Accreditation & Program Review Flashcards

Which accreditation model emphasizes outcomes assessment over prescriptive input requirements such as library size or classroom square footage?

Answer: Outcomes-based accreditation

Outcomes-based accreditation shifts focus from what resources an institution has to what students actually learn and achieve by the end of a program.

A CPI candidate is helping prepare for a comprehensive program review. Which data source is MOST directly relevant to evaluating program effectiveness?

Answer: Alumni surveys and graduate employment rates

Alumni surveys and graduate employment rates provide direct evidence of whether a program is achieving its intended workforce-preparation outcomes.

What is the significance of 'substantive change' policies in accreditation?

Answer: They require institutions to notify or seek approval from their accreditor when making major changes like adding new programs or campuses

Substantive change policies ensure accreditors are informed when institutions make significant modifications that could affect the quality or nature of the accredited entity.

Which of the following best illustrates 'closing the loop' in program assessment?

Answer: Collecting student performance data, identifying a gap, implementing a curriculum change, and then re-measuring outcomes

Closing the loop means acting on assessment findings and then reassessing to determine whether the intervention actually improved student learning.

Under SACSCOC standards, what is required of institutions regarding the qualifications of faculty teaching undergraduate courses?

Answer: Faculty must hold at least 18 graduate semester hours in the discipline they teach, or demonstrate equivalent competencies

SACSCOC requires that instructors teaching undergraduate courses hold a master's degree with at least 18 graduate hours in the teaching discipline, ensuring subject-matter competence.

Which of the following is a common reason accreditors issue a 'warning' to an institution?

Answer: The institution is not fully meeting one or more standards but has not yet reached the level of serious non-compliance

A warning signals that an accreditor has identified deficiencies requiring attention before the next review, without yet imposing the more serious sanction of probation.

In a program review cycle, what is the function of the 'action plan' phase?

Answer: To specify concrete steps, responsible parties, timelines, and resources for addressing identified program weaknesses

The action plan translates review findings into specific, accountable improvement strategies with measurable goals and assigned responsibilities.