Presented by Presented by

Dr. Tanmay PramanikDr. Tanmay Pramanik

Overview of On-Site Team Overview of On-Site Team EvaluationEvaluation

Purposes of the Accreditation Purposes of the Accreditation ProcessProcess

To provide a quality educational programTo provide a quality educational program

To assist the institution in the To assist the institution in the improvement of its entire operation by improvement of its entire operation by assessing both strengths and assessing both strengths and weaknessesweaknesses

The Meaning of AccreditationThe Meaning of Accreditation

The institution has met the standards The institution has met the standards and criteria at an acceptable level of and criteria at an acceptable level of compliance and has the prospects of compliance and has the prospects of addressing any identifiable weaknesses addressing any identifiable weaknesses within a reasonable time.within a reasonable time.

The institution has demonstrated that its The institution has demonstrated that its educational program has satisfactory educational program has satisfactory quality.quality.

The Meaning of AccreditationThe Meaning of Accreditation

The institution has demonstrated that it The institution has demonstrated that it has the adequate resources to support has the adequate resources to support the program.the program.

The institution has committed itself to The institution has committed itself to self-improvement and self-enhancement.self-improvement and self-enhancement.

Overview of AccreditationOverview of Accreditation

It is voluntary and non-governmental in It is voluntary and non-governmental in nature.nature.

It is a system of institutional self-It is a system of institutional self-regulation.regulation.– InstitutionalInstitutional means the institution as a whole means the institution as a whole

is considered rather than programs within is considered rather than programs within the institution.the institution.

It is based on peer review.It is based on peer review.

Scope of TRACS AccreditationScope of TRACS Accreditation

TRACS provides accreditation forTRACS provides accreditation for

Bible InstitutesBible Institutes Christian Liberal Arts Colleges/ Christian Liberal Arts Colleges/

UniversitiesUniversities Bible CollegesBible Colleges Graduate SchoolsGraduate Schools SeminariesSeminaries

Scope of TRACS AccreditationScope of TRACS Accreditation

LevelsLevels

CertificatesCertificates DiplomasDiplomas Associate degreesAssociate degrees Bachelor’s degreesBachelor’s degrees Master’s degreesMaster’s degrees Doctoral degreesDoctoral degrees

Levels of ComplianceLevels of Compliance

Basic – candidacy (IERs)Basic – candidacy (IERs)

Substantive compliance – accredited or Substantive compliance – accredited or reaffirmation status (All Standards reaffirmation status (All Standards Apply)Apply)

Four Major Steps in the Four Major Steps in the Accreditation ProcessAccreditation Process

Self-Study and Self-Study ReportSelf-Study and Self-Study Report

On-Site Visit and Evaluation Team ReportOn-Site Visit and Evaluation Team Report

Accreditation Commission ActionAccreditation Commission Action

Follow-upFollow-up

Self-Study and Self-Study Self-Study and Self-Study ReportReport

The institution conducts a self-study and The institution conducts a self-study and prepares a report.prepares a report.

The self-study report addresses the The self-study report addresses the institution’s analysis of the level of institution’s analysis of the level of compliance with each standard.compliance with each standard.

The self-study report is supported with The self-study report is supported with documentation.documentation.

The self-study report becomes the basis for The self-study report becomes the basis for the on-site evaluation team review.the on-site evaluation team review.

Evaluation TeamEvaluation Team

Team members are selected from a list of Team members are selected from a list of trained individuals and are chosen with trained individuals and are chosen with care.care.

The teams vary in size depending on the The teams vary in size depending on the institution and the type of visit.institution and the type of visit.

The minimum team size is four for a The minimum team size is four for a candidacy visit and five for an candidacy visit and five for an accreditation visit.accreditation visit.

One of the team members is designated as One of the team members is designated as the chair of the team.the chair of the team.

Evaluation TeamEvaluation Team

A TRACS Staff Representative always A TRACS Staff Representative always accompanies the team.accompanies the team.

An attempt is made to match the An attempt is made to match the experiences and credentials of the experiences and credentials of the evaluators with the needs of the evaluators with the needs of the institution.institution.

Basic Purposes of the Basic Purposes of the Evaluation TeamEvaluation Team

To determine if the institution is in To determine if the institution is in compliance with the standards and compliance with the standards and criteriacriteria

To identify areas that need improvementTo identify areas that need improvement To validate the self-studyTo validate the self-study To recommend the institution’s To recommend the institution’s

accreditation status to the Accreditation accreditation status to the Accreditation CommissionCommission

Team PreparationTeam Preparation

Read Read AllAll TRACS Manuals TRACS Manuals Policies and ProceduresPolicies and Procedures Accreditation ManualAccreditation Manual BenchmarksBenchmarks Visiting Team ManualVisiting Team Manual Visiting Team WorkbookVisiting Team Workbook Visiting Team Evaluation InstrumentsVisiting Team Evaluation Instruments

Team PreparationTeam Preparation

Read the entire self-study, supporting Read the entire self-study, supporting documents, catalog, and other material documents, catalog, and other material submitted by the institution. submitted by the institution.

Analyze the assigned areas in detail.Analyze the assigned areas in detail. Formulate questions, determine Formulate questions, determine

interviews, and determine additional interviews, and determine additional documentation that may need to be documentation that may need to be reviewed.reviewed.

Team PreparationTeam Preparation

Prepare a draft copy of your report prior Prepare a draft copy of your report prior to the visit including preliminary to the visit including preliminary recommendations. recommendations.

Be prepared to discuss your preliminary Be prepared to discuss your preliminary findings with the team at the team findings with the team at the team meetings.meetings.

The ChairThe Chair

The Chair contacts the team and the The Chair contacts the team and the institution to prepare for the visit.institution to prepare for the visit.

Sometimes, the Chair makes a Sometimes, the Chair makes a preliminary visit to the institution.preliminary visit to the institution.

The Chair coordinates the visit and The Chair coordinates the visit and provides support for each team member.provides support for each team member.

The Chair convenes the team meetings.The Chair convenes the team meetings.

The ChairThe Chair

The Chair provides basic information to The Chair provides basic information to the institution in preparation for the visit.the institution in preparation for the visit.

All communication from the team is All communication from the team is conducted through the Chair.conducted through the Chair.

The Site VisitThe Site Visit

The evaluation team composed of The evaluation team composed of professional educators evaluatesprofessional educators evaluates– The institution according to its missionThe institution according to its mission– The self-study reportThe self-study report

The site visit or The site visit or evaluation team visitevaluation team visit is a is a major component of the review.major component of the review.

A typical visit usually lasts four days.A typical visit usually lasts four days.

The Site VisitThe Site Visit

The team arrives the afternoon of the The team arrives the afternoon of the first day in time to complete a team first day in time to complete a team orientation in the afternoon.orientation in the afternoon.

The team provides a list of people to be The team provides a list of people to be interviewed to the chair at the orientation interviewed to the chair at the orientation meeting in the afternoon.meeting in the afternoon.

A dinner or reception is held on the first A dinner or reception is held on the first evening with the key administrators of evening with the key administrators of the institution.the institution.

The Site VisitThe Site Visit

The second and third days are dedicated The second and third days are dedicated to interviews, meetings, and review of to interviews, meetings, and review of documentation.documentation.

An evaluation team report is written by An evaluation team report is written by the team, and submitted to the the team, and submitted to the Accreditation Commission.Accreditation Commission.

An exit interview is held on the fourth An exit interview is held on the fourth day.day.

The Site VisitThe Site Visit

A draft copy of the team report with A draft copy of the team report with commendations, recommendations, and commendations, recommendations, and suggestions are left with the institution suggestions are left with the institution for action and response.for action and response.

The team makes a confidential The team makes a confidential recommendation to the Accreditation recommendation to the Accreditation Commission on the status sought.Commission on the status sought.

General Duties of the TeamGeneral Duties of the Team

Ask questionsAsk questions Visit classesVisit classes InterviewInterview Conduct open meetingsConduct open meetings Take extensive notesTake extensive notes Share findings with other team membersShare findings with other team members Make Recommendations and Suggestions for Make Recommendations and Suggestions for

institutional improvement or compliance.institutional improvement or compliance. Expand and correct sections of the team reportExpand and correct sections of the team report

- Reality -- Reality -

THE TEAM IS A VERY BUSY GROUP FOR THE TEAM IS A VERY BUSY GROUP FOR THE ENTIRE FOUR DAY PERIOD!!!!!THE ENTIRE FOUR DAY PERIOD!!!!!

A Typical Team Assignment A Typical Team Assignment Roster for a Candidacy VisitRoster for a Candidacy Visit

StandardsStandards

Biblical FoundationsBiblical Foundations Purpose and ObjectivesPurpose and Objectives Philosophy of EducationPhilosophy of Education Ethical Values and StandardsEthical Values and Standards Instructional SupportInstructional Support

A Typical Team Assignment A Typical Team Assignment Roster for a Candidacy Visit Roster for a Candidacy Visit

(Cont.)(Cont.)StandardsStandards

Undergraduate EducationUndergraduate Education Graduate EducationGraduate Education Undergraduate FacultyUndergraduate Faculty Graduate FacultyGraduate Faculty Distance EducationDistance Education Student ServicesStudent Services

A Typical Team Assignment A Typical Team Assignment Roster for a Candidacy Visit Roster for a Candidacy Visit

(Cont.)(Cont.)StandardsStandards The Governing BoardThe Governing Board The AdministrationThe Administration Support StaffSupport Staff Institutional AdvancementInstitutional Advancement Institutional EffectivenessInstitutional Effectiveness

A Typical Team Assignment A Typical Team Assignment Roster for a Candidacy Visit Roster for a Candidacy Visit

(Cont.)(Cont.)

StandardsStandards PublicationsPublications Policies Policies Financial OperationsFinancial Operations Health and SecurityHealth and Security Facilities and EquipmentFacilities and Equipment

For an accreditation visit, a team member for For an accreditation visit, a team member for institutional effectiveness is added.institutional effectiveness is added.

Accreditation Commission ActionAccreditation Commission Action The Accreditation Commission reviewsThe Accreditation Commission reviews

– The self-study reportThe self-study report– The evaluation team reportThe evaluation team report– The response submitted by the institution to the The response submitted by the institution to the

team reportteam report– The Staff recommendationThe Staff recommendation– The Commission Readers’ recommendationThe Commission Readers’ recommendation

The institution is invited to have The institution is invited to have representative(s) present for the Accreditation representative(s) present for the Accreditation Commission’s decision-making meetingCommission’s decision-making meeting

The Accreditation Commission makes the final The Accreditation Commission makes the final decision on the accreditation status of the decision on the accreditation status of the institutioninstitution

Follow-upFollow-up

The institution follows-up on team The institution follows-up on team recommendations and/or Accreditation recommendations and/or Accreditation Commission conditions.Commission conditions.

A Progress Report is prepared and A Progress Report is prepared and presented to the TRACS Office .presented to the TRACS Office .

Things You Might Want to Things You Might Want to KnowKnow

The institution arranges for airport and The institution arranges for airport and on-site transportation, lodging, and on-site transportation, lodging, and meals.meals.

The institution provides a separate The institution provides a separate hotel/motel room for each team member.hotel/motel room for each team member.

A work room is provided at the hotel as A work room is provided at the hotel as well as a documents’ room that can be well as a documents’ room that can be used as a team room at the institution.used as a team room at the institution.

Things You Might Want to Things You Might Want to KnowKnow

A computer is provided by the A computer is provided by the institution.institution.

A typist may also be provided.A typist may also be provided. You may wish to bring your own You may wish to bring your own

computer.computer.

TRACS Office ResponsibilitiesTRACS Office Responsibilities

Make the team assignmentsMake the team assignments Provide a roster and team itinerary to all Provide a roster and team itinerary to all

parties involvedparties involved Make the team travel arrangementsMake the team travel arrangements Provide a packet of information to the Provide a packet of information to the

team that contains forms, etc.team that contains forms, etc.

““Not All Standards Are Created Not All Standards Are Created Equal”Equal”

Foundational StandardsFoundational Standards

Biblical FoundationsBiblical Foundations

Purpose and ObjectivesPurpose and Objectives

Philosophy of EducationPhilosophy of Education

Ethical Values and StandardsEthical Values and Standards

Uniqueness of Foundational Uniqueness of Foundational StandardsStandards

The foundational standards distinguish The foundational standards distinguish TRACS from most accrediting agencies.TRACS from most accrediting agencies.

Operational StandardsOperational Standards

The Organizational Structure – GovernanceThe Organizational Structure – Governance Publications and PoliciesPublications and Policies Educational ProgramEducational Program FacultyFaculty Student ServicesStudent Services Financial OperationsFinancial Operations

Operational StandardsOperational Standards

Institutional AdvancementInstitutional Advancement

Institutional EffectivenessInstitutional Effectiveness

Library and Learning ResourcesLibrary and Learning Resources

Facilities and EquipmentFacilities and Equipment

Health and SecurityHealth and Security

““The Fab Five” which is now The Fab Five” which is now the “Incredible Seven”the “Incredible Seven”

Governance (Board) and Administration Governance (Board) and Administration (Leadership Team)(Leadership Team)

Academic ProgramsAcademic Programs FacultyFaculty StudentsStudents Library and Learning ResourcesLibrary and Learning Resources FinancesFinances Planning and AssessmentPlanning and Assessment

““Writing the Team Report”Writing the Team Report”

Suggestions concerning Suggestions concerning writing the team reportwriting the team report

All recommendations must be supported All recommendations must be supported in the narrative preceding the in the narrative preceding the recommendation (s).recommendation (s).

No first or last names are to be used.No first or last names are to be used. Combine recommendations where Combine recommendations where

possible. Do not duplicate.possible. Do not duplicate. Use the Benchmarks in writing the team Use the Benchmarks in writing the team

report.report.

Suggestions continuedSuggestions continued

Discuss with other peer evaluators at Discuss with other peer evaluators at regular chair called meetings your regular chair called meetings your findings prior to finalizing your report.findings prior to finalizing your report.

Begin each recommendation, Begin each recommendation, suggestion, and commendation with suggestion, and commendation with “The Visiting Team…..”“The Visiting Team…..”

Recommendations should be based Recommendations should be based solely on non-compliance with a solely on non-compliance with a standard(s).standard(s).

Suggestions continuedSuggestions continued Each recommendation must be criterion-Each recommendation must be criterion-

referenced.referenced. Suggestions reflect a professional view Suggestions reflect a professional view

and are not based on a standard (s).and are not based on a standard (s). The team report in total must be The team report in total must be

discussed by the entire team, led by the discussed by the entire team, led by the chair, prior to finalization. All chair, prior to finalization. All recommendations, suggestions, and recommendations, suggestions, and commendations must be read aloud by commendations must be read aloud by the evaluator giving them.the evaluator giving them.

Let’s move ahead!Let’s move ahead! The team report must represent a true “snap The team report must represent a true “snap

shot” of the institution at the time of the shot” of the institution at the time of the visit.visit.

Don’t deal with future promises.Don’t deal with future promises. The team report must validate the self-The team report must validate the self-

study.study. The team report must be supported by The team report must be supported by

interviews with faculty, administration, staff, interviews with faculty, administration, staff, board, students, academic alumni, and board, students, academic alumni, and significant others of the institution’s significant others of the institution’s community.community.

We’re just about finished!We’re just about finished!

The team report must represent the The team report must represent the evaluation team’s assessment of the evaluation team’s assessment of the institution’s compliance/non-compliance institution’s compliance/non-compliance with the TRACS Standards and Criteria.with the TRACS Standards and Criteria.

SummarySummary Each major criteria category (e.g., Each major criteria category (e.g.,

undergraduate faculty) should be undergraduate faculty) should be followed with narrative which describes followed with narrative which describes what actually exists in light of the what actually exists in light of the individual criteria statement.individual criteria statement.

After the narrative, include the After the narrative, include the commendations, recommendations, and commendations, recommendations, and suggestions for that section.suggestions for that section.

The recommendation(s) must contain the The recommendation(s) must contain the number of the standard that is in non-number of the standard that is in non-compliance at the end of the statement in compliance at the end of the statement in parenthesis.parenthesis.

SummarySummary

Be prepared!Be prepared! Be objective!!Be objective!!