Armstrong’s QEPQuality Enhancement Plan

QEP Steering Committee

• Nancy Remler, Chair– John Kraft, Andy Clark, Marilyn

O’Mallon, Bob LeFavi, Mario Incorvaia, Lynn Long

• Charged with – Soliciting QEP proposals– Recommending QEP proposals to

Armstrong’s SACS Executive Committee

What are QEPs?• QEP: a carefully designed

course of action that addresses a well-defined and focused topic related to enhancing student learning.– Student learning can be changes

in knowledge, skills, behaviors, and values. • Student learning outcomes • Student learning environment

Why do a QEP?• The QEP is required of us for reaffirmation of

accreditation:Core Requirement 2.12The institution has developed an acceptable Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) that includes an institutional process for identifying key issues emerging from institutional assessment and focuses on learning outcomes and/or the environment supporting student learning and accomplishing the mission of the institution.

Comprehensive Standards 3.3.2The institution has developed a Quality Enhancement Plan that (1) demonstrates institutional capability for the initiation, implementation, and completion of the QEP; (2) includes broad-based involvement of institutional constituencies in the development and proposed implementation of the QEP; and (3) identifies goals and a plan to assess their achievement.

http://sacscoc.org/pdf/2010principlesofacreditation.pdf

Why do a QEP?• More than a SACS requirement.– This is a chance to do something

great–Many people at Armstrong have

good ideas on how to increase student learning

– The SACS requirement provides the opportunity for someone’s idea to become a gain support and become a reality

Important Qualities of a QEP

• QEPs must specify realistic, measurable student learning outcomes appropriate for their topic.

• Transforming improvements in student learning

• Broad-based institutional participation• Review of research and best practices on

topic• Adequate resources to develop, implement,

and sustain QEP at our university• Clear timeline and assignment of tasks • A structure established for evaluating the

goals set for the plan are attained.

QEP Proposal Process• Step 1 – Brief initial proposal– ~1600 characters or ~1 page– Monday, February 21st

• Step 2 – Participate in forum– Receive and incorporate

feedback– Friday, March 4th

• Step 3 – Developed proposal –~ 5 pages– Monday, April 4th

Brief initial proposal• Submit via Armstrong’s QEP

web site– http://www.armstrong.edu/Departments/quality_enhancement/qep_

welcome

• Basic Information– Contact Information, Title of Proposal

• Four sections– Describe a need, preferably based on

research or data– Methods of the quality enhancement plan– Expected outcomes– Potential assessment

QEP Proposal Resources• Explore Armstrong’s QEP web

page• http://www.armstrong.edu/Departments/quality_enhancement/qep_r

esources

• SACS resources on QEPS– SACS QEP Handbook – SACS Principles of Accreditation– Executive Summaries of QEPs - 2007 Reaffirmation

Class– Executive Summaries of QEPs - 2008 Reaffirmation

Class– Executive Summaries of QEP - 2009 Reaffirmation

Class

• Resources on Institutional Effectiveness– Armstrong’s Institutional Research– Armstrong’s Strategic Planning and Resource Council

After a QEP is selected• A new committee shall be

formed – Research– Development of QEP–Writing 75 -100 page document–Work with Armstrong’s SACS team

to achieve reaffirmation of accreditation

Examples of Successful QEPs

– Valdosta State University• Undergraduate Engagement in Discipline-

Based Inquiry• http://www.valdosta.edu/sacs/qep/

– North Georgia College & State University• Information Literacy• http://www.northgeorgia.edu/IL/

– University of Houston• Discovery-Based Learning: Transforming the

Undergraduate Experience through Research

• http://www.uh.edu/discovery/QEP_Report.html

For More Information:• AASU’s QEP Welcome Page

http://www.armstrong.edu/Departments/quality_enhancement/qep_welcome

• AASU’s QEP Resource Pagehttp://www.armstrong.edu/Departments/quality_enhancement/qep_resources

Questions?