1. Universidad del Sagrado Corazón
Workshop for Team Chairs and Evaluators Expectations & Accountability in Accreditation
José Jaime Rivera, Ph.D.
President
Universidad del Sagrado Corazón
San Juan, Puerto Rico
MSCHE Commissioner
October 4, 2011

2. Workshop Goals
This workshop is designed to prepare you to be an effective member of a Middle States evaluation team that recommends appropriate, consistent, rigorous, and defensible accreditation actions to the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
These actions are guided by Standards.

3. Characteristics of Excellence, 2006 What guided the development of these standards?
1. "First, these standards place an emphasis on institutional assessment and assessment of student learning.” [page v.]
To emphasize assessment as the tool for improvement.
2. “Second, the standards acknowledge the diversity of educational delivery systems that enable institutions to meet accreditation standards.” [page v.]
To recognize and support diversity.
3. “. . . the standards are clearly defined and illustrated, . . .” [page v.]
To provide transparency to the process.

4. Characteristics of Excellence Emphasis on assessment
". . . the Commission is aware of the institutional effort and cultural change that the relative emphasis on assessment may require.” [page v.]
We must understand the key role that the self-study process and the team visit can have to accelerate/recognize that cultural change.
The consequences of a continued postponement of comprehensive, quantitative and qualitative metrics in the assessment of higher education legitimizes and justifies outside intervention in the determination of these metrics.

5. MSCHE Context
". . . a professional association devoted to educational improvement through accreditation.” “Accreditation is the means of self-regulation and peer review intended to strengthen and sustain quality and integrity in higher education, making it worthy of public confidence and minimizing the scope of external control.” [emphasis added] “MSA’s accreditation is an expression of confidence in an institution’s mission and goals, its performance, and its resources.” [iv.]

6. National Context
Increasing attention paid to higher education and accreditation; rising questions about their value
Concerns about rising costs and spending for Federal student aid, together with “low” graduation rates
Misunderstanding about the role of the “peer” in the peer review process
Occasional calls for “one-size-fits-all” metrics that do not respect unique missions [NCLB…]

7. What does CHE expect of Teams & Chairs?
Respect for the Mission/uniqueness of host institution
Recognition of achievements
Collegial analysis and Integrity of peer review process
Expertise and Preparation
Team reports based firmly on Middle States Standards and supported by evidence
Avoid prescriptive pronouncements
Compassionate Rigor

8. What can you expect from the Commission?
Team reports are read carefully and help MSCHE at the next levels of review
Committee on Evaluation Reports
Commission Meetings
Committee and Commission members [with your support] work to ensure consistent application of Standards across institutions
MSCHE will inform the institution of the final Commission action on reaccreditation