Understanding AQIPUnderstanding AQIP(Academic Quality Improvement Project)(Academic Quality Improvement Project)

Some slides and/or information have been Some slides and/or information have been borrowed with permission from their borrowed with permission from their originators:originators:

1. JoAnn Simser 1. JoAnn Simser Office of the Chancellor, Office of the Chancellor,

Minnesota State Colleges and UniversitiesMinnesota State Colleges and Universities

2. Higher Learning Commission (HLC)2. Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

PEAQ & AQIPPEAQ & AQIPThe HLC offers two programs

for achieving continuedcontinued accreditation.

Program to Evaluate & Advance Quality

AQIP

AQIP or PEAQ?AQIP or PEAQ?An Institutional ChoiceAn Institutional Choice

Reasons for AQIPReasons for AQIPInstitutional:Institutional: Culture for changeCulture for change Strategic planning initiativesStrategic planning initiatives Alignment with Accrediting Alignment with Accrediting

BodiesBodies Credibility outside educationCredibility outside education Involvement with quality Involvement with quality

initiativesinitiatives Leadership in EducationLeadership in Education

Reasons for PEAQReasons for PEAQ Initial accreditationInitial accreditation

(less than 2 cycles)(less than 2 cycles)

ProbationProbation

Institutional:Institutional: Traditional credibilityTraditional credibility Cultural Cultural Lack of buy-inLack of buy-in Financial resourcesFinancial resources Governance changeGovernance change Leadership changeLeadership change MissionMission

PEAQPEAQPreparing

for the Future

Student Learning & Effective Teaching

Acquisition, Discovery, &

Application of Knowledge

Mission &Integrity

Engagement &

Service

Future-oriented

Learning-focused

Co

nn

ecte

d Distin

ctive

AQIPAQIP

10 Principles of HighPerformance Oraganizations +

9 AQIP Categories:

AQIP AQIP Continuous Improvement ProcessContinuous Improvement Process

Focuses on ResultsFocuses on Results – Not procedures or – Not procedures or organizational structureorganizational structure

Goal OrientedGoal Oriented – Encourages flexible – Encourages flexible approachesapproaches

Common VisionCommon Vision – Fosters understanding – Fosters understanding and communicationsand communications

Aligns all ResourcesAligns all Resources – Supports – Supports innovation & diversityinnovation & diversity

Step #1 Explore the AQIP OptionStep #1 Explore the AQIP Option

Learn about AQIP, continuous Learn about AQIP, continuous improvement, and the Malcolm improvement, and the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality AwardBaldrige National Quality Award

Visit Visit www.aqip.orgwww.aqip.org

Talk to (or email) an AQIP staff personTalk to (or email) an AQIP staff person

Talk to (or email) an AQIP institutionTalk to (or email) an AQIP institution

Hold campus discussions about AQIPHold campus discussions about AQIP

Step #2 The Application ProcessStep #2 The Application Process

Hold a phone conference with Steve Hold a phone conference with Steve SpangehlSpangehl

Conduct an organizational self-Conduct an organizational self-assessmentassessment

AQIP has two instruments (Vital AQIP has two instruments (Vital Focus and AQIP Examiner)Focus and AQIP Examiner)

Complete a formal applicationComplete a formal application

After Joining AQIPAfter Joining AQIP

Attend a Strategy Forum within one year Attend a Strategy Forum within one year of acceptance. of acceptance.

Choose three or four Actions Projects Choose three or four Actions Projects to completeto complete

Learn how to prepare a Systems Learn how to prepare a Systems Portfolio (due 4 yrs. after admission)Portfolio (due 4 yrs. after admission)

The cycle repeats itself every 4 yearsThe cycle repeats itself every 4 years

A sample Systems

Portfolio is on-line at

www.AQIP.org, plus links to 20 actual Systems

Portfolios

The Systems Portfolio is a 75-100 page public document describing fundamental

institutional processes and systems.

The Results We Get

How We Do ThingsHow We

DriveImprovement

It covers the nine AQIP

Categories and provides

evidence that the institution continues to

meet the HLC’s five Criteria for Accreditation

Created once over the first

four years with AQIP, it is

continually updated to

reflect changes in the

institution's systems and processes.

Systems AppraisalSystems Appraisal

Performed every four years by trained and experienced reviewers knowledgeable about quality improvement.

Provides confirmation of strengths and guidance on improvement opportunities.

Separate independent and consensus review stages ensure feedback that represents the team’s shared view of institutional strengths and improvement opportunities

1 2

The blind review process The blind review process focuses institutional attention on focuses institutional attention on the feedback itself — rather the feedback itself — rather than the reviewersthan the reviewers

higher higher education, education, enhancing enhancing the the review’s review’s credibility.credibility.

The appraisal panel includes representation from outside

The valuable professional The valuable professional feedback report includes:feedback report includes: Summary rubrics (for public Summary rubrics (for public

information)information)

Confidential, detailed, actionable Confidential, detailed, actionable comments and explanations (for comments and explanations (for institutional benefit and institutional benefit and improvement)improvement)

Quality Checkup Site Visit

Two or more evaluators for two or more days on campus

Evaluators read Systems Appraisal Feedback Report , HLC’s internal Organizational Profile, and an institution report to AQIP

Normally occurs in the three year period prior to an organization’s scheduled Reaffirmation of Accreditation (every 7 years).

Quality Checkup Visit GoalsAffirm accuracy of online Systems Portfolio and verify information in the portfolio

Review with leaders Action Projects and strategies to capitalize on strengths and opportunities for improvement

Assure organization’s continued quality improvement commitment

Confirm compliance with accreditation expectations and provide counsel on issues that require immediate attention

Review and update the relationship between the institution and the Commission

Q & AQ & A