质量计划
Because 太阳城集团官方网站 is on the Open Pathway for accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), there is a requirement to take on a quality initiative. The quality initiative (QI) is the expectation that an institution undertakes a project focused on quality improvement. The QI takes place between years 5 and 9 of the Open Pathway Cycle. In years 5-7, an institution will put together the quality initiative proposal which will be reviewed by peer reviewers. As long as the proposal has been accepted by HLC, the institution will work on the implementation of the QI in years 7-9. By the end of the 9th year, the institution is expected to submit a final report involving reflection on the strategies and accomplishments and to identify new priorities and challenges. HLC is more concerned with the effort that is being made with the QI, then the evidence of effectiveness.
太阳城集团官方网站决定把重点放在改善第一年的体验上。 This will involve using a self-study process for the FYE in order to examine existing evidence and practices to identify areas for improvement. The process will be guided by the new Council for the Advancement of Standards (CAS) First Year Experience Cross-Functional Framework. We anticipate that this process will take about three years and will involve assembling a self-assessment team that will identify evidence, uses the CAS FYE framework to evaluate the evidence, develop and implement an action plan based on the findings, and prepare the final report. This is a continuation of the work that was a result of the retention committee and aligns with an initiative developed through the college’s strategic planning process. CAS promotes intra-campus collaboration and reflects good practices agreed upon by the profession-at-large through the CAS Standards. The First-Year Experience Cross-Functional Framework is the latest of the CAS Standards and was published in 2019. There are six standards and guidelines for the first-year experience in the new CAS framework. 它们包括:
- The Cross-Functional framework part on Charge and Operating Principles addresses the significance of the “position” and “authority” of the individual(s) responsible for charging the team; statements of the purpose or charge and the goals and objectives of the Cross-Functional team; key operating principles, expectations, and desired outcomes (e.g., impact on student learning and development); 和问责制。
- 团队组织和领导部分涉及团队的组成和规模； 团队成员的选择； 组织原则、宗旨和结构； leadership responsibility and accountability; 服务条款； 承认和认可； 为团队提供资源和支持。
- The Strategy, Approach, and Processes part addresses how the work of the team is done to achieve desired outcomes: systems and operational models and processes; 互联性; 综合各种办法的战略； issue research, data collection and identification of existing approaches and processes; 沟通和透明度。
- The Practices and Initiatives part addresses what constitutes the practices, programs or initiatives driven or influenced by the team and shaped by student needs, institutional culture, and environment; attention to quality and integrity of practice and inclusion of various voices and perspectives; ways of navigating points of intersection and interconnection; strategies and tactics for addressing improvement of student learning and program/institutional outcomes.
- The Internal and External Communications part addresses comprehensive and coordinated communication strategies and need for consistent and common messaging within the team, among team members, and with institutional and community constituents; integrated branding; 使用各种媒体平台。
- 评估 addresses aspects of a coordinated effort and plan for assessment pertaining to the issue or topic; 团队计划和策略的影响/有效性； identification of essential data; 数据收集和共享协议； progress toward achievement of goals and targets; 传播调查结果。
The hope is that improvements made to the first-year experience will have a direct impact on student persistence, retention, and completion. The QI proposal was submitted to HLC the summer of 2019 and was approved by peer reviewers. Below highlights the timeline for the QI and any progress made on the project:
2019年秋季
Following the CAS standards, identify various terms, such as scope of project, including what the first-year experience includes and who it targets. We would also receive any needed training for the CAS standards. (步骤1)
Make decisions about the self-study process, including who will be involved in the assessment and who will chair the assessment team. (步骤2)
Identify data that would be used for the self-study, including FYE program assessment data, NSSE results, first year focus group data and early alert software data about first year students. (步骤3)
2020年春季到2020年秋季
使用CAS标准和自我评估指南评估我们目前的做法。 This includes compiling data, judging our performance with the CAS rubrics, writing the report with findings. (步骤4 - 5)
2021年春季
根据自学结果制定行动计划。 (步骤6)
开始实施第一阶段的改进，并开始评估其结果。 (Step 7)
为质量计划撰写报告
2021年秋季及以后
实施第二阶段的改进并开始评估其结果。 (步骤7)
回顾第一阶段改进的评估数据。 (步骤7)
五年后再进行一次自我评估。 (步骤1)
继续进行改进和评估。