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
Effective Methods of
Assessment
Identified Weakness
Improving Student
Learning
Supports Vision/Goals
of Institution
Supported by Research
Findings
Overview of Strategic Planning
TTU Vision
TBR Goals
SACS QEP
University Goals
Unit Goals
QEP Development Proc ess
Topic Genera tion
Phase I
QEP Committee
Foc us Groups
SGA
Fac ulty Senate
Deans’ Council
Steering Com mittee
Topic Selection
Phase I
Topic Selection
Phase II
Cam pus Units
Enter Strategic
Goals/action Plans for
QEP Topic s
Analysisof
CampusInput
Identify Weaknesses
Identify Topic s
Identify Strategies
Topic Genera tion
Phase II
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
Vision
Life-long
Success
TTU
Student
Learning
Measurable
Weakness
SACS
Evidence for Weaknesses
Teaching Evaluations - Objectives Selected
Teaching Evaluations - Progress Ratings
Employer Survey
Enrolled Student Survey
Alumni Survey
Critical Thinking Tests
Employer Survey
Objective
R
Va
lu
es
ce
s
es
ou
r
ct
ed
le
ar
n
in
g
rit
ic
al
th
in
ki
ng
di
re
C
ul
tu
ra
l
m
un
ic
at
io
n
on
al
Us
e
om
Pe
rs
&
Se
l f-
Fi
nd
C
or
k
re
at
ivi
ty
C
C
Te
am
w
kil
ls
of
es
si
on
al
S
Pr
cip
le
s
Ap
pl
ic
at
io
n
Pr
in
Fa
ct
s
% of time selected
Frequency – IDEA objectives selected
Frequency IDEA Objectives are Selected by Instructors (2001-2004)
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
cip
le
s
Objective
R
Va
lu
es
ce
s
es
ou
r
ct
ed
le
ar
n
in
g
rit
ic
al
th
in
ki
ng
di
re
C
ul
tu
ra
l
m
un
ic
at
io
n
on
al
Us
e
om
Pe
rs
&
Se
l f-
Fi
nd
C
or
k
re
at
ivi
ty
C
C
Te
am
w
Pr
of
es
si
on
al
Sk
il ls
Ap
pl
ic
at
io
n
Pr
in
Fa
ct
s
Adj T Score
Progress on IDEA objectives
TTU Progress on IDEA Objectives (2001-2004)
52.0
50.0
48.0
46.0
44.0
42.0
40.0
38.0
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
involve
Real-world projects, service learning, coops
 Original research, role playing, simulations,
case studies
 Cooperative learning, using information &
technology effectively, alumni mentoring

rit
ic
al
Th
in
ki
ng
Li
fe
-lo
ng
le
ar
ni
ng
C
re
at
ive
or
k
so
lv
in
g
C
Te
am
w
m
un
ic
at
io
n
ob
le
m
om
Pr
C
Frequency Selected
Focus Group Results
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
SGA
FS
Modified QEP Topics
Improve critical thinking/real-world
problem solving skills through the use of
active learning strategies.
With emphasis on communication skills
 With emphasis on team work skills
 With emphasis on creative thinking

Associated Benefits
Active Learning
More Student Engagement
&
Higher Student Retention
Improved
Improved
Critical Thinking/Problem Solving
Creative Thinking
Confidence
Communication
Team Work
&
Life-long Success
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
IDEA Progress
Ratings
Implementation
Indicators
NSSE Ratings
Early Indicators
Middle Indicators
CAT & CT
Performance
Measures
Employer
Surveys
Late Indicators
Campus Units Enter Goals &
Strategies for QEP Topics of Interest
using QEP Planning Database
What is Critical Thinking
Expanded Contemporary Emphasis
Evaluate Arguments and Conclusions
Evaluate Ideas and Plans
Evaluate One's Understanding
Reasoning
Problem Solving
Life-Long Learning Skills
Creativity
Communication
From: Assessing Critical Thinking Skills, COC/SACS 2004 Meeting