The document provides information and guidance for evaluators conducting WASC accreditation visits in Spring 2011. It outlines the context and process for accreditation reviews, including the three-stage review process and expectations for capacity/preparatory and educational effectiveness reviews. It also provides guidance on preparing for the visit, such as roles and responsibilities, timeline, pre-visit preparation, and determining visit strategy.

1. Evaluator Workshop Spring Visits 2011 Wednesday, December 8, 2010 Please join the audio portion of this training: 866-740-1260, Access Code: 7489001 ReadyTalk Help Desk: 800.843.9166 International Help: 303.209.1600

2. Announcements This presentation and the accompanying materials are available for download from: http://www.wascsenior.org/spring2011 For assistance with Voice and Web connections please contact: ReadyTalk Help Desk, 800.843.9166 International Help: 303.209.1600 Please mute your microphone if you are not speaking. If you have questions, please enter them into the Chat window.

3. WASC Evaluator Workshop Spring Visits 2011

4. Workshop Outcomes Know how to prepare for and conduct an effective visit Be prepared to produce a useful, high-quality team report Be ready to make sound judgments about institutions under the Standards Be familiar with resources that support your work on a team

5. Agenda Context for the Visit/Accreditation Preparing for the Visit Conducting the Visit Developing Team Recommendations Writing the Team Report

6. Context for Accreditation and Visits The continuing evolution of the WASC process and Standards The accountability movement Moving from assessment for improvement to assessment for accountability New areas of emphasis The Handbook revision process

7. Recent Changes in the Institutional Review Process and Standards Changes to Institutional Review Process re: Student Success, Program Review and EE Sustainability Changes to CFRs Clarifying the scope of the CPR visit to review the “infrastructure” for assessment of student learning Program Review and Program-Level Student Learning in a systematic way Tool: Table A & B (EVG pg 65 & 71, SVG pg. 63 & 69)

8. Covering the Impact of the Financial Recession on Institutions Questions to ask the institution: How has the financial recession affected your institution? How has your institution responded? What plans are in place in case the current state of affairs becomes permanent?

9. Q&A Please feel free to type in your questions using the chat window or just chime in.

10. The Three-Stage Review Process Institutional Proposal Capacity & Preparatory Review Educational Effectiveness Review 1. 2. 3.

11. The Three-Stage Review Process Institutional Proposal Capacity and Preparatory Review Educational Effectiveness Review

12. Timeline for Three-Stage Review Process Submitted 2 Years before CPR review Capacity And Preparatory Review 18-24 months to prepare for EER (or less for Candidacy or Initial Accreditation) Educational Effectiveness Review Extended period of time to sustain Initiatives (7-10 years) Proposal

13. Institutional Self-Review The heart of accreditation Built upon an effective internal process of Evaluation Self-reflection Recommendations from previous reviews Plans for action

14. Stage 1: The Institutional Proposal

15. The Institutional Proposal Guides the entire accreditation review process Connects institution’s context and priorities with the Standards of Accreditation Provides primary basis for both institution self-review and team evaluation Allows alignment of accreditation activities to institutional strategic plan and key areas chosen for improvement

16. The Letter of Intent Submitted by institutions seeking Candidacy or Initial Accreditation, the LOI serves the same purpose as the proposal Includes suggestions from Eligibility approval letter Submitted to assigned WASC liaison, one year in advance of CPR Review Instructions are in “How to Become Accredited” on WASC website

17. Stage 2: The Capacity and Preparatory Review

18. Purpose of the CPR Review and verify the information in the institutional presentation (report and data) Evaluate key institutional resources, structures, processes in light of Standards Evaluate institution’s infrastructure to support and assess student learning Assess institution’s preparedness to undertake the Educational Effectiveness Review

19. Stage 3: The Educational Effectiveness Review

20. Purpose of the EER Invite sustained engagement by the institution on the extent to which it fulfills its educational objectives Enable the Commission to make a judgment about extent to which institution fills its Core Commitment to Educational Effectiveness

21. Q&A Please feel free to type in your questions using the chat window or just chime in.

22. The Two Core Commitments

23. Core Commitment 1 “ The institution functions with clear purposes , high levels of institutional integrity , fiscal stability , and organizational structures to fulfill its purposes.”

24. Core Commitment 2 “The institution evidences clear and appropriate educational objectives and design at the institutional and program level. The institution employs processes of review , including the collection and use of data , that ensure delivery of program and learner accomplishments at a level of performance appropriate for the degree or certificate awarded.”

25. The Four Standards Tool: Standards of Accreditation (EVG pg. 49, SVG pg. 47) Standards at a Glance (EVG pg. 61, SVG pg. 59)

26. Standard 1: Defining Institutional Purposes and Ensuring Educational Objectives Institutional Purposes Integrity

27. Standard 2: Achieving Educational Objectives Through Core Functions Teaching and Learning Scholarship and Creative Activity Support for Student Learning

28. Standard 3: Developing and Applying Resources and Organizational Structures to Ensure Sustainability Faculty and Staff Fiscal, Physical, Information Resources Organizational Structures & Decision Making Processes

29. S tandard 4: Creating an Organization Committed to Learning and Improvement Strategic Thinking and Planning Commitment to Learning and Improvement

30. Expectations for Two Reviews Tool: Expectations for Two Reviews (EVG pg. 44, SVG pg. 42) Educational Effectiveness Demonstrating student learning Demonstrating institutional learning Demonstrating evidence-based decision-making Capacity and Preparatory Preparatory = readiness for the Educational Effectiveness Review Capacity = purposes, integrity, stability, resources, structures, policies, processes

31. Q&A Please feel free to type in your questions using the chat window or just chime in.

32. Preparing for the Visit

33. Roles and Responsibilities of Team Members and Staff Role of Team Chair (EVG pg. 259, SVG pg. 193) Role of Team Assistant Chair (EVG pg. 261, SVG pg. 195) Role of assigned WASC staff liaison (EVG pg. 9) Team assignments Tool: The Role of the Team Chair & Assistant Chair/Team Editor (EVG pg. 8) Section 10 (Tips, Roles and Advice)

34. Timeline For CPR/EER Reviews 12 weeks 2 months Institution mails report to team and WASC Team holds conference call Site visit held and team report written Institution responds to errors of fact in team report Institution responds to final team report Commission acts at February or June meeting Tool: CPR or EER Timeline (VG, pg. 75, SVG pg. 73)

35. Pre-visit Preparation Read all the documents from WASC Standards, CFRs, policies, visit guide, rubrics Background documents re: institution and purpose of the visit, including Proposal and/or last action letter/team report Read the institutional report Review the data portfolio and exhibits What to look for and highlight?

36. Reviewing the Exhibits Enrollment data Headcounts and FTE Graduation data Faculty data Key financial indicators Inventory of Educational Effectiveness Indicators Inventory of Concurrent Accreditation and Key Performance Indicators Tool: How to Review WASC Data Exhibits (EVG pg. 97, SVG pg. 90)

37. Reading the Report Has the institution done what it said it would do in its Proposal? Has it collected and analyzed data effectively? Are its conclusions supported by evidence? Are there serious problems or potential areas of noncompliance? Does the report contain recommendations for further institutional action?

38. Worksheet for Team Pre-Visit Conference Call Organizes team’s responses to institutional materials Helps team make preliminary evaluation under the Standards Provides basis for team to work toward consensus Should be submitted in advance of call Tool: CPR Conference Call Worksheet (EVG pg. 84) EER Conference Call Worksheet (EVG pg. 88) SV Conference Call Worksheet (SVG pg. 82)

39. Evaluates quality of institutional report and alignment with Proposal and previous action letter(s) Identifies areas of good practice, improvement, and further inquiry Identifies issues, strategies, evidence needed Identifies persons and entities to be interviewed Makes or refines team assignments Plans visit logistics Team Pre-Visit Conference Call

40. Off-Campus Sites and Distance Education Programs (special requirement for some visits) Prior to Visit: Sites/online programs will be identified and assignments made Review substantive change action letters to determine if issues have been identified Develop plan for the review of the programs and/or sites During Visit Interview faculty, administrators and students Evaluate facilities OR online infrastructure Observe classes (can be done ahead for online) Document visit and findings in the appendix Discuss important findings with team for inclusion in report, as appropriate Tools: Distance Ed. Summary (EVG pg. 197, SVG pg. 147) Off-Campus Site Summary (EVG pg. 194, SVG pg. 138)

41. Compliance Audit (special requirement for some visits) Required for: Institutions seeking Candidacy and Initial Accreditation Some institutions under sanction Additional report submitted by institution in advance of the visit—with links to documents Prepare as appendix to report Tool: Compliance Audit Checklist (EVG pg. 93, SVG pg. 87)

42. Determining Strategy for CPR Visit What evidence is provided to show capacity and readiness for EE? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the evidence? What other evidence do you want to review to evaluate capacity and preparation for EE? Do any issues arise with regard to the Standards? Meetings: format/methodologies

43. Determining Strategy for EER Visit What evidence is provided to show EE? Why was it chosen? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the evidence? What other evidence do you want to see to evaluate effectiveness? Do any issues arise with regard to the Standards? Meetings: format/methodologies

44. Drafting in Advance of the Visit Assistant Chairs draft outline of team report and Section I Team members draft outline or text for which they are responsible, using institution’s report and data portfolio, with space for additional evidence, analysis and conclusions Tool: Guidelines for Drafting Preliminary Report Narratives Prior to the Visit (EVG pg. 92, SVG pg. 86)

45. Q&A Please feel free to type in your questions using the chat window or just chime in.

46. Conducting the Visit

47. Launching the Visit: Team Executive Session Discuss preliminary findings Identify major issues for exploration Refine lines of inquiry for each meeting Confirm team assignments Discuss use of tools and rubrics Review preliminary outline/draft team report Discuss options for confidential team recommendation Review schedule

48. Visit Schedule Executive sessions and debriefings with team only Meetings and interviews with key individuals and groups Open meetings with students, faculty and staff Document review Time for drafting report sections Final exit meeting

49. Confidential Email Account Set up by WASC as extension of open meetings Checked by Assistant Chair during visit Important emails shared with team and investigated Comments included in team report only if the institution has a chance to address them Tool: Sample Notification re: Confidential Email Account (EVG pg. 169, SVG pg. 117)

50. Approaches Used on Visits Document review Interviews and meetings Mini-questionnaires Techniques for small and large meetings Fishbowl exercises Audits Plan visit methodologies in advance as part of schedule.

51. Tips for Good Interviews Decide on a protocol for interview Prepare questions and lines of inquiry in advance Ask questions that elicit information, stimulate discussion, or require judgment Avoid interrogation, leading questions, or loaded language Avoid consultation, giving solutions, or talking about your institution Let them do the talking

52. Addressing Student Success All CPR and EER reports should address this topic Teams should designate someone to study and write about student success Discussion should include summary of data, identification of issues, and plans for improvement

53. Evaluating Program Review and Student Learning on EER Visits Tool: EE Toolkit (available online) Suggested Approaches for Evaluating Program Review (EVG pg. 174)

54. EER Toolkit

58. Rubrics: Assessment of Student Learning Academic Program Learning Outcomes Use of Portfolios in Assessing Program Outcomes Use of Capstones in Assessing Program Outcomes Integration of Student Learning Assessment into Program Review General Education Assessment Process Tool: Rubrics for Evaluating the Effectiveness of Assessment Practices (EVG pg. 180)

59. Educational Effectiveness Framework Use with team to evaluate institution’s “place” Use language of rubric to describe the institution in the report Ask the institution to evaluate itself and discuss Confer with team toward end of visit to mark a copy of the EEF Submit the marked EEF confidentially to WASC Tool: Educational Effectiveness Framework (EVG pg. 178)

60. The Exit Meeting Team chair communicates commendations and key recommendations that will be included in report Chair may ask team members to participate The meeting is not a dialog, discussion or debate

61. Q&A Please feel free to type in your questions using the chat window or just chime in.

62. Developing Team Recommendations

63. Two Kinds of Recommendations Team recommendations at the end of team report, delivered at the exit meeting Confidential Team Recommendation to the Commission for action Tools: Commission Decisions on Institutions (EVG pg. 233, SVG pg. 167) Commission and Team Decision Indicators (EVG pg. 243, SVG pg. 177)

64. Team Report Recommendations Should be: Overarching and important Supported by evidence Linked clearly to Standards and CFRs Supported by text in the report Distinguish recommendations from suggestions and observations embedded in the report Tool: Educational Effectiveness Framework (EVG pg. 178)

65. Producing Effective Team Reports

66. Report Preparation Logistics Follow report template Start writing before the visit Complete your sections on site and give to Assistant Chair for editing together Tool: Section 7 (Producing Effective Team Reports)

67. Using Evidence in Team Reports Use qualitative and quantitative evidence Select evidence carefully and purposefully Connect evidence to an assertion or question Analyze information; do not just set forth data Let evidence suggest improvements Use evidence that speaks to the institution’s themes and the team's questions

68. Team Use of the Standards and CFRs Team judgments must be linked to specific Standards and CFRs CFRs must be cited in reports Standards and CFRs form the basis for Commission decisions Standards and CFRs provide a context for continuous quality improvement

69. What is an effective team report? Reflects a thorough assessment of the institution’s capacity, preparation, and/or effectiveness Is evidence based Cites the Standards and CFRs Provides the basis for a sound and supportable Commission decision Identifies important areas for institution to address

70. Tips for Writing Team Reports Consider multiple audiences: institution, Commission, and next team Know your areas of responsibility, including length and depth of your section Start writing before you arrive on campus Address priorities and goals set by the institution Address Commission’s concerns (last action letter) Make commendations, but don’t overdo it Use praise that doesn’t send wrong or mixed signal

71. More Tips on Team Reports…. Be sure to check facts Support findings and recommendations with evidence --and tie them to CFRs Ensure evidence is sound and valid Distinguish recommendations from suggestions or observations Use formal language and tone (e.g., not “we/they”) Don’t mention personnel by name Don’t prescribe solutions

72. Q&A Please feel free to type in your questions using the chat window or just chime in.

73. After the Visit

74. What happens next? Assistant Chair prepares draft for Chair, team and staff review; changes as needed Chair sends to institution for corrections of fact Chair finalizes draft and submits to WASC Chair sends Confidential Team Recommendation and completed EEF to WASC WASC sends report to institution

75. Then… Staff prepares draft action letter, which is reviewed by team Chair Commission Panel reads report and documentation including institution’s written response, meets with institutional representatives at Commission meeting Panel makes recommendation to Commission, and Commission acts Staff finalizes draft action letter on behalf of Commission

76. Also after the visit…. Team members send reimbursement forms to WASC within 30 days Hotel arranged and paid directly by institution Travel / food reimbursed Rental car must be approved in advance by WASC staff Spouse or assistant costs not covered See policy for more details Team members should not have any contact with the institution About the visit OR Consult with the institution for one year

77. The Team’s Impact Peer review is the foundation of accreditation. The team report forms the basis for the Commission action and its letter. The team report and action letter inform the work of the institution for years to come. Why were you chosen for a team?

78. Resources for Teams Appendices of Visit Guide Team Materials and Institutional Report mailed 10-12 weeks in advance of visit WASC Website: www.wascsenior.org WASC Email Advisory (sent prior to visit) WASC Staff

79. Q&A Please feel free to type in your questions using the chat window or just chime in.

80. Thank you for your service to the region

81. Announcements The materials presented during this webinar and a recording of this session will be posted at: http://www.wascsenior.org/spring2011