Comprehensive Evaluation

The Commission requires institutions to undergo a comprehensive evaluation at least every ten years.  The comprehensive evaluation process has three distinct components:

• an institutional self-study, in which the institution evaluates how and how well it meets the Commission's Standards for Accreditation;
• an on-site evaluation by a group of peers; 
• a review and decision by the Commission.

Self-study: Self-study is at the heart of accreditation. Both a product and a process, effective self-study serves accreditation’s dual purposes: quality assurance and institutional improvement. The self-study presents a concise picture of the institution as a dynamic entity with a sense of its history, an understanding of its present, and a vision of its future. Clearly identifying strengths and challenges demonstrates the institution's capacity for  using analysis for improvement.

Commission staff provide assistance to institutions preparing for their comprehensive evaluations through an annual fall workshop and individual campus visits. Institutions are strongly encouraged to submit a rough draft of the self-study for review by Commission staff.  For help with self-study preparation, email Louise Zak or call 781-541-5413. 

          PRINTED GUIDELINES AND OTHER RESOURCES

• Self-Study Guide
• Commission Policy Statement on Institutional Effectiveness
• Commission Policy Statement on Student Achievement and Success
• Focusing on Outcomes:  Some Examples
• Evaluation Manual:
        Introduction and Table of Contents
        Chapter I:  The Accreditation Process in America
        Chapter II:  Accreditation by CIHE  
        Chapter III: Steps in the Evaluative Process
        Chapter IV:  Before the Visit
        Chapter V:   During the Visit
        Chapter VI:  After the Visit
        Appendices

• Supportive Materials for the Team Workroom 
   
  
   COMPONENTS OF THE SELF-STUDY

1. Cover page
    
2. Table of Contents
   
   
3. Institutional Characteristics Form
    
4. Introduction (brief summary of self-study process, participants, and goals, and identification of areas the institution was asked to focus on)
    
5. Institutional overview (including summary of principal self-study findings)
    
6. Narrative (response to 11 Standards in Description, Appraisal, Projection format)
    
7. Appendix
       --CIHE Finance, Enrollment, Faculty Data Forms 
           for Public Institutions
           for Independent Institutions
   
        --Public Disclosure Form
   
        --Student Success Data Forms (E series and S series) 
            REQUIRED FOR SELF-STUDIES STARTING IN SPRING 2009
            Becoming More Explicit in Looking at Student Success (pdf version of all)
            Student Success E series (Word version of form)
            Student Success S series (Excel version of form) 
   
        --Preliminary list of workroom exhibits and URLs
   
        --Most recent year’s audit and management letter (auditor’s recommendations) 

• Copy of each institutional catalog
  
  The self-study and catalog are sent to each member of the visiting team approximately 6 weeks before the evaluation is to take place. At the same time, an electronic version of the entire document (in pdf format) and 4 paper copies and 4 catalogs are sent to the Commission office.

On-site Evaluation:  The on-site evaluation by a group of faculty and administrators provides the institution and the Commission with a valuable external perspective.  Team members are selected because of their experience at an institution comparable to the one being evaluated.  They are trained by Commission staff to validate the self-study in light of the institution's mission.

Commission Review and Decision:  The Commission meets four times a year to consider institutional reports. Ordinarily, reports are reviewed and acted upon during the next Commission meeting after they are received.  Institutional self-studies are considered in the semester following the campus visit, in order to allow time for the team report to be written and for the institution to respond.

The Commission reviews the self-study, the team report, and any response an institution may make to its report. The Commission also meets with the chief executive officer of the visited institution and the team chair. In addition, in keeping with federal regulations, the Commission seeks and considers Third Party Comment regarding each evaluated institution.

The Range and Meaning of Commission Actions Affecting Institutional Status outlines the actions the Commission may take with regard to an institution's accreditation status. In addition, the Commission specifies areas where an institution should endeavor to improve its effectiveness. Official written notification of the Commission decision is provided to the institution shortly after the Commission meeting.