Higher Learning Commission (North Central Association)

1. Higher Learning Commission (North Central Association) Comparison/Evaluation of AQIP and PEAQ Michelle Johnston

2. Accreditation • Higher Learning Commission (North Central Association)—one of six regional associations

3. Two Types Program to Evaluate and Advance Quality (PEAQ) Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP)

4. Characteristics • Voluntary • Self-evaluation (Self-study) • Peer review (eligible and trained peer reviewer, consultant-evaluators) in the specific processes—AQIP and PEAQ • Quality Assurance

5. Accreditation Types • Institutionalized (HLC) - has as guiding principles promotes: • Integrity, • Flexibility, • Openness, and • Excellence. • Specialized-programmatic (NCATE, TEAC, NRPA)

6. Accreditation as a Learning Experience • Learning experience for all; • All university participants learn; and • Consultant-evaluators learn.

7. PEAQ Criteria • Mission and integrity • Preparing for the future • Student learning and effective teaching • Acquisition, Discovery, and Application of knowledge • Engagement and Service

8. PEAQ • Succinctly, the mission is the key element in this form of accreditation. The question needs to be asked: Is there evidence that all components of the institution support the mission?

9. Ferris’ Mission Statement • Ferris State University will be a national leader in providing opportunities for innovative teaching and learning in career-oriented, technological and professional education.

10. AQIP Criteria • Helping students learn • Accomplishing distinctive objectives • Understanding student and stakeholder needs • Valuing People • Leading and communicating • Supporting institutional operations—providing an environment in which learning can thrive

11. AQIP Criteria cont. • Measuring effectiveness • Planning for continuous improvement—vision, planning, strategies, action plans, coordination, alignment of strategies and action plans • Building collaborative relationships to determine how they contribute to accomplishing the mission

12. PEAQ AQIP (launched 1999)

13. PEAQ AQIP (launched 1999)

14. PEAQ AQIP (launched 1999)

15. Flexibility • AQIP has the action and strategy cycles • PEAQ is flexible according to the institutional mission

16. Autonomy • PEAQ is mission-driven while AQIP asks about our stakeholders. Therefore, I think both can allow Ferris State University to be autonomous in its decision making. • AQIP – institution decides on actions and strategy sessions.

17. Sustained Work • AQIP because it is continuous. There are always action cycles and/or strategy cycles in which the institution should be engaged, rather than PEAQ in which there is a 10-year cycle. In some institutions, there are stops and gaps between cycles.

18. Greater Continuity of Effort • Perhaps AQIP because it looks at the stakeholders and the objectives that support the learning of our primary stakeholders (students).

19. Institutional Culture • Ferris State University is familiar with the PEAQ process. It would take professional development to for all (faculty, staff, administrators, etc.) to make the change. However, Ferris State University does support professional learning which is AQIP.

20. Goal Setting and Planning • Procedures; Both

21. Convenience • Probably PEAQ, but AQIP would engage more people and sustain the improvement.

22. Gain More Knowledge • AQIP because there is continuous work and data analysis.

23. Positive Improvement • AQIP because of the action and strategy cycles • AQIP really needs someone to oversee all of the cycles

24. Summary – Closing Thoughts • What do you think?