Developing a QEP for SACS 2006

What is the QEP?

Quality Enhancement Plan

Focused plan for improving student learning

5 year monitoring of progress

Identified Weakness

New Initiative

Successful QEP

Broad Campus Involvement

Supported by Research Findings

Effective Methods of Assessment

Supports Vision/Goals of Institution

Improving Student Learning

Identified Weakness

TTU Vision

SACS QEP University Goals

Unit Goals

TBR Goals

Overview of Strategic Planning

QEP Development ProcessTopic Generation

Phase ITopic Generation

Phase IITopic Selection

Phase ITopic Selection

Phase II

Campus Units

Enter Strategic Goals/action Plans for

QEP Topics

Ana

lysis of

Ca

mp

us InputIdentify Weaknesses

Identify TopicsIdentify Strategies

QEP Committee Focus Groups

SGAFaculty SenateDeans’ CouncilSteering Committee

QEP Committee Task

Identify possible areas for improvement in student learning That are related to “life-long success” That are assessed and appear to be weaknesses That would generate broad campus interest

Identify possible strategies for each focus area

Narrowing the Focus

VisionLife-long Success

Student Learning

Measurable Weakness

SACSTTU

Evidence for Weaknesses

Teaching Evaluations - Objectives Selected

Teaching Evaluations - Progress Ratings

Employer Survey

Enrolled Student Survey

Alumni Survey

Critical Thinking Tests

Employer Survey

Frequency – IDEA objectives selected

Frequency IDEA Objectives are Selected by Instructors (2001-2004)

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

Facts

Princip

les

Applic

atio

n

Profe

ssion

al Skil

ls

Teamwor

k

Creat

ivity

Cultur

al

Comm

unica

tion

Find

& Use

Res

ourc

es

Perso

nal V

alues

Critica

l thi

nking

Self-d

irecte

d le

arning

Objective

% o

f ti

me

sele

cted

Progress on IDEA objectivesTTU Progress on IDEA Objectives (2001-2004)

38.0

40.0

42.0

44.0

46.0

48.0

50.0

52.0

Facts

Princip

les

Applic

atio

n

Profe

ssion

al Skil

ls

Teamwor

k

Creat

ivity

Cultur

al

Comm

unica

tion

Find

& Use

Res

ourc

es

Perso

nal V

alues

Critica

l thi

nking

Self-d

irecte

d le

arning

Objective

Ad

j T S

core

Weakness in Critical Thinking

TTU CAT Test (avg = 53% of total)

ETS Academic Profile (68% of TTU seniors not proficient)

QEP Topics Identified

Improve communication skills

Improve teamwork skills

Improve creative thinking skills

Improve real-world problem solving skills

Improve critical thinking skills

Improve life-long learning skills

Possible Strategies

Use Active Learning Strategies that involveReal-world projects, service learning, coopsOriginal research, role playing, simulations,

case studiesCooperative learning, using information &

technology effectively, alumni mentoring

Focus Group Results

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Fre

qu

ency

Sel

ecte

d

SGA

FS

Modified QEP Topics

Improve critical thinking/real-world problem solving skills through the use of active learning strategies.With emphasis on communication skillsWith emphasis on team work skillsWith emphasis on creative thinking

Associated Benefits

ImprovedCritical Thinking/Problem Solving

Creative Thinking

Communication

Team Work

More Student Engagement &

Higher Student Retention

Improved

Confidence

&

Life-long Success

Active Learning

Assessment Measures to Evaluate Progress

IDEA objective selection

IDEA progress ratings

NSSE (increases in areas selected)

Improved performance on the CAT and another national assessment instrument.

Employer Survey

QEP Assessment Plan

IDEA Objectives

Implementation Indicators

IDEA Progress Ratings

NSSE Ratings

CAT & CT Performance Measures

Employer Surveys

Early Indicators Middle Indicators Late Indicators

Campus Units Enter Goals & Strategies for QEP Topics of Interest using QEP Planning

Database

What is Critical Thinking

Expanded Contemporary Emphasis

R easoning

Evaluate A rgum ents and C onclusions

C om m unication

C reativ ity

Problem Solv ing

Evaluate Ideas and P lans

Life-Long Learning Skills

Evaluate One's U nderstanding

From: Assessing Critical Thinking Skills, COC/SACS 2004 Meeting