A Connoisseur, a Critic, and a Skeptic walk into a student union… - PowerPoint Presentation

1. 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 can equal program, service, departmentWhat evidence is available to support the determination?

2. 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 professional associations who work collaboratively to develop and promulgate standards and guidelines and to encourage self-assessment.

3. 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 resultsCredibility, accountability, improvement:Program & service improvement; measures of quality and effectiveness; measures of impact on learning

4. PurposeIntroduce the CAS StandardsDevelop capacity to conduct CAS self-reviewRecognize value of Program & Learning OutcomesProvide support and motivation as you continue to progress toward becoming…Mission DrivenEvidence-based decision-makingInformed PractitionersCulture of EvidenceData drivenAble to demonstrate contributions to student learning

5. Assessment Pyramid

6. CAS Self-Assessment ProcessEstablish and prepare the Self-Assessment TeamsCompile and evaluate evidenceDetermine how well Standards are metWhere needed, determine appropriate corrective actionRecommend steps for program enhancementPrepare an action plan

7. The Self-Assessment TeamAppoint and Train the Team:Size of team ≈ 5Composition: Faculty, Staff, Students & OthersLeader & admin. supportEstablish team ground rulesDiscuss meaning of each standardEstablish team’s inter-rater reliabilityEncourage team discussion; expect disagreements; commit to consensual resolution

8. Team ActionsDecide whether to include guidelines or other measures that go beyond the standardsGather and analyze quantitative and qualitative dataIndividuals rate each and every criterion measureObtain additional documentary evidence if required to make an informed team decisionComplete the assessment, ratings & action plan worksheets

9. Organization of CAS StandardsMissionProgramLeadershipHuman ResourcesEthicsLegal ResponsibilitiesEquity and AccessDiversityOrganization and ManagementCampus and External RelationsFinancial ResourcesTechnologyFacilities and EquipmentAssessment and Evaluation

10. CAS: Standards and GuidelinesSTANDARD (BOLD TYPE; AUXILARY VERB MUST) Financial Aid Programs (FAP) must have adequate, suitably located facilities and equipment to support its mission and goals efficiently and effectively. Facilities 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 meetingsoffice, reception, and storage space and security sufficient to accommodate assigned staff, supplies, equipment, library resources, and machineryconference room or meeting space

11. Assessment Criteria ExamplePart 6: FINANCIAL RESOURCESFinancial Aid Programs (FAP) must have adequate funding to accomplish its mission and goals. Funding priorities must be determined within the context of the stated mission, goals, objectives, and comprehensive analysis of the needs and capabilities of students and the availability of internal or external resources.FAP must demonstrate fiscal responsibility and cost effectiveness consistent with institutional protocols.PART 6. FINANCIAL RESOURCES (Criterion Measures) Rating Scale NOTES6.1 The program has adequate funding to accomplish its mission and goals. ND 1 2 3 4 NR6.2 Funding priorities are determined within the context of program mission, student needs, and available fiscal resources. ND 1 2 3 4 NR6.3 The program demonstrates fiscal responsibility and cost effectiveness consistent with institutional protocols. ND 1 2 3 4 NRPart 6: Financial Resources Overview QuestionsA. What is the funding strategy for the program?B. What evidence exists to confirm fiscal responsibility and cost-effectiveness?

12. Criterion Measure Rating ScaleUsing this scale, consider the evidence available and decide the extent to which each criterion measure has been met.ND 1 2 3 4 NRNot Done Not met Minimally Well Fully Not Rated Met Met Met

13. CAS: Work Form AAssessment, Ratings, and Significant ItemsCASWork Form AAssessment, Ratings, and Significant ItemsINSTRUCTIONS:This work form should be completed following individual ratings of the participants. For each of the 13 Parts, identify (circle) the criterion measure item number(s) in the column labeled for which there is a substantial rating discrepancy (two or more ratings apart). Items not circled should reflect consensus among judges that practice in that area is satisfactory. Items where judgment variance occurs need to be discussed thoroughly by team members. Follow this action by determining which practices (criterion measures) can be designated as “excellent” or “unsatisfactory” and record them in the Step One column. In Step Two, list the items requiring follow-up action including any criterion measure rated as being unsatisfactory by any reviewer.Step OnePartItemsExcellentUnsatisfactoryMission1.1a1.41.1b1.51.1c1.61.21.32. Program2.1 2.4.3 2.4.8 2.4.132.6 2.8d2.112.2 2.4.4 2.4.9 2.4.142.7 2.8e2.122.32.4.52.4.102.4.152.8a2.8f2.132.4.12.4.62.4.112.4.162.8b2.92.4.22.4.72.4.122.52.8c2.10

14. CAS: Work Form A continuedStep Two: List item number(s) for each Part determined to merit follow-up and describe the practice weaknesses that require attention1.2.3.4.5.

15. CAS Work Form B: Follow Up ActionsINSTRUCTIONS: The purpose of this work form is to begin the planning for action to be taken on the practices judged to merit follow-up (See Step 1, Work Form A). In Step Three, transfer short descriptions of the practices requiring follow-up and detail these items using the table format provided.Step Three: Describe the current practice that requires change and actions to initiate the changePractice DescriptionCorrective Action SoughtTask Assigned ToTimeline Due Dates

16. CAS Work Form C:Summary Action PlanStep Four: This form concludes the self-assessment process and calls for action to be taken as a consequence of study results. Write a brief action plan statement in the spaces below for each Part in which action is required.Part 1: MissionPart 2: ProgramPart 3: LeadershipPart 4: Human ResourcesPart 5: Ethics

17. An iterative Cycle…Purpose & scope of study is definedSelf-study team is created and trainedEvaluative evidence is collectedDetermine how well Standards are metAppropriate actions are recognizedAction plan is developed and approvedPlan is communicated and enactedRepeat (i.e., step 1 = check if improvement achieved)

18. Participant OutcomesIn order to be able to conduct a CAS self-review, 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/evidenceUse data to evaluate compliance with standards & guidelines Document and present the results of the review