The Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP)

SACS Principles of Accreditation

Integrity

Quality Enhancement

Quality Enhancement

“The concept of quality enhancement is at the heart of the Commission’s philosophy of accreditation; this presumes each member institution to be engaged in an ongoing program of improvement…

SACS – Two Parts

Certificate of Compliance Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP)

Certificate of Compliance

HCC will signify its compliance, partial compliance or non-compliance with the core requirements, comprehensive standards, and federal regulations that SACS requires for accreditation.

SACS Core Requirement 2.12

“Core Requirement 2.12 requires an institution to develop an acceptable Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) and show that the plan is part of an ongoing planning and evaluation process.”

“Engaging the wider academic community, the QEP is based upon a comprehensive and thorough analysis of the effectiveness of the learning environment for supporting student learning and accomplishing the mission of the institution.”

QEP

“An opportunity for the institution to enhance overall institutional quality and effectiveness by focusing on an issue the institution considers important to improving student learning”

QEP

A carefully designed and focused course of action

QEP

Addressing a well-defined topic of issue

QEP

An emphasis on enhancing student learning

QEP

“Student learning may include changes in students’ knowledge, skills, behaviors, and/or values that may be attributable to the collegiate experience.”

QEP Requirements

Broad-based institutional participation in the identification of the topic or issue Careful review of best practices related to the topic or issue Allocation of sufficient resources – human and financial – to develop, implement and sustain the plan

QEP Requirements

Implementation strategies that include a clear timeline and assignment of responsibilities A structure established for evaluating the extent to which the goals set for the plan are attained

SACS Core Requirement 2.12

The institution has developed an acceptable Quality Enhancement Plan and demonstrates that the plan is part of an ongoing planning and evaluation process

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QEP Topics

FCCJ – – Increase the fall-to-fall retention rate of our college preparatory students; – Increase the success rates of college preparatory students; and, – Increase the program completion rate of college preparatory students.

QEP Topics

USF - Development of an undergraduate research program within the General Education Curriculum Richland College – Assessment of student outcomes Central Texas – Creating a culture that enhances student learning

QEP Topics

LSU Enhancing Students’ Academic Experiences through Scholarly and Creative Activity LSU at Shreveport “enhancing student learning by improving advising.”

QEP Topics

Guilford Tech. CC enhancing students’ employability skills University of Alabama – active and collaborative learning in 1 st year classes

Your role

For HCC to retain its SACS accreditation, your input into the development of the QEP and your knowledge of the chosen QEP are essential!