José Jaime Rivera, Ph.D. President Universidad del Sagrado Corazón San Juan, Puerto Rico

1. Workshop for Team Chairs and Evaluators Expectations & Accountability in Accreditation José Jaime Rivera, Ph.D. President Universidad del Sagrado Corazón San Juan, Puerto Rico MSCHE Commissioner October 4, 2011

2. Workshop Goals • This workshop is designed to prepare you to be an effective member of a Middle States evaluation team that recommends appropriate, consistent, rigorous, and defensible accreditation actions to the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. • These actions are guided by Standards.

3. Characteristics of Excellence, 2006What guided the development of these standards? 1. "First, these standards place an emphasis on institutionalassessmentand assessment of student learning.” [page v.] To emphasize assessment as the tool for improvement. 2. “Second, the standards acknowledge the diversity of educational delivery systems that enable institutions to meet accreditation standards.” [page v.] To recognize and support diversity. 3. “. . . the standards are clearly defined and illustrated, . . .” [page v.] To provide transparency to the process.

4. Characteristics of ExcellenceEmphasis on assessment ". . . the Commission is aware of the institutional effort and cultural change that the relative emphasis on assessment may require.” [page v.] We must understand the key role that the self-study process and the team visit can have to accelerate/recognize that cultural change. The consequences of a continued postponement of comprehensive, quantitative and qualitative metrics in the assessment of higher education legitimizes and justifies outside intervention in the determination of these metrics.

5. MSCHEContext ". . . a professional association devoted to educational improvement through accreditation.” “Accreditation is the means of self-regulation and peer review . . . intended to strengthen and sustain quality and integrity in higher education, making it worthy of public confidence and minimizing the scope of external control.” [emphasis added] “MSA’s accreditation is an expression of confidence in an institution’s mission and goals, its performance, and its resources.” [iv.]

6. National Context • Increasing attention paid to higher education and accreditation; rising questions about their value • Concerns about rising costs and spending for Federal student aid, together with “low” graduation rates • Misunderstanding about the role of the “peer” in the peer review process • Occasional calls for “one-size-fits-all” metrics that do not respect unique missions [NCLB…]

7. What does CHE expect of Teams & Chairs? • Respect for the Mission/uniqueness of host institution • Recognition of achievements • Collegial analysis and Integrity of peer review process • Expertise and Preparation • Team reports based firmly on Middle States Standards andsupported by evidence • Avoid prescriptive pronouncements • Compassionate Rigor

8. What can you expect from the Commission? • Team reports are read carefully and help MSCHE at the next levels of review • Committee on Evaluation Reports • Commission Meetings • Committee and Commission members [with your support] work to ensure consistent application of Standards across institutions • MSCHE will inform the institution of the final Commission action on reaccreditation