Approaches to Compliance & the QEP Texas Association for Institutional Research 27th Annual Conference February 23, 2005 Presented by Kathy Kennedy Manager-ORPA SACS Accreditation Liaison Blanca Treviño Bauer Director-IER SACS Accreditation Liaison
Two Essential Components of Reaffirmation • Compliance Certification • Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP)
The First Component: The Compliance Certification
TSTC Harlingen’s Story… • Reviewed work of pilot institution’s • Selected SACS Leadership Team (SLT) • SLT assigned Principles based on expertise/area of responsibility • Established aggressive timelines • Narratives completed by Dec. ’03, BUT format of all later changed • Little attention paid to QEP development
Approaching Compliance: • Select a Leadership Team with authority • Set aggressive timeline based on complexity of each Principle • Ensure enough IT expertise • Before narratives are entered, outline, plan, and collect all documentation to support requirement
Approaching Compliance • Plan narratives/organize based on 1) the amount and types of documentation 2) a standard format all “writers” follow 3) responses to all sections of Principle • Promptly identify: 1) documentation to be converted to electronic format, 2) documentation/information best presented through database format, 3) any elements college is not doing and begin planning/implementing immediately
TSTC Harlingen . . .Show & Tell • Visual design & ease of use is important • Use databases! (Assessment Plans, Program Review reports, policies & procedures, position descriptions, “closing the loop” examples) • Embed references in text…no extraneous documents • Cross-reference between principles • Use pictures to tell your story (labs, library) • Don’t let narrative get tedious for the reader
Go to: http://sacs.harlingen.tstc.edu To access the secure system, use the following: username: sacs password: SACScoc2005 (login username and password are case sensitive) Questions: contact Blanca Treviño Bauer at blanca.bauer@harlingen.tstc.edu or 956.364.4050 To access TSTC Harlingen’sreaffirmation documents(Compliance & QEP)
The Second Component: The QEP
Importance of the QEP QEP Impact on Student Learning Impact on the Institution
First Things First • Read carefully the “Handbook for Review Committees” published by SACS • Determine what should be in a QEP • Establish an internal timeline
Developing a QEPTSTC West Texas Experience • Highlights (see Chronology Handout) • Assessed the college’s needs through a variety of methods • Focus groups • Surveys • Strategic planning and SWOT analyses
Developing a QEP • The Team • Members • Meetings • Student learning in the context of our QEP
Review Criteria and the West Texas Experience The Focus • Finding our Focus • Research Information • College Community Input • Business and Industry Surveys and Advisory Committee recommendations • The Executive Summary
The Review CriteriaInstitutional Capability…. • Answered the following questions • Who will be responsible? • Do we have the resources to implement and sustain the plan? • Fiscal resources • Expertise (internal and external) • Do we have the support of administration, faculty, staff, and business and industry?
The Review CriteriaAssessment • Based on goals and objectives from committees concerning: • Processes • Student learning • Overall plan • Developed narrative • Created chart of process
The Review CriteriaDeveloping Broad-based Involvement • Focus Groups, surveys, development activities • Committees • Importance of committee chairs • Number of committees/purpose • Empowering committee members • Retreat • Preparing for the visit
Putting It All Together • Lead writer • Editor • Content reviewers/contributors • Final editor • Preparation for the visit • Evaluators • Informing the college community • Scheduling
To access TSTC West Texas reaffirmation documents (QEP) Quality Enhancement Plan: http://www.westtexas.tstc.edu/qep Questions: Contact Kathy Kenney at Kathy.Kennedy@sweetwater.tstc.edu or 325.235.7379
Final thoughts • Create balance between demands of Compliance Certification and QEP • Communication among ALL is a must • If Accreditation Liaison, know what is happening in all areas (QEP, audits, policies, assessment plans), push Leadership Team members to meet their deadlines • Support from President is key throughout the two years—USE IT!
