ACEN Systematic Evaluation Plan (SEP)
Standard 6 was completely rewritten.

All programs must have a SPE. The only required components in the SPE are the assessment of:
a. end-of-program student learning outcomes
b. program outcomes that include the licensure examination pass rate, program completion rate, and job placement rate

In the SPE, including the
a. assessment of the ACEN Standards and Criteria,
b. graduate satisfaction, and
c. employer
d. the assessment of role specific graduate competencies
is no longer required.

A program is expected to always be in compliance with the ACEN Standards and Criteria.
a. However, documenting the compliance in the SPE is no longer required.
The SPE must contain the following
Systematic Evaluation Plan Template
a. Specific, measurable expected levels of achievement for each end-of-program
student learning outcome and each program outcome.
b. Appropriate assessment method(s) for each end-of-program student learning
outcome and each program outcome.
Regular intervals for the assessment of each end-of-program student learning
outcome and each program outcome.
d. Sufficient data to inform program decision- making for the maintenance and
improvement of each end-of-program student learning outcome and each
program outcome*.
e. Analysis of assessment data to inform program decision-making for the
maintenance and improvement of each end- of-program student learning
outcome and each program outcome.
c.
1
Be sure to read comments on the ACEN Standard Comparison
2013-2017 (http://www.acenursing.org/resources-for-nursingprograms/)
Column on SEP gives Examples of Expected Levels of
Achievement (ELA’s)
Column for Date: Month and Year
Glossary: Sufficient – enough or adequate for the purpose of
achieving the end of program student learning outcomes and
program outcomes.
Column for Analysis of Assessment Data to Inform Program
Decision Making
Documentation demonstrating the use of assessment data to inform program Column for Improvement Plan and Meeting Minutes Date
decision-making for the maintenance and improvement of each end-ofprogram student learning outcome and each program outcome
* Programs seeking initial accreditation are required to have data from the time that the program achieves candidacy with the ACEN.
From ACEN Standards Comparison 2017-2013
f.
Minnesota Administrative Rules
6301.2340 3B.
Implement a comprehensive, systematic plan for ongoing evaluation that is based on program outcomes and stakeholder input
regarding competence and safety. The ongoing evaluation plan must provide for continuous improvement;
6301.2340 REQUIRED CRITERIA FOR NURSING EDUCATION PROGRAMS.
I. ensure responsibilities of nursing faculty include:
(1) developing, implementing, evaluating, and updating the purpose, philosophy, objectives, and organizational framework of
the nursing education program;
(2) designing, implementing, and evaluating the curriculum using a written plan;
(3) developing, evaluating, and revising student admission, progression, retention, and graduation policies within the policies
of the governing body;
(4) participating in academic advising and guidance of students;
(5) planning and providing theoretical, clinical, and simulated clinical learning activities that reflect an understanding of the
philosophy, objectives, and curriculum of the nursing education program; and
(6) evaluating student achievement of curricular objectives and outcomes related to nursing knowledge and practice;
2
Standard &
Criteria
Date
Mo/Yr.
Examples of
Expected Level of Achievement (ELA)
ELA
Met?
Analysis of Assessment Data to
Inform Program Decision Making
Standard 6.1 Student Learning Outcomes
6.1 Student
Learning
Outcomes:
The program
demonstrates
evidence of
students’
achievement of
each end-ofprogram student
learning
outcome.
2016
XX% of students receive a passing
grade on designated student
assignment to determine assessment
of the specific SLO achievement.
2017
XX% of student’s average at or above
the national average for the SLO
designation on the Comprehensive
Predictor Exam.
2018
XX% of students receive a passing
grade on a terminal simulation
measuring the specific SLO
achievement.
XX% of graduates on the 6 to 12month graduate survey and on the
EXIT survey agree or strongly agree
to their ability to perform the SLOs
XX% of employers in a focus group
agree or strongly agree that the
graduates employed are able to
perform the SLOs at 6 months postgraduation.
6.2 NCLEX Pass Rates
6.2 NCLEX
The program
demonstrates
evidence of
graduates’
achievement on
the licensure
examination.
2016
2017
2018
The program's most recent annual
NCLEX licensure examination pass
rate will be at least 80% for all firsttime test-takers during the same 12month period aggregated the
program as a whole and by program
option, location and completion
date.
3
Improvement Plan
Date of
Minutes
6.3 Program Completion Rates
6.3 Program
Completion Rates
The program
demonstrates
evidence of
students’
achievement in
completing the
nursing program.
The expected level
of achievement
for program
completion is
determined by the
faculty and
reflects student
demographics.
2016
6.4 Job Placement
2016
The program
demonstrates
evidence of
graduates’
achievement in job
placement.
2017
2017
XX% of the students who begin the
first nursing courses will graduate
from the nursing program within
150% of the timeframe allotted for
the program.
2018
6.4 Job Placement
2018
XX% of students will be employed
within one (1) year of graduation.
You may also want to have one for
continuing on in their education.
XX% of students will continue on into
higher levels of nursing education
within one (1) year of graduation.
This ends the REQUIREMENTS for ACEN Systematic Evaluation Plan
4
Assessment of Students
Standard & Criteria Date
& Assessment Tool Mo/Yr.
Student Exit Survey
ACEN 1.2
3.3, 3.4, 3.7, 3.8,
3.9
4.4, 4.5, 4.9
5.3, 5.4, 6.1
2016
2017
Example of
Expected Level of Achievement (ELA)
ELA
Analysis of Assessment Data to
Met? Inform Program Decision Making
XX% of students will average a 3 on a
1 to 4 Likert scale for each question.
Qualitative comments will be
reviewed and changes made to
program as needed.
2018
Standard-1-3-4-5-6-S
tudent-Exit-Survey.docx
2016
ACEN 1.3
Student
Representative
Meetings
2017
2018
After discussion with student
representatives, suggestions for
improvement will be reviewed by
faculty and Director of Nursing and
changes made to the program if
indicated and supported by faculty.
Quality Improvement
Student Representative Meetings.docx
2016
ACEN 3.1
Student Policies
The program’s
student policies
conform with
institutional student
policies and are
readily available to
the public.
Student Handbook will be reviewed
and updated yearly and as needed.
2017
2018
5
Improvement Plan
Date of
Minutes
Assessment of Faculty
Standard & Criteria Date
& Assessment Tools Mo/Yr.
Faculty Survey
ACEN
1.7,
2.7,
4.3
5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4,
4.6, 4.7, 4.9, 4.10
Standards-1-2-4-5-6Survey-Faculty-2016.docx
2.9
Faculty Professional
Development Plans
(PDP)
2.9
Faculty
Evaluations
2016
2017
Example of
Expected Level of Achievement (ELA)
ELA
Analysis of Assessment Data to
Met? Inform Program Decision Making
XX% of faculty will average a 3 on a 1
to 4 Likert scale for each question.
Qualitative comments will be
reviewed and changes made to
program as needed.
2018
2016
2017
2018
100% of unlimited faculty will turn in
PDP on standardized template on a
yearly basis
2016
2017
2018
100% of faculty that are required to
have a faculty evaluation per college
procedure will be completed
6
Improvement Plan
Date of
Minutes
Curriculum
Evaluation of the Curriculum using a Written Plan (MN Board of Nursing Rule 6301.2340 I-2) (Include in your faculty handbook)
ACEN 4.3 The curriculum is developed by the faculty and regularly reviewed to ensure integrity, rigor, and currency.
Standard & Criteria Date
Example of
ELA
Analysis of Assessment Data to
Improvement Plan
& Assessment Tools Mo/Yr. Expected Level of Achievement (ELA) Met? Inform Program Decision Making
2016
Clinical/Course
Evaluations
Faculty Course
Evaluation.docx
2017
2018
2016
Purchased
Proctored Exams
2017
2018
Course Review
2016
2017
Course Review
Minutes.docx
XX% of students will average a 3 on a
1 to 4 Likert scale for each of the
questions.
Qualitative comments will be
reviewed and changes made to
course as needed as evidenced by
faculty Quality Improvement plans.
XX% of students will achieve a
minimum of proficiency level 2 on
each of the proctored exams and be
XX% or above predictability to pass
boards on Comprehensive Predictor
exam.
Topics on the exams that score less
than the national average will be
reviewed by faculty for changes in
curriculum.
Faculty complete the course review
template each semester the course
is taught and develop quality
improvement plans for the course.
2018
Achievement of SLOs
See ACEN Standard 6.1
7
Date of
Minutes
Communities of Interest (Advisory Board)
Standard & Criteria Date
& Assessment Tools Mo/Yr.
Advisory Board
Survey
ACEN 1.3
The assessment of
end-of-program
student learning
outcomes and
program outcomes
is shared with
communities of
interest, and the
communities of
interest have input
into program
processes and
decision-making.
2016
2017
2018
Example of
Expected Level of Achievement (ELA)
ELA
Analysis of Assessment Data to
Met? Inform Program Decision Making
Improvement Plan
XX% of advisory board members will
average a 3 on a 1 to 4 Likert scale
for each of the questions on the
advisory board survey including the
question that asks if they feel they
have input into the program
processes and decision making.
Qualitative comments from the
advisory board will be reviewed by
the faculty and changes made to the
program as deemed appropriate.
Advisory Board
Survey.docx
Developed by Sue Field DNP, RN, CNE in September 2016 (you have permission to use this template)
8
Date of
Minutes