Higher Learning Commission Accreditation Process Update

Higher Learning Commission Accreditation Process Update

OverviewWhat is accreditation?Significant changes in the re-

accreditation process since 2007Campus resources

What is accreditation?Voluntary process of external review to

ensure that institutions provide high-quality education and continuously seek to improve. Assures the public that UW – Platteville meets

clearly communicated criteria and regulations. Ensures that faculty and students are eligible

for federal funding.

Who is our accrediting body?

The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), a commission of the North Central Association (NCA) Federally recognized private, non-profit

agency regulated by Congress through the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008

What was required previously for re-accreditation?

Annual institutional updates and monitoring of financial and non-financial indicators

On-site Comprehensive Evaluation every 10 years Self-study prior to Comprehensive Evaluation 200+ page report produced for evaluation

team

How has the process changed?

New process called “Open Pathway” replaces PEAQ (Program to Evaluate and Advance Quality)

New timeline for comprehensive evaluations

Separation of Quality Assurance from institutional Quality Initiative for improvement

Open PathwayVerifies that we are:

Meeting threshold standards Quality Assurance (Criteria for

Accreditation)

Engaged in continuous improvement Quality Initiative

Two Separate Timelines

Quality Assurance TimelineAnnual institutional updates and

monitoring of financial and non-financial indicators

Two Comprehensive Quality Assurance Reviews in a 10 year cycleOn-site peer review in Year 10 (2016-17)Off-site panel review in Year 4 of next cycle

(2020-21)

Quality Assurance Timeline

Note: we’re entering the timeline mid-stream

Quality Assurance TimelineAnnual institutional updates and

monitoring of financial and non-financial indicators

Two comprehensive Quality Assurance Reviews

No formalized self-studyElectronic files continuously submitted to HLC

Assurance SystemAssurance Argument submitted in Years 4 and

10

Quality Assurance Timeline

Quality Assurance TimelineAnnual institutional updates and

monitoring of financial and non-financial indicators

Two comprehensive Quality Assurance Reviews

No formalized self-studyRevised Criteria for Accreditation

Sub-committees assembled for each criterion Primary task is to identify and gather evidence to

support the Assurance Argument

Revised Criteria for Accreditation

Mission (formerly Mission & Integrity) Chair: Christina Curras

Integrity: Ethical and Responsible Conduct (Preparing for the Future) Chair: James Mueller

Teaching and Learning: Quality, Resources, and Support (Student Learning and Effective Teaching) Chair: Shane Drefcinski

Teaching and Learning: Evaluation and Improvement (Acquisition, Discovery, and Application of Knowledge) Co-Chairs: Colleen McCabe and Laura Bayless

Resources, Planning and Institutional Effectiveness (Engagement and Service) Chair: Matt Roberts

Quality Initiative

Required to undertake a major QI designed to suit our present concerns or aspirations. Can continue an initiative already in progress or

achieve a key milestone in the work of a longer initiative

Must have scope and significanceQI proposal focuses on implementation and

assessment of success of the new program review process for APC

Quality Initiative Timeline

Summary

Different process for accreditation New timelines

Quality Assurance Argument New Criteria New process of submitting evidence files

Quality Initiative Project Implementation and improvement of APC’s

Program Review process

Campus Resources

HLC Steering Committee Regular meetings which anyone is welcome to

attendWebsite

Information on the process Timelines Contact information