Professional Development  

Upcoming Events
Annual Conferences
Special Seminars
Regional Conferences
Other Professional Meetings 
Modules
UCEA Awards Programs

2007 Annual Conference 

Note: If your browser is experiencing difficulty opening PDF files, please click the browser's "refresh" button to view the PDF file

At-a-Glance
Speaker Highlights
Registration Form (PDF)
Hotel Information
Please note that as of April 6, 2007, new registrations and purchases of additional tickets can only be made on site.

Preconferences
Deans Institute
Ed Technologies
Int'l Symposium
Civic Engagement/
Liberal Learning
Assessment

Conference
Wednesday, 4/11 (PDF)
Thursday, 4/12 (PDF)
Friday, 4/13 (PDF)
Saturday, 4/14 (PDF)

Conference Tracks

Vancouver Info

Entire Program (PDF)

Exhibits
List of Exhibitors
Exhibit Prospectus (PDF)

Conference Home Page

UCEA 92nd Annual Conference

Preconference Workshop

Assessment

Assessment of Student Learning and Regional Accreditation: Partners in Response

Download this page as a PDF file here.

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

Preconference Chair: EMILY RICHARDSON, Widener University

The recent release of the Spellings Commission Report on the Future of Higher Education calls upon institutions of higher education to be accountable for student learning. Yet, during the past few years, all of the regional accreditation agencies have had an increased focus on "outcomes." This half-day event will provide all continuing education professionals an opportunity to understand how regional accreditation is not only holding colleges and universities accountable, but also how peer institutions are meeting this new challenge of measuring student learning outcomes.

1:15–2:15 p.m.

Institutional Accountability—Accreditation as a Force for Quality or in Need of Change?

Presenter: STEVEN CROW, Executive Director, The Higher Learning Commission

The Spellings Commission report tended to blur the lines between institutional accountability and accreditation. The Commission recommended the establishment of an easily accessible accreditation framework and reporting system that would allow comparisons of student learning outcomes among institutions nationally. Also, accreditation agencies were faulted for recommending that institutions hire additional staff rather than promote efficiencies in the face of rising tuition fees. Crow will discuss accreditation's decade-long focus on student learning outcomes, why the one-size-fits-all approach to college performance is problematic, the type of conflict that can emerge when cultures of evidence diverge, and the need for higher education institutions to better connect with the public and its needs.

2:15–2:30 p.m. BREAK

2:30–3:15 p.m.

Assessing Student Learning Outcomes: Measuring Progress and Making it Meaningful for Accreditation and Beyond

Presenter: BRIGITTE VALESEY, Assistant Provost for Assessment of Student Learning, Widener University

This session will respond to questions concerning assessment of student learning outcomes for accreditation: what types of data, how much data, how often do we collect data, and how do we use the data effectively? This session will explore ways that accreditation relies on evidence from an ongoing cycle for assessment that ensures systematic collection and use of data. Suggestions will follow for making assessment processes manageable and meaningful to your continuing education program.

3:15–4:30 p.m.

Preparing for an Accreditation Visit: Learning from the Recent Experiences of Your
Continuing Education Colleagues

This panel will discuss how the assessment of student learning outcomes has played a key role in recent accreditation visits, regardless of the type of programming and/or the area of the country.

Facilitator: EMILY RICHARDSON, Dean, Widener University

Panelists

SYBIL SMITH, Brandeis University: A Graduate Program Review. The Brandeis Rabb School of Graduate Professional Studies prepared for two years for the decennial visit of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges in November 2006. The focus was on the re-development of courses and the creation of assessments related to desired student outcomes. The programs had not been previously reviewed, and all of the work was done with support of the entire adjunct faculty.

KAREN VIECHNICKI, Capella University: A Continuous Quality Improvement Program Review. Capella University went through an AQIP "check up" in May 2006. AQIP stands for Academic Quality Improvement Program, which focuses on continuous improvement. It is the alternative to the traditional accreditation process that is carried on by the Higher Learning Commission.

CHUCK WIGHT, University of Utah: A State University Review. Learn how a continuing education division in a large state university responsible for distance education, lifelong learning, youth education, professional development and ESL handled an accreditation visit focused on student learning outcomes from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Note: This Preconference Workshop is open to Deans, Directors, and Associate Deans. However, separate registration and fee are required. See registration form.

For more information, contact: Liz Lear, UCEA Conference Director, at llear@upcea.edu, or phone 202.659.3130.