1. Standard One Core Themes & Objectives Objectives

2. Thinking Differently… Mission Fulfillment Implied  Explicit What does that mean?Achievements Assumed  Assessed How do you know? Evidence of Effectiveness Anecdotal  Verifiable Show me the data!

3. Revised Standards Standard One: Mission, Core Themes, and Expectations Standard Two: Resources and Capacity Standard Three: Planning and Implementation Standard Four: Effectiveness and Improvement Standard Five: Mission Fulfillment, Adaptation, and Sustainability

4. What is a Standard? A principle-based statement of expectations for institutional practice that 1. Functions as an indicator of educational quality and effectiveness by which institutions are evaluated; and 2. Provides guidance for continuous improvement.

5. Standard One - Mission The institution has a widely-published mission statement—approved by its governing board—that articulates a purpose appropriate for an institution of higher learning, gives direction for its efforts, and derives from, and is generally understood by, its community. The institution defines mission fulfillment in the context of its purpose, characteristics, and expectations. Guided by that definition, it articulates institutional accomplishments or outcomes that represent an acceptable threshold or extent of mission fulfillment.

6. Standard One – Core Themes & Objectives The institution identifies core themes that individually manifest essential elements of its mission and collectively encompass its mission. The institution establishes objectives for each of its core themes and identifies meaningful, assessable, and verifiable indicators of achievement that form the basis for evaluating accomplishment of the objectives of its core themes.

7. Changes in Terminology Strategic Plan Goals Objectives Targets Mission Core Themes Objectives Indicators Mission

8. Skagit Valley College exists to expand opportunities and horizons for students and to improve the communities in which they live. We achieve this by welcoming and valuing diverse learners, providing quality education and support, and contributing community leadership and service.

9. Core ThemesCore Theme Objectives Indicators for Core Theme Objectives Mission

10. Core Themes & Objectives A core theme is a manifestation of a fundamental aspect of institutional mission with overarching objectives that guide planning for contributing programs and services, development of capacity, application of resources to accomplish those objectives, and assessment of achievements.

11. Proposed Core Themes Learning Opportunities for All Building Healthy Communities Creating & Supporting Educational Transitions Fostering Sustainable Systems

12. Seeds of Change Look around for a place to sow a few seeds. -- Henry Vandyke

13. To Begin….An Information Sheet On one side are possible objectives (from our current strategic plan) for each of the proposed core themes. The other side has proposed core themes cross the top and the institutional resources and capacity areas identified in Standard Two down the left side.

14. First, briefly review the Core Themes and Objectives (pg. 1 of the handout) to get a sense of how the objectives for our current strategic goals might fit with the proposed core themes. NOTE: There is nothing to say that we need use these same objectives. They are meant to be illustrative of the thinking when we developed our strategic plan in 2006 and how that thinking relates to the proposed core themes.

15. Next, think about where the work that you do or your interests fit in under one or more of the Resources & Capacity areas listed on pg. 2 of the sheet. Then, think about the relationship between the proposed core themes and your work/interest. What are some possible objectives for the core themes that would tell you that your work is contributing to mission fulfillment?

16. Take a piece of the colored paper and write down 1) the core theme, 2) the resource/capacity area and 3) your proposed objective. You can do this for as many core themes and areas as you wish. When you’ve listed objectives for one or more core themes, share what you’ve done with others at your table. How are your objectives similar? Different? Any new ideas?

17. The BIG Questions…. Can you identify several core theme objectives related to your work or interests? Does there seem to be anything missing in the core themes?

18. Final Thoughts I am doomed to an eternity of compulsive work. No set goal achieved satisfies. Success only breeds a new goal. The golden apple devoured has seeds. It is endless. -- Betty Davis