The BYU Idaho Self-Study

The BYU Idaho Self-StudyThe BYU Idaho Self-Study

Overall CharacteristicsOverall Characteristics200 page maximum200 page maximumAbundant use of graphical displaysAbundant use of graphical displaysThoroughly proofreadThoroughly proofreadA comprehensive indexA comprehensive indexUniform voiceUniform voiceLiberal references to external documentsLiberal references to external documents

Document LayoutDocument Layout Style guideStyle guide 2 columns2 columns Serif fontSerif font White spaceWhite space Section numberingSection numbering

(Make it easy for readers(Make it easy for readersto access and use the document)to access and use the document)


Organizational StructureOrganizational Structure Mapped to standards at highest levelMapped to standards at highest level OrganizationOrganization

Description (methods, evidence)Description (methods, evidence)Analysis & AppraisalAnalysis & Appraisal

» Conclusions (strengths, weaknesses)Conclusions (strengths, weaknesses)

» Actions (solutions, plans)Actions (solutions, plans)


Instructions to Working GroupsInstructions to Working Groups1. Keep things simple 1. Keep things simple 2.2. Back up what you sayBack up what you say3.3. Think structure, process, and outcomeThink structure, process, and outcome4.4. Find meaningful comparisonsFind meaningful comparisons5.5. Seek multiple perspectivesSeek multiple perspectives6.6. Be improvement mindedBe improvement minded7.7. No surprisesNo surprises8.8. Follow the content guidelinesFollow the content guidelines


SELF STUDY

Unit Self

Studies

Studies&

Reports

Exhibits&

Docs


PROCESS & INPUT

DESCRIPTIONS

ANECDOTES & WAR STORIES

REPUTATIONFEELING & IMPRESSIONS

1. Follow an overall structure such as:1. Follow an overall structure such as:Description (20%)Description (20%)Analysis and appraisal (50%)Analysis and appraisal (50%)Action (30%)Action (30%)


2. Foster analysis and action through use of 2. Foster analysis and action through use of templates and specific guidelines.templates and specific guidelines.

Sample unit self-study templateSample unit self-study templateCentral aims (1 page)Central aims (1 page)Description of unit (1-2 pages)Description of unit (1-2 pages)Significant changes (1-2 pages)Significant changes (1-2 pages)Analysis and appraisal (8-10 pages)Analysis and appraisal (8-10 pages)


3.3. Pose questions that require analysis and conclusions Pose questions that require analysis and conclusions rather than description. Ask for evidence.rather than description. Ask for evidence.

Sample questionsSample questions To what extent is your unit meeting accreditation To what extent is your unit meeting accreditation

standards?standards? To what extent is your unit accomplishing its stated To what extent is your unit accomplishing its stated

central aims? central aims? What is the quality of your students and their What is the quality of your students and their

achievement? achievement? What do you consider to be the major strengths and What do you consider to be the major strengths and

weaknesses of your department?weaknesses of your department?


4.4. Find meaningful comparisons. Find meaningful comparisons.

Evaluation usually implies comparison with Evaluation usually implies comparison with something. Do your best to tie your data to some something. Do your best to tie your data to some comparative anchor such as (a) purposes and comparative anchor such as (a) purposes and desired outcomes, (b) past performance levels, (c) desired outcomes, (b) past performance levels, (c) established benchmarks/standards, (d) how well established benchmarks/standards, (d) how well other departments in this or other peer institutions other departments in this or other peer institutions are doing, or (e) standardized tests.are doing, or (e) standardized tests.


5.5. As for specific actions taken to address As for specific actions taken to address weaknesses and describe the improvement weaknesses and describe the improvement (or not) that resulted.(or not) that resulted.

6.6. Tell your story by weaving all of these Tell your story by weaving all of these data, pieces of evidence, conclusions, and data, pieces of evidence, conclusions, and actions into a coherent statement that actions into a coherent statement that clearly shows who you are.clearly shows who you are.


Standard 3.B.1Standard 3.B.1

““The institution systematically identifies The institution systematically identifies the characteristics of its student population the characteristics of its student population and students’ learning and special needs. and students’ learning and special needs. The institution makes provision for meeting The institution makes provision for meeting those identified needs, emphasizing those identified needs, emphasizing students’ achievement of their educational students’ achievement of their educational goalsgoals.”.”

-- Handbook, p. 51-- Handbook, p. 51


The original submissionThe original submissionDuring the annual Stewardship Review process, departments During the annual Stewardship Review process, departments assess their ability to meet the needs of students as well as achieve assess their ability to meet the needs of students as well as achieve their departmental mission and objectives, through the use of their departmental mission and objectives, through the use of several assessment techniques. Most of these assessment tools several assessment techniques. Most of these assessment tools take the form of student surveys, student focus groups, and take the form of student surveys, student focus groups, and individual student interviews. The purpose of this exercise is to individual student interviews. The purpose of this exercise is to identify the needs of students and ways in which the department identify the needs of students and ways in which the department can change to better meet those needs. The appropriate data is can change to better meet those needs. The appropriate data is shared with respective university departments. Based on shared with respective university departments. Based on departmental and institutional data, changes are made in the departmental and institutional data, changes are made in the departmental objectives, policies, procedures, and processes and departmental objectives, policies, procedures, and processes and documented through the annual Stewardship Review process.documented through the annual Stewardship Review process.


The rewrite: How what we do leads to action and The rewrite: How what we do leads to action and improvementimprovement

We continually monitor changing demographics We continually monitor changing demographics and this has led to new initiatives for our:and this has led to new initiatives for our: Summer students (enhanced summer programs)Summer students (enhanced summer programs) Upper division students (changed curfew)Upper division students (changed curfew) Married students (new housing)Married students (new housing)

We conduct annual stewardship reviews to help We conduct annual stewardship reviews to help us act on the assessment of student satisfaction.us act on the assessment of student satisfaction. Available computers in libraryAvailable computers in library Enhancement of advisingEnhancement of advising


Data Collection Data Collection

““Mountains of data that never get Mountains of data that never get digested or used to improve programs digested or used to improve programs represent a monumental waste of represent a monumental waste of faculty/staff energy and good will.”faculty/staff energy and good will.”

Task Force on Assessment, Willamette U.Task Force on Assessment, Willamette U.

Data analysis/synthesisData analysis/synthesis

3. Establish benchmarks3. Establish benchmarks

What are your criteria for success?

Good Luck & God BlessGood Luck & God Bless


Documents

The BYU Idaho Self-Study