Ensuring Quality: Reviewing and Enhancing Academic Programs

REVIEWING QUALITY REVIEWING QUALITY ASSURANCE ASSURANCE Prof Donna L. Wiseman Prof Donna L. Wiseman University of Maryland College Park USA University of Maryland College Park USA

What is quality assurance? (Standard 2) The institution: The institution: Monitors, reviews. and evaluates all aspects of its operations and education programs Uses independent academic and professional advice Benchmarks performance Uses the results of evaluations to: Uses the results of evaluations to: Plan, budget, and establish priorities Implement evidence based planning Improves programs and services

Quality Assurance includes: Quality Assurance System Continuous Quality Enhancement Quality Assurance Unit

Quality Assurance System Manual Annex 8: Quality Assurance Manual Implements a system Ensures the integrity, rigor, outcome and management of its educational programs Engages all relevant stakeholders Uses independent academic and professional advisers Compiles an annual summary (Fact Book) Uses results to inform Produces an annual report

Quality Assurance System: What I look for Up-to-date manual Quality assurance system processes are reflected at the college/unit level Evidence the college uses the system to improve their programs Engagement of faculty and staff in quality assurance system

Example of Requirements in response to Quality Assurance System Requirement: [The university] is required to provide a copy of its Quality Assurance Requirement: [The university] is required to provide a copy of its Quality Assurance Manual as per Stipulation, 2.1.1. Manual as per Stipulation, 2.1.1. Requirement: [The university] is required to provide a summary of information Requirement: [The university] is required to provide a summary of information regarding institutional effectiveness (Stipulation, 2.1.5) including documentation regarding institutional effectiveness (Stipulation, 2.1.5) including documentation and and examples of the ways in which programs have been improved as a result of examples of the ways in which programs have been improved as a result of assessment. assessment.

Continuous Quality Enhancement Uses institutional research data to monitor, review, evaluate, and continuously improve Benchmarks quality and performance against best local and international practices Improvements to programs are routinely monitored and evaluated for effectiveness

Continuous Quality Enhancement: What I look for results of routine program reviews program improvements made as the result of reviews external reviewers/examiners involvement results of input and consequent action documentary evidence to the ERT benchmarking exercises

Example of Requirements in response to Continuous Quality Enhancement Requirement: [The university] is required to implement a system where by the results of Requirement: [The university] is required to implement a system where by the results of institutional research are used to modify and improve programs, resources, and services institutional research are used to modify and improve programs, resources, and services (Stipulation 2.1.2) (Stipulation 2.1.2) Requirement: [The university] is required to: ( Requirement: [The university] is required to: (i i) provide summary information of surveys for programs and administrative and academic support (Stipulation, 2.2.1); (ii) programs and administrative and academic support (Stipulation, 2.2.1); (ii) document evidence on any benchmarking exercises and discussion of the relative status of the program any benchmarking exercises and discussion of the relative status of the program performance (Stipulation, 2.2.3) Requirement: [The university] is required to develop a systematic way of tracking how the results Requirement: [The university] is required to develop a systematic way of tracking how the results from the various assessments are used to make both programmatic and institutional from the various assessments are used to make both programmatic and institutional improvements. improvements. Requirement: [The university] is required to identify recognized programs for benchmarking Requirement: [The university] is required to identify recognized programs for benchmarking (Stipulation, 2.2.2) and explain how: (Stipulation, 2.2.2) and explain how: the curriculum is influenced by these programs the curriculum is influenced by these programs the external advisory board contributes to the process. the external advisory board contributes to the process. ) provide summary information of surveys for document evidence on

Quality Assurance Unit A separate quality assurance unit Director or manager Human and other resources

Quality Assurance Unit: What do I look for a well thought out unit that implements the quality assurance system campus structure is reflected in the college or unit responsible individual who reports to the campus system Appropriate staff to implement system college response and integration with the campus system

Example of Requirement in response to Example of Requirement in response to Quality Assurance Unit Quality Assurance Unit Requirement: [The university] is required to implement the process currently under Requirement: [The university] is required to implement the process currently under development and provide evidence that the process is fully implemented development and provide evidence that the process is fully implemented (Stipulation, 2.3.1). (Stipulation, 2.3.1). Requirement: [The university] is required to provide evidence that the full Requirement: [The university] is required to provide evidence that the full- -time data analyst position is filled (Stipulation, 2.3.3). analyst position is filled (Stipulation, 2.3.3). time data Requirement: [The university] is required to increase the level of staffing in their Requirement: [The university] is required to increase the level of staffing in their quality assurance unit to a level that is appropriate to meet the Standards quality assurance unit to a level that is appropriate to meet the Standards (Stipulation, 2.3.3). (Stipulation, 2.3.3).

Examples of Suggestions written for Standard 2 Suggestion: The ERT suggests that the periodic program review process be Suggestion: The ERT suggests that the periodic program review process be examined to determine if any part of the process should be altered for the addition examined to determine if any part of the process should be altered for the addition of doctoral program review. of doctoral program review.