Effective Practices in Accreditation

2015

Effective Practices in Accreditation

A GUIDE FOR FACULTY

Effective Practices in Accreditation ACCREDITATION AND ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE 2014-2015 John Stanskas, Chair, San Bernardino Valley College, Chemistry Randy Beach, Southwestern College, English Phil Crawford, San Jose City College, Political Science/Sociology Stephanie Curry, Reedley College, Library Science Michael Heumann, Imperial Valley College, English Danny Martino, Santiago Canyon College, Astronomy Timothy Pawlak, San Diego Continuing Education, Business and Information

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Effective Practices in Accreditation

Contents

I. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 1

II. Justification for the Paper ............................................................................................................. 1 Resolution 2.01 Accreditation Effective Practices Paper ................................................................... 1

III. History of Peer-Review................................................................................................................. 2 Other Countries and Accreditation Processes........................................................................................ 2 Historical Changes to the Standards .......................................................................................................... 2 Effective Practices for College Processes ................................................................................................. 3

IV. Faculty Involvement ...................................................................................................................... 3 Which Faculty Should Be Involved? ........................................................................................................... 3 The College Accreditation Committee and Faculty............................................................................... 4 The College's Accreditation Standing Committee and Faculty Leadership ................................. 5 The Role of Senate Committees in Accreditation Oversight.............................................................. 5 The Importance of Training and Communication ................................................................................ 6 Campus-Wide Dialog ....................................................................................................................................... 6 Planning Ahead.................................................................................................................................................. 6

V. Accreditation is a Continuous, Ongoing Process ................................................................... 7 Ongoing Responsibilities of a Standing Committee.............................................................................. 8 Systematic Planning and Evaluation and Longitudinal Evidence ................................................... 9 Addendums ......................................................................................................................................................... 9

VI. Sending Faculty on a Peer Evaluation Teams .....................................................................10 Benefits of Being on a Peer Evaluation Team ...................................................................................... 10 Time Commitment......................................................................................................................................... 10 Who Should Apply To Be on a Peer Evaluation Team?..................................................................... 11

VII. Using ACCJC Guides ..................................................................................................................... 11 The Accreditation Reference Handbook .................................................................................................. 11 Guide to Evaluating Institutions ................................................................................................................ 11 Manual for Institutional Self Evaluation................................................................................................. 12 Guide to Accreditation for Governing Boards........................................................................................ 12 Guide to Evaluating Distance Education and Correspondence Education ................................... 12 Substantive Change Manual........................................................................................................................ 12

VIII. Responding to the Standards.................................................................................................12 Use the Language in the Standard as Part of Your Answer............................................................. 13 Make Sure That You Answer Every Part of the Standard ................................................................ 13 Repetition Is Not Necessarily a Bad Thing............................................................................................ 13 Link to Relevant Evidence .......................................................................................................................... 13 Write It Like It Is ............................................................................................................................................ 14

IX. Developing a Culture of Evidence by Documenting College Processes......................15 Developing a Culture of Evidence ............................................................................................................ 15

X. Preparing for Your Site Visit.......................................................................................................15

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Effective Practices in Accreditation

After Your Visit ............................................................................................................................................... 16 XI. Reports ............................................................................................................................................. 16

Institutional Self Evaluation of Educational Quality and Institutional Effectiveness ........... 17 Mid-Term Report ........................................................................................................................................... 17 Follow-Up Report........................................................................................................................................... 17 Special Report ................................................................................................................................................. 17 Annual Report and Annual Fiscal Report.............................................................................................. 17 XII. Distance Education and Accreditation: Things to Think About To Be Prepared .. 18 XIII. The Standards ............................................................................................................................. 19 Standard I: Mission, Academic Quality and Institutional Effectiveness, and Integrity......... 19 Mission............................................................................................................................................................... 19 Academic Quality and Institutional Effectiveness ............................................................................. 19 Institutional Integrity .................................................................................................................................. 20 Standard II: Student Learning Programs and Support Services ................................................... 21 Instructional Programs ............................................................................................................................... 21 Library and Learning Support Services ................................................................................................. 22 Student Support Services ............................................................................................................................ 23 Standard III: Resources ............................................................................................................................... 24 Human Resources .......................................................................................................................................... 24 Physical Resources........................................................................................................................................ 25 Technology Resources ................................................................................................................................. 25 Financial Resources ...................................................................................................................................... 26 Standard IV: Leadership and Governance ............................................................................................ 27 Decision Making Roles and Processes.................................................................................................... 27 Chief Executive Officers ............................................................................................................................... 28 Governing Board ............................................................................................................................................ 29 Multi-College Districts or Systems........................................................................................................... 29 XIV. Conclusion .................................................................................................................................... 30 Appendices & References ................................................................................................................. 30 Appendix A ACCJC Bio Data Form for Evaluators ............................................................................... 31 References ........................................................................................................................................................ 35

*All references in this paper to the "Accreditation Standards" refer to the Standards adopted by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) in June 2014, unless otherwise noted.

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Effective Practices in Accreditation

I. Introduction

Every college struggles to create processes of quality assurance and continuous improvement to demonstrate and ensure its service to students and community. Accreditation is one avenue that ensures some uniformity across many institutions in the eyes of the public. While this paper focuses on accreditation processes and meeting the needs of accrediting commissions, it is important to remember the overarching goals of service and improvement when devising systems appropriate to each individual college.

II. Justification for the Paper

The Academic Senate for California Community Colleges was directed to create a paper by resolution 2.01 at the spring 2012 plenary session. The resolution states:

Resolution 2.01 Accreditation Effective Practices Paper

Whereas, The Academic Senate for California Community Colleges has traditionally developed and distributed papers and resources that provide guidance to local districts in meeting state developed regulations;

Whereas, The Academic Senate for California Community Colleges held its annual Accreditation Institute on February 10-11, 2012, in Anaheim, and feedback from the attendees indicated the value of the specific examples presented in the general sessions and breakouts;

Whereas, The Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) participated in planning and presenting the 2012 Accreditation Institute, and the ACCJC has expressed interest in continuing to work with the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges; and

Whereas, The ACCJC staff reiterated numerous times that colleges need to develop their own processes and that the ACCJC has not historically provided specific examples of the multiple ways that colleges can document evidence in meeting the Standards, yet the collaboration with the ACCJC at the 2012 Accreditation Institute provided the opportunity to solicit multiple examples to meet accreditation compliance;

Resolved, That the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges develop resources, including a paper, on effective practices for accreditation compliance including but not limited to effective examples of the following: completion of a self evaluation, actionable improvement plans, institutional effectiveness, surviving sanctions, program review, budgeting process, and governance structures.

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