Accreditation 101 - Insight into your self-study process. 

October 3, 2008

Presented by co-chairs: .Bettie Estes , Deltha Shell, and liaison Joan Stirling

Joan showed off a cake that Tina Wheelis decorated into a pie chart to demonstrate the classification of expenditures of Ozarka as provided by the Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE).  Attendees were able to enjoy the cake at the conclusion of the meeting.

Component 4a: "The organization demonstrates, through the actions of its board, administrators, students, faculty, and staff, that it values a life of learning."

Deltha discussed some points that support 4a:

• Board approved and disseminated statements
• Planning and pattern of financial allocation
• Professional development opportunities
• Public acknowledgement of student achievement
• Produce scholarship & create knowledge
• Use scholarship and research to stimulate improvement

Component 4b: "The organization demonstrates that acquisition of a breadth of knowledge and skills and the exercise of intellectual inquiry are integral to its educational programs."

Joan discussed this component and how it relates to General Education.  She gave several examples of how Ozarka's programs incorporate general education into the curriculum. 

Component 4c: "The organization assesses the usefulness of its curricula to students who will live and work in a global, diverse, and technological society."

Deltha talked about curriculum evaluation and how it relates to professional competence that is essential to a diverse workforce.

Some points that support 4c:

• Regular academic program reviews
• Goals and outcomes include essential skills
• Documentation that graduates have learned the skill
• Evaluation involves alumni, employers and constituents
• Supports creation and use of scholarship
• Expectation of student mastery of knowledge and skills
• Provides curricular and co-curricular opportunities.

Component 4d: "The organization provides support to ensure that faculty, students, and staff acquire, discover and apply knowledge responsibly."

Joan gave several examples of how Ozarka is following this component.

Bettie facilitated and challenged groups, determined at random, to come up with examples of evidence for each of the core components discussed in Criterion 4.

Please leave a comment or send an email to the Criterion Four Co-Chairs:

Bettie Estes, bestes@ozarka.edu 870-368-2046 or 870-994-7273 ext. 4004

Deltha Shell, dshell@ozarka.edu 870-368-2034

Joan Stirling, jstirling@ozarka.edu 870-368-2007

-or- the Self-Study Co-Chairs:

Joan Stirling, jstirling@ozarka.edu 870-368-2007

Joanna Fulbright, jfulbright@ozarka.edu 870-368-2064

Comments or suggestions to improve this newsletter to Communication co-chairs:

Kim Whitten, kwhitten@ozarka.edu 870-368-2060

Libby Cone, lcone@ozarka.edu 870-368-2002.