Frequently Asked Questions
What is the
?
According to SACS: "Developing a QEP as a part of the reaffirmation process is an opportunity for the institution to enhance overall institutional quality and effectiveness by focusing on an issue or issues the institution considers important to improving student learning."
The QEP is a focused plan that engages the entire SWGTC community – faculty, students, staff, alumni, administrators and constituents – in addressing a well-defined topic that contributes to institutional improvement through strengthening student learning. The five-year plan must be based on the scholarship and research around best educational practices, with clear outcomes for student learning and assessment. The plan will include resources for implementation; implementation of our QEP will begin in 2012.
Why does SWGTC need a
?
Southwest Georgia Technical College is in the beginning stages of preparing for our 2012 reaffirmation of accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). In order to maintain SWGTC’s accreditation, we must document that we meet compliance standards. Additionally, and new to the reaccreditation process, we must create a Quality Enhancement Plan, or QEP, a five-year plan for enhancing student learning.
What are the
benefits of the
?
The plan creates the opportunity and drive for SWGTC to enhance overall institutional quality and effectiveness by focusing on issues that the institution considers important for improving student learning.
What is meant by
"student learning" in the
?
According to SACS, "student learning is defined broadly in the context of the QEP and may address a wide range of topics or issues. Student learning may include changes in students' knowledge, skills, behaviors, and/or values that may be attributable to the collegiate experience. Examples of topics or issues include, but are not limited to, enhancing the academic climate for student learning, strengthening the general studies curriculum, developing creative approaches to experiential learning, enhancing critical thinking skills, introducing innovative teaching and learning strategies, increasing student engagement in learning, and exploring imaginative ways to use technology in the curriculum. In all cases, the goals and evaluation strategies must be clearly linked to improving the quality of student learning." (SACS Handbook for Reaffirmation of Accreditation, 2004: 22). This means that formulating intended student learning outcomes that demonstrate the impact of the QEP on students will be an integral part of the plan.
What are some
examples of
topics from other institutions?
- Active Learning - University of Texas, Arlington
- Learning in a Technology-Rich Environment (LITRE) - NC State
- Critical Thinking - Nashville State Community College
- Multiply your options with math - Middle GA Tech
- Communication Across the Curriculum - University of Miami
- LEAD - Florida State University
- Improving long-term SLO's of Academically Disadvantaged Students - Central GA Tech
- Employability Skills - Guilford Tech Community College
- The Engaged University - Mercer University
- Creative & Transformative Significance - Owensboro Technical & Community College
- First Year Experience - University of Georgia
- Enhancing the Climate for Student Engagement through IP2 - Thomas University
What are the guidelines for the
?
- Includes a broad-based process for topic selection emerging from institutional assessment
- Focuses on learning outcomes and/or the environment supporting student learning and accomplishing the mission of the institution
- Demonstrates institutional capability for the initiation, implementation and completion of the QEP
- Includes broad-based involvement of institutional constituencies in the development and implementation of the plan
- Identifies goals and a plan to assess achievement