College
of DuPage has moved from a traditional model of accreditation to the
Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP), a quality-based,
continuous improvement model of accreditation through The Higher
Learning Commission (HLC), a Commission of the North
Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA). This model
is based on the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award Program and
incorporates a review process designed to deliver clear, concrete and
efficient feedback to participating institutions. Additionally, it provides
assurance of institutional quality to NCA and other audiences and constituencies.
As encouraged by NCA, the college is customizing the AQIP process to
conform to its evolving culture of continuous improvement.
Academic
Quality Improvement Project Accreditation Timeline
C.O.D. has successfully completed the initial requirements for participation
in the Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP). In October 2001,
C.O.D. submitted the Goals Commitment Declaration for the three AQIP
action projects, a major component for accreditation. C.O.D. reports
its progress in an annual update provided to HLC each September.
In 2004,
C.O.D. completed its first three- to five-year cycle when it submitted
a systems portfolio to NCA. The college then initiated a new cycle of
continuous improvement action projects. In 2006, C.O.D. attended its
second Strategy Forum. In 2008, it is expected that HLC will issue a
formal reaffirmation of accreditation including a certificate for the
institution, a letter to the United States Department of Education,
and press releases.
back
to top of page
Continuous
Improvement Organization
In its move to a continuous improvement organizational model, C.O.D.
has recently implemented a new structure for the Institutional Effectiveness
Council (IEC). The newly formed IEC will oversee all quality- and effectiveness-related
activities at C.O.D. The council’s responsibilities include:
•
Managing the content and production of the AQIP Systems Portfolio
• Coordinating Quality Improvement Project (QIP) teams
• Assessing the effectiveness of the college’s assessment
processes
• Assessing and improving the effectiveness of the college’s
planning processes
• Assessing and improving the measurement of the college’s
effectiveness
• Serving as a resource for all Continuous Improvement (CI) teams
• Communicating effectiveness activities to the college community.
In addition,
the college has created the Quality Improvement Council (QIC), a group
comprised of members of the IEC along with the Leadership Council, an
across-the-college constituency-based group. The QIC has overall responsibility
for the college’s accreditation processes. It will be responsible
for chartering future QIP teams, approving QIP team recommendations,
and acting upon effectiveness issues that are related to accreditation.
Continuous
Improvement Process
The continuous improvement (CI) process at C.O.D. requires the college
to identify purposes and goals, plan activities, implement planning,
assess results of implementation with measurable outcomes, and incorporate
and integrate indicated modifications where appropriate throughout the
institution.
The college
uses reporting documents to ensure standardization and efficient communication.
Continuous
Improvement Training
Continuous improvement and facilitator training were initiated during
the summer of 2001. The effort is ongoing. While college leaders, continuous
improvement opportunity team members and facilitators were the first
to be trained, it is the colleges intention to eventually train
all employees through a train-the-trainer program.
back
to top of page
AQIP
The Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP) represents the portion
of the overall continuous improvement effort that relates to the colleges
quality-based accreditation process through HLC. The nine criteria for
AQIP accreditation are based on the Baldrige criteria. C.O.D. uses the
AQIP criteria, as written by the HLC, as the foundation by which the
college continuously monitors its performance.
AQIP
Action Projects
Three of C. O. D’s Action Projects have been retired. The first
team designed and implemented systems and processes to improve developmental
students’ skills in reading, writing and mathematics and to ensure
their success in college-level English and mathematics courses. A second
team designed and implemented an efficient and effective advising system
to help C.O.D. students meet their individual educational goals. The
third team developed effective and productive partnerships with area
high schools to meet the needs of four primary stakeholder groups: high
school students, their parents, high school teachers and administrators.
C.O.D
has three current Action Projects. Action Project 4, Valuing People
Through Enhanced Communications, has been charged with improving the
satisfaction levels of employees by creating a culture where everyone
accepts their responsibilities for decision making and obtaining appropriate
information to perform their duties. Action Project 5, Improve Academic
Readiness of Students, has the goal of framing key priorities and creating
actionable strategies to improve students’ academic readiness,
while Action Project 6, Improve Student Engagement, has the goal of
framing key priorities and creating actionable strategies to improve
student engagement.
Click here to go to the AQIP Action Projects page.
Benefits
of AQIP/Continuous Improvement
Through the implementation of AQIP and continuous improvement, benefits
to the college are continuously emerging. The use of quality tools has
improved college meetings and increased the use of data rather than
anecdotal information in decision-making. An example already underway
is the modification of the college-wide program review process to systematically
sustain continuous improvement and emphasize program quality. As C.O.D.
develops increased expertise in the use of quality tools, institutional
performance should become more effective and productive.
back
to top of page