José Jaime Rivera, Ph.D. President Universidad del Sagrado Corazón San Juan, Puerto Rico MSCHE...

8
José Jaime Rivera, Ph.D. José Jaime Rivera, Ph.D. President President Universidad del Sagrado Universidad del Sagrado Corazón Corazón San Juan, Puerto Rico San Juan, Puerto Rico MSCHE Commissioner MSCHE Commissioner October 4, 2011 October 4, 2011 Workshop for Workshop for Team Chairs and Team Chairs and Evaluators Evaluators Expectations & Accountability in Accreditation

Transcript of José Jaime Rivera, Ph.D. President Universidad del Sagrado Corazón San Juan, Puerto Rico MSCHE...

Page 1: José Jaime Rivera, Ph.D. President Universidad del Sagrado Corazón San Juan, Puerto Rico MSCHE Commissioner October 4, 2011 Workshop for Team Chairs and.

José Jaime Rivera, Ph.D.José Jaime Rivera, Ph.D.PresidentPresident

Universidad del Sagrado CorazónUniversidad del Sagrado CorazónSan Juan, Puerto RicoSan Juan, Puerto RicoMSCHE CommissionerMSCHE Commissioner

October 4, 2011October 4, 2011

Workshop for Workshop for Team Chairs and Evaluators Team Chairs and Evaluators Expectations & Accountability in Accreditation

Page 2: José Jaime Rivera, Ph.D. President Universidad del Sagrado Corazón San Juan, Puerto Rico MSCHE Commissioner October 4, 2011 Workshop for Team Chairs and.

Workshop Goals

This workshop is designed to prepare you to be an effective member of a Middle States evaluation team that recommends appropriate, consistent, rigorous, and defensible accreditation actions to the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

These actions are guided by Standards.

This workshop is designed to prepare you to be an effective member of a Middle States evaluation team that recommends appropriate, consistent, rigorous, and defensible accreditation actions to the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

These actions are guided by Standards.

Page 3: José Jaime Rivera, Ph.D. President Universidad del Sagrado Corazón San Juan, Puerto Rico MSCHE Commissioner October 4, 2011 Workshop for Team Chairs and.

Characteristics of Excellence, 2006

What guided the development of these standards?

1. "First, these standards place an emphasis on institutional assessment and assessment of student learning.” [page v.]

To emphasize assessment as the tool for improvement.

2. “Second, the standards acknowledge the diversity of educational delivery systems that enable institutions to meet accreditation standards.” [page v.]

To recognize and support diversity.

3. “. . . the standards are clearly defined and illustrated, . . .” [page v.]

To provide transparency to the process.

Page 4: José Jaime Rivera, Ph.D. President Universidad del Sagrado Corazón San Juan, Puerto Rico MSCHE Commissioner October 4, 2011 Workshop for Team Chairs and.

Characteristics of Excellence Emphasis on assessment

". . . the Commission is aware of the institutional effort and cultural change that the relative emphasis on assessment may require.” [page v.]

We must understand the key role that the self-study process and the team visit can have to accelerate/recognize that cultural change.

The consequences of a continued postponement of comprehensive, quantitative and qualitative metrics in the assessment of higher education legitimizes and justifies outside intervention in the determination of these metrics.

Page 5: José Jaime Rivera, Ph.D. President Universidad del Sagrado Corazón San Juan, Puerto Rico MSCHE Commissioner October 4, 2011 Workshop for Team Chairs and.

MSCHE Context

". . . a professional association devoted to educational improvement through accreditation.”

“Accreditation is the means of self-regulation and peer review . . . intended to strengthen and sustain quality and integrity in higher education, making it worthy of public confidence and minimizing the scope of external control.” [emphasis added]

“MSA’s accreditation is an expression of confidence in an institution’s mission and goals, its performance, and its resources.” [iv.]

". . . a professional association devoted to educational improvement through accreditation.”

“Accreditation is the means of self-regulation and peer review . . . intended to strengthen and sustain quality and integrity in higher education, making it worthy of public confidence and minimizing the scope of external control.” [emphasis added]

“MSA’s accreditation is an expression of confidence in an institution’s mission and goals, its performance, and its resources.” [iv.]

Page 6: José Jaime Rivera, Ph.D. President Universidad del Sagrado Corazón San Juan, Puerto Rico MSCHE Commissioner October 4, 2011 Workshop for Team Chairs and.

National Context Increasing attention paid to higher education and

accreditation; rising questions about their value Concerns about rising costs and spending for

Federal student aid, together with “low” graduation rates

Misunderstanding about the role of the “peer” in the peer review process

Occasional calls for “one-size-fits-all” metrics that do not respect unique missions [NCLB…]

Page 7: José Jaime Rivera, Ph.D. President Universidad del Sagrado Corazón San Juan, Puerto Rico MSCHE Commissioner October 4, 2011 Workshop for Team Chairs and.

What does CHE expect of Teams & Chairs?

Respect for the Mission/uniqueness of host institution

Recognition of achievements Collegial analysis and Integrity of peer review

process Expertise and Preparation Team reports based firmly on Middle States

Standards and supported by evidence Avoid prescriptive pronouncements Compassionate Rigor

Page 8: José Jaime Rivera, Ph.D. President Universidad del Sagrado Corazón San Juan, Puerto Rico MSCHE Commissioner October 4, 2011 Workshop for Team Chairs and.

What can you expect from the Commission?

Team reports are read carefully and help MSCHE at the next levels of review Committee on Evaluation Reports Commission Meetings

Committee and Commission members [with your support] work to ensure consistent application of Standards across institutions

MSCHE will inform the institution of the final Commission action on reaccreditation