Surviving Reaffirmation: Two TSTC Approaches to Compliance & the QEP Texas Association for Institutional Research 27 th Annual Conference February 23, 2005 Presented by Texas Association for Institutional Research 27 th Annual Conference February 23, 2005 Presented by Kathy Kennedy Manager-ORPA SACS Accreditation Liaison Blanca Treviño Bauer Director-IER SACS Accreditation Liaison

Texas State Technical College Two Essential Components of Reaffirmation Compliance Certification Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP)

The First Component: The Compliance Certification

Texas State Technical College 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

Texas State Technical College 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

Texas State Technical College 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

Texas State Technical College 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

Texas State Technical College To access TSTC Harlingen’s reaffirmation documents (Compliance & QEP) Go to: 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 or

The Second Component: The QEP

Texas State Technical College Importance of the QEP QEP Impact on Student Learning Impact on the Institution

Texas State Technical College First Things First Read carefully the “Handbook for Review Committees” published by SACS Determine what should be in a QEP Establish an internal timeline

Texas State Technical College Developing a QEP TSTC 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

Texas State Technical College Developing a QEP The Team Members Meetings Student learning in the context of our QEP

Texas State Technical College Review Criteria and the West Texas Experience The Focus 1.Finding our Focus Research Information College Community Input Business and Industry Surveys and Advisory Committee recommendations 2.The Executive Summary

Texas State Technical College The Review Criteria Institutional 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?

Texas State Technical College The Review Criteria Assessment Based on goals and objectives from committees concerning: –Processes –Student learning –Overall plan Developed narrative Created chart of process

Texas State Technical College The Review Criteria Developing 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

Texas State Technical College Putting It All Together Lead writer Editor Content reviewers/contributors Final editor Preparation for the visit –Evaluators –Informing the college community –Scheduling

Texas State Technical College To access TSTC West Texas reaffirmation documents (QEP) Quality Enhancement Plan: Questions: Contact Kathy Kenney at or

Texas State Technical College 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!

Texas State Technical College Questions?

Texas State Technical College Thanks for Coming Good Luck with your own SACS journey!