1. Choosing the Right Evidence for your assurance argument
Paul T. Busceni, Ed.D.
Higher Learning Commission Annual Conference (April, 2016)

2. a historical narrative
Significant statements and claims
Process
Institutional data
Goals for continuous improvement
From self-study to assurance argument
Institutional
Self-Study
a historical narrative

3. New Assurance Argument
Criterion 1 Mission
Criterion 2 Integrity: Ethical and Responsible Conduct
Criterion 3 Teaching/Learning: Resources and Support
Criterion 4 Teaching/Learning: Evaluation and Improvement
Criterion 5 Resources/Planning/Institutional Effectiveness
New Assurance Argument
Driving question
What evidence can be used to showcase alignment with each criteria?

4. Criterion 1: Mission
Public statement congruent with society values/needs
Relevant evidence:
Aligns with academic programs
Aligns with services of the institution
Assurance argument is not an explanation of how the institution came to the mission or an explanation of institutional policies congruent with the mission.

5. Criterion 2: Integrity
Commitment that all aspects of the institution operate with integrity (from enrollment to completion)
Relevant evidence:
Transparency of integrity
Academic freedom / academic integrity
Assurance argument is not a detailed description of operations or a detailed description of policy.

6. Criterion 3: T/L Resources & Support
Resources for assessment of student learning
Relevant evidence:
Resources for “support services” – however your institution defines that
Resources to support a rigorous curriculum
Resources to support qualified faculty
Assurance argument is not a presentation of assessment data or a discussion of effectiveness of “support services”.

7. Criterion 4: T/L Evaluation & Improvement
The assessment cycle of students
Relevant evidence:
What has been done with results of data?
Goals for improvement
Assurance argument (same as Criterion 3) is not a presentation of assessment data or a discussion of effectiveness of “support services”.

8. Criterion 5: Resources, Planning and Institutional Effectiveness
Strategic planning
Relevant evidence:
Planning and performance improvement
Fiscal and human resource planning for the future
Assurance argument does not review or restate information from other criteria – focuses on the entire institution.

9. QUESTIONS?
Paul T. Busceni, Ed.D.