Conducting a CAS Standards Self- Review

Conducting a CAS Standards Self-Review

John Purdie II, Ph.D.Assoc. Dir., Residence Life

Western Washington University

Remember “getting a physical”?“Again this year, members of the Whatcom Medical Society will be performing sports physicals for Squalicum and other area high school athletes. This is not intended to be a comprehensive physical exam and should not take the place of those recommended by your family physician. These physicals are designed to be limited to sports-directed examinations. As such, only returning athletes (current 9th, 10th, and 11th graders) with record of a comprehensive exam on file at their high school will be eligible. INCOMING HIGH SCHOOL 9TH GRADERS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE.

What game are you playing…?Together we provide an environment

for our diverse student population to reach their greatest potential through inspiration,

accessibility, and support.

UAA Student Affairs departments and staff are committed to providing student-centered services and programs that support students' academic and social

integration into the UAA community, engage students in active learning, and

foster the growth and development of each student.

PurposeIntroduce the CAS StandardsDevelop capacity to conduct a CAS self-studyProvide support and motivation as you continue

to progress toward becoming…

Mission Driven

Evidence-based

decision-making

Informed Practitioners

Culture of Evidence

Data driven

Able to demonstrate contributions to student learning

A Connoisseur, a Critic, and a Skeptic walk into a student union…CAS provides a structured method of

evaluation:Is the “X” functioning effectively to achieve

its mission?X is usually a program , service, or department

What evidence is available to support the determination?

Participant OutcomesIn order to be able to conduct a CAS self-study,

by the end of this session participants will be able to:Articulate the purpose and benefits of a self-

studyFeel increased self-efficacyIdentify institutional stakeholders needed for

the processIdentify and obtain appropriate sources of

data/evidence

What is CAS?The mission of the Council for the

Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS) is to promote the improvement of programs and services to enhance the quality of student learning and development.

CAS is a consortium of 40 professional associations who work collaboratively to develop and promulgate standards and guidelines and to encourage self-assessment.

Essential Elementsin the CAS ApproachCulture that values involvement of all its membersHas identified quality indicatorsUse of standards and guidelinesWillingness/capacity:

To examine itself and assemble resultsTo report and use the results

Has accountability, credibility, improvementMeasures of quality & effectiveness, impact on learning,

and program & service improvement

Hmmm...

We hold these truths to be self-evident…

Evaluative EvidenceSTUDENT RECRUITMENT MATERIALS:

Brochures & other program informationParticipation policies & procedures

PROGRAM DOCUMENTS: Mission statements; program purpose &

philosophy statementsCatalogs & related materialsStaff & student manuals; policies &

procedures

ADMINISTRATIVE DOCUMENTS:Organization charts; student & staff profilesFinancial resource statements & budgetsAnnual reports

Evaluative Evidence (cont.)STAFF ACTIVITY REPORTS:

Curriculum vitae & resumes; professional activityService to other programs, departments, or

community

STUDENT ACTIVITY REPORTS:Portfolios, developmental transcripts, resumesReports of student service

RESEARCH & EVALUATION DATA:Needs assessments & self-studiesProgram evaluation; graduate & follow-up studies

Quantitative DataSummary of objective responses on a

questionnaire or program evaluationStatistics about use by students and various

population subgroupsNeeds assessments, follow-up studies, and

self-study reportsInstitutional research reports and fact booksComparative or benchmark data at local,

regional or national level

Qualitative DataFocus group informationWritten summaries of responses to open-

ended questions in interviews and on evaluations

Client satisfaction surveys, self-reports, and written comments, both solicited and unsolicited

Team Discussion – what would be useful and where can you get that

Organization of CAS StandardsMissionProgramLeadershipHuman ResourcesEthicsLegal

ResponsibilitiesEquity and AccessDiversity

Organization and Management

Campus and External Relations

Financial ResourcesTechnologyFacilities and

EquipmentAssessment and

Evaluation

CAS: Standards and GuidelinesSTANDARD (BOLD TYPE; AUXILARY VERB MUST)

Financial Aid Programs (FAP) must have adequate, suitably located facilities, adequate technology, and equipment to support its mission and goals efficiently and effectively. Facilities, technology, and equipment must be evaluated regularly and be in compliance with relevant federal, state, provincial, and local requirements to provide for access, health, safety, and security.

GUIDELINE (LIGHT-FACED TYPE; VERB SHOULD)The program should have facilities or have access to: private office or space for confidential counseling, interviewing, and

other meetings office, reception, and storage space and security sufficient to

accommodate assigned staff, supplies, equipment, library resources, and machinery

conference room or meeting space

"If you don't know where you are going, you will wind up somewhere else.“

~Yogi Berra

CAS Self-Assessment Process1. Establish and prepare the Self-

Assessment Team2. Compile and review Documentary and

Evaluative Evidence3. Identify Discrepancies4. Determine appropriate Corrective Action5. Recommend Steps for Program

Enhancement6. Prepare an Action Plan

The Self-Study TeamAppointing the Team:Size of team ≈ 5Composition: Faculty, Staff, Students &

OthersMost, if not all, should be from outside the unitAt least 2 of those should be pretty

knowledgeable Admin. support?

The Self-Study TeamTraining the Team:

Establish team ground rulesDiscuss meaning of each standardEstablish team’s inter-rater reliabilityEncourage team discussion; expect

disagreements; commit to consensual resolution

Status Report!

Participant OutcomesIn order to be able to conduct a CAS self-study, by

the end of this session participants will be able to:Articulate the purpose and benefits of the reviewFeel increased self-efficacyIdentify institutional stakeholders needed for

review processIdentify and obtain appropriate sources of

data/evidence

With pilot teams after lunch:A cursory review of “what” and “why”In-depth on “how” (i.e., using SAGs)