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Before we begin, a caution…

Learn about the 4 purposes, 3 qualities, 5 features, and 4 parts of good self-study reports in this informative workshop session.

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Before we begin, a caution…

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  1. 2019 Self-Study Workshop. Session VICharacteristics ofGood Self-Study Reports.Tom TannerATS Commission Staff

  2. Before we begin, a caution… If you’re going to work that hard, do the right car… [humorous 30-second clip about removing snow from a car] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dcNrh8FL3vE ATS Commission on Accrediting: Self-Study Workshop—Session VI

  3. Characteristics of Good Self-Study Reports Five things to remember to do the “right” report: • The 4 purposes of the report • The 3 qualities of the report • The 5 features of good/weak reports • The 4 parts of the report • The 3 last things to remember 3 2 4 1 5 ATS Commission on Accrediting: Self-Study Workshop—Session VI

  4. Characteristics of Good Self-Study Reports [advance alert] Table Talk: Where does our school most need to improve? or What is our biggest challenge over the next few years? ATS Commission on Accrediting: Self-Study Workshop—Session VI

  5. Characteristics of Good Self-Study Reports NOTE: This presentation is on our website (www.ats.edu) ATS Commission on Accrediting: Self-Study Workshop—Session VI

  6. Characteristics of Good Self-Study Reports NOTE: This presentation is on our website (www.ats.edu) ATS Commission on Accrediting: Self-Study Workshop—Session VI

  7. Characteristics of Good Self-Study Reports One more thing: see guidelines in Handbook Tab 5 (page 7) ATS Commission on Accrediting: Self-Study Workshop—Session VI

  8. Characteristics of Good Self-Study Reports Hang on! We’re going for a ride. ATS Commission on Accrediting: Self-Study Workshop—Session VI

  9. Characteristics of Good Self-Study Reports Five things to remember to do the “right” report: • The 4 purposes of the report • The 3 qualities of the report • The 5 features of good/weak reports • The 4 parts of the report • The 3 last things to remember 1 ATS Commission on Accrediting: Self-Study Workshop—Session VI

  10. Characteristics of Good Self-Study Reports • The 4 purposes of the report • Demonstrate ability to analyze institution’s own effectiveness • Develop plans for improvement • Provide evidence of meeting standards • Form basis for external review ATS Commission on Accrediting: Self-Study Workshop—Session VI

  11. Characteristics of Good Self-Study Reports • The 4 purposes of the report • Demonstrate ability to analyze institution’s own effectiveness Good long look in the mirror The mirror has two faces: • School’s own mission • ATS Commission standards ATS Commission on Accrediting: Self-Study Workshop—Session VI

  12. Characteristics of Good Self-Study Reports • The 4 purposes of the report • Develop plans for improvement Report must not only “look around” but “look ahead” Assessment (self-study) should show Table Talk: Where do we need most to improve? (or) What is our biggest challenge next few years? ATS Commission on Accrediting: Self-Study Workshop—Session VI

  13. Characteristics of Good Self-Study Reports • The 4 purposes of the report • Provide evidence of meeting standards Weak report: “Our seminary complies with this standard.” Good report: “Evidence of how our seminary meets this standard may be summarized in these three ways. First,…” ATS Commission on Accrediting: Self-Study Workshop—Session VI

  14. Characteristics of Good Self-Study Reports Committee composition is critical • The 4 purposes of the report • Form basis for external review The self-study report is yourstory… but told to strangers (so don’t assume) who are sympathetic(but objective) so you must present(and persuade) Peer review (ATS just doesn’t understand us  ATS is us) ATS Commission on Accrediting: Self-Study Workshop—Session VI

  15. Characteristics of Good Self-Study Reports Five things to remember to do the “right” report: • The 4 purposes of the report • The 3 qualities of the report • The 5 features of good/weak reports • The 4 parts of the report • The 3 last things to remember 2 ATS Commission on Accrediting: Self-Study Workshop—Session VI

  16. Characteristics of Good Self-Study Reports • The 3 qualities of the report* • Provide sufficient description • Document appropriate evaluation • Identify strategic recommendations * Page 11 of Chapter Two of the Handbook ATS Commission on Accrediting: Self-Study Workshop—Session VI

  17. Characteristics of Good Self-Study Reports • The 3 qualities of the report • Provide sufficient description Weak report:“We have sufficient faculty, and they are all sufficiently qualified.” Goodreport:“We have seven full-time faculty; six have PhD degrees and one has a DMin (see Faculty Credentialsfor detailed list).” ATS Commission on Accrediting: Self-Study Workshop—Session VI

  18. Characteristics of Good Self-Study Reports • The 3 qualities of the report • Provide sufficientdescription Weak report: “Our SLAP efforts have produced significant improvements.” Goodreport:“Our Student Learning Assessment Program (affectionately called SLAP by students) has produced these three improvements in student learning this past year. First,...” ATS Commission on Accrediting: Self-Study Workshop—Session VI

  19. Characteristics of Good Self-Study Reports • The 3 qualities of the report • Provide sufficient description • Document appropriate evaluation • Identify strategic recommendations ATS Commission on Accrediting: Self-Study Workshop—Session VI

  20. Characteristics of Good Self-Study Reports • The 3 qualities of the report • Document appropriate evaluation Weak report:“We try hard not to spend more than we take in.” Goodreport:“The seminary has balanced its budget four of the last five years, as Table 8.6 below demonstrates. The deficit of $74,892 in FY15 represented only a 2.5% overage due to an unexpected need to replace a furnace. We have since established a ‘contingency fund’ for such emergencies, with a line-item budget of $50,000 per year.” ATS Commission on Accrediting: Self-Study Workshop—Session VI

  21. Characteristics of Good Self-Study Reports • The 3 qualities of the report • Provide sufficient description • Document appropriate evaluation • Identify strategic recommendations ATS Commission on Accrediting: Self-Study Workshop—Session VI

  22. Characteristics of Good Self-Study Reports • The 3 qualities of the report • Identify strategic recommendations Weak report:“We know more should be done to address our lack of board diversity, and we are working on that.” Goodreport:“Given our global mission and given that one fourth of our students and staff are minorities, while no one on the board is, our trustees have set a goal of recruiting one new minority trustee each year for the next five years until our board more fairly represents our constituency and our mission. Our first African American trustee will begin her term this fall.” ATS Commission on Accrediting: Self-Study Workshop—Session VI

  23. Characteristics of Good Self-Study Reports Five things to remember to do the “right” report: • The 4 purposes of the report • The 3 qualities of the report • The 5 features of good/weak reports • The 4 parts of the report • The 3 last things to remember 3 ATS Commission on Accrediting: Self-Study Workshop—Session VI

  24. Characteristics of Good Self-Study Reports • The 5 features of good [vs. weak]reports • Are organized coherently • Describe the self-study process • Present the data crucial to understanding • Comprehensive as necessary; brief as possible • Demonstrate objectivity and honesty ATS Commission on Accrediting: Self-Study Workshop—Session VI

  25. Characteristics of Good Self-Study Reports • The 5 features of good/weak reports • Are organized coherently Must be organized by the standards • If joint visit, must have permission and detailed “cross walk” [Joint visits only with NECHE; concurrent, possible with any] Must also have Introduction and Conclusion • Will discuss later under “The 4 parts of the report” ATS Commission on Accrediting: Self-Study Workshop—Session VI

  26. Characteristics of Good Self-Study Reports • The 5 features of good/weak reports • Describe the self-study process Introduction describes process Process engages the community Reflected in report and interviews Caution: Summarize process in 1-2 pages If use people’s names, use titles too ATS Commission on Accrediting: Self-Study Workshop—Session VI

  27. Characteristics of Good Self-Study Reports • The 5 features of good/weak reports • Present the data crucial to understanding Be clear and concise with data Use qualitative and quantitative data Use tables and charts to support narrative Caution: Put extensive data in Documents Room/links But include summary data in text When using links, make easy to use Clearly label each item ATS Commission on Accrediting: Self-Study Workshop—Session VI

  28. Characteristics of Good Self-Study Reports • The 5 features of good/weak reports • Present the data crucial to understanding How many years to cover? ATS Commission on Accrediting: Self-Study Workshop—Session VI

  29. Characteristics of Good Self-Study Reports • The 5 features of good/weak reports • Present the data crucial to understanding Weak report:“Most of our MDiv students are placed.” Goodreport:“Over the last five years our MDiv graduates have averaged a 90% placement rate, with a steady increase each year, as the table below shows.” Benchmarks ATS Commission on Accrediting: Self-Study Workshop—Session VI

  30. Characteristics of Good Self-Study Reports • The 5 features of good/weak reports • Comprehensive as necessary; brief as possible Weak reports: • Missing standards (e.g., Degree Program Standards) • Too few pages: 50 pages won’t cover the standards • Too many pages: 200+ pages overwhelm reviewers • Printed incorrectly: Single-sided/double-spaced reports double the length and the weight (remember your traveling readers) ATS Commission on Accrediting: Self-Study Workshop—Session VI

  31. Characteristics of Good Self-Study Reports • The 5 features of good/weak reports • Comprehensive as necessary; brief as possible Good reports: • 100-150 pages is “ideal range” • 5-10 page Introduction • 75ish pages for General Institutional Standards (1-8) • 15-50 pages for Educational and Degree Program Standards • 5-10 page Conclusion • Don’t overwhelm text with supplemental information • Put lengthy information in appendices or links ATS Commission on Accrediting: Self-Study Workshop—Session VI

  32. Characteristics of Good Self-Study Reports • The 5 features of good/weak reports • Demonstrate objectivity and honesty Weak report:“Morale on campus is much better.” Goodreport: “Three years ago faculty morale hit a low point when a doctrinal controversy led to the dismissal of a popular professor. The seminary followed its procedures (documented in our personnel files), but it was a very difficult time. Since then, the board and administration have worked hard to rebuild unity, with significant success—as noted in the recent faculty survey (see 2018 Faculty Survey, item #8).” ATS Commission on Accrediting: Self-Study Workshop—Session VI

  33. Characteristics of Good Self-Study Reports Five things to remember to do the “right” report: • The 4 purposes of the report • The 3 qualities of the report • The 5 features of good/weak reports • The 4 parts of the report • The 3 last things to remember 4 ATS Commission on Accrediting: Self-Study Workshop—Session VI

  34. Characteristics of Good Self-Study Reports • The 4 parts of the report* • Introduction • Main Narrative • Conclusion • Appendices (do not print; on flash drive only) * Pages 13-14 of Chapter Two of the Handbook Print and PDF on flash drive ATS Commission on Accrediting: Self-Study Workshop—Session VI

  35. Characteristics of Good Self-Study Reports • The 4 parts of the report • Introduction • Main Narrative • Conclusion • Appendices ATS Commission on Accrediting: Self-Study Workshop—Session VI

  36. Characteristics of Good Self-Study Reports • The 4 parts of the report • Introduction(5-10 pages) • Introduce the school (mission/history) • Review accreditation history (since last visit) • Give overview of the self-study process • Identify any special features of the report • Summarize any major changes (since last visit) • Orient readers to any unique school issues Merging? Moving? New curriculum? No students on campus during visit ATS Commission on Accrediting: Self-Study Workshop—Session VI

  37. Characteristics of Good Self-Study Reports • The 4 parts of the report • Main Narrative(90-115 pages) Part 1: General Institutional Standards (75 pp.) Standards 1-8—must cover each one Part 2: Educational and Degree Program Standards (15-40 pp.) Educational Standard—cover only applicable sections Degree Programs Standards—cover only applicable standards NOTE: Can cover assessment under ES.6 or under section 1 of each DPS ATS Commission on Accrediting: Self-Study Workshop—Session VI

  38. Characteristics of Good Self-Study Reports • The 4 parts of the report • Main Narrative(90-115 pages) One suggested structure per chapter (per earlier slide): • brief description of school’s resources for that standard • critical evaluation of school’s alignment with standard • list of strengths of the school in terms of that standard • strategic recommendations to improve in that standard NOTE: If not meeting standard, must describe plans to do so. * Do not need to cover every subsection in every standard: group things. ATS Commission on Accrediting: Self-Study Workshop—Session VI

  39. Characteristics of Good Self-Study Reports Standard 4 Library (as example) Weak Report: Discuss each of 10 subsections Good Report: Discuss each of 3 sections ATS Commission on Accrediting: Self-Study Workshop—Session VI

  40. Characteristics of Good Self-Study Reports • The 4 parts of the report • Conclusion(5-10 pages) • Summarize overall findings of self-study • Organize and prioritize strengths • Organize and prioritize concerns • Organize and prioritize recommendations • Conclude with desired action (optional) ATS Commission on Accrediting: Self-Study Workshop—Session VI

  41. Characteristics of Good Self-Study Reports • The 4 parts of the report 4) Appendix(pp. 16-17 of Chapter Three; bookmarked PDF) • Current organizational chart, showing names and titles • Current strategic plan • Current assessment plan (summarize results in report) • Current budget (if embedded, just unit) + 3/5-year budget plan • Most recent fiscal year audit and management letter • Handbooks: Board, faculty, staff, and student • Academic catalog (include as bookmarked PDF) • Targeted Issues Checklist (see next slide) ATS Commission on Accrediting: Self-Study Workshop—Session VI

  42. Characteristics of Good Self-Study Reports • The 4 parts of the report 4) Appendix:Targeted Issues Checklist Our version of “federal compliance issues” • Part 1 for all schools • Part 2 only for Title IV participants www.ats.edu/accrediting/self-study-and-assessment ATS Commission on Accrediting: Self-Study Workshop—Session VI

  43. Characteristics of Good Self-Study Reports • The 4 parts of the report 4) Appendix vs. Documents Room See list (pp. 17-18 of Chapter Three) of other supporting materials not put in Appendix, but in Documents Room—either physical or virtual (i.e., hot links in narrative of report and/or flash drive) List includes, e.g., syllabi, minutes, faculty CVs, etc. ATS Commission on Accrediting: Self-Study Workshop—Session VI

  44. Characteristics of Good Self-Study Reports Five things to remember to do the “right” report: • The 4 purposes of the report • The 3 qualities of the report • The 5 features of good/weak reports • The 4 parts of the report • The 3 last things to remember 5 ATS Commission on Accrediting: Self-Study Workshop—Session VI

  45. Characteristics of Good Self-Study Reports 5. The 3 last things to remember Tell your story in light of the standards to improve your students and school Where will this journey take you? ATS Commission on Accrediting: Self-Study Workshop—Session VI

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