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AP 9-47 Instructional Program Review

Arapahoe Community College
Series 9 – Educational Programs
AP 9-47 Instructional Program Review

Originated: May 1999

Revised: April 2006; May 2006; August 2015, July 2016

Effective: May 1999; April 2006; May 2006; August 2015; July 2016

References: BP 9-47; SP 9-47

Approved:

Diana M. Doyle, Ph.D.
President, Arapahoe Community College

PURPOSE

The Instructional Program Review Plan is an outgrowth of the College's assessment and accountability planning and the need to be responsive to changing college/community needs. Instructional Program Review findings are the basis for decisions to add, discontinue, expand/contract or consolidate instructional programs. Instructional program refers to traditional discipline areas as well as those areas offering degrees and certificates.

This Procedure contains pertinent information affecting employees, current through the date of its issuance. To the extent that any provision of this Procedure is inconsistent with State or Federal law, State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education Policies (BPs) or Colorado Community College System President’s Procedures (SPs), the law, BPs and SPs shall supersede and control. BPs and SPs are subject to change throughout the year and are effective immediately upon adoption by the Board or System President, respectively. Employees are expected to be familiar with and adhere to the BPs, SPs as well as College directives, including but not limited to this Procedure.

Nothing in this Procedure is intended to create (nor shall be construed as creating) an express or implied contract or to guarantee employment for any term. The College reserves the right to modify, change, delete or add to this Procedure as it deems appropriate.

SCOPE

This procedure applies to faculty and Instructional staff.

PROCEDURE

  1. Instructional Program Review
     

    There are two Instructional Program Review processes:   Annual Program Review and Three­ year Comprehensive Program Review. All programs and disciplines will be assessed annually as well as a comprehensive review every three years.

    1. Annual Instructional Program Review
       

      Annual Instructional Program Review measures "program health." This evaluation uses data and observations routinely collected to assess accomplishments for ACC 's strategic planning, staff development , budget needs , and/or to meet the requirements of state agencies and accrediting bodies. The School Dean is responsible for the annual review of this data. This review will use several indicators that provide a "snapshot " of the health of the program. School Deans will report to the Vice President for Instruction (VPI) on findings of Instructional Program Reviews in conjunction with strategic planning.

      The indicators used for the annual review may include three-year trends for:

      This annual review is conducted to create an awareness of specific issues, problems or growth emerging within individual programs or disciplines so that effective and immediate remedies and modifications can be implemented. If the Dean determines that there may be issues needing attention, a meeting with the Department Chair will occur to review the data. This meeting will determine if a growth plan or a remediation plan must be established.

      1. Course enrollment data, identified by delivery mode
      2. Program/course completers (numbers, retention, success rates, etc.)
      3. Concurrent Enrollment data
      4. Average class size and low enrollment classes
      5. Fill rates
      6. Full-time faculty to FTE ratio
      7. Cost per FTE
      8. Other contributing information and data that provides qualitative or objective program information
    2. Three-year Comprehensive Program Review
       

      All programs will be reviewed every three years, on a rotation schedule, as part of the College's ongoing internal program assessment and its relationship to accountability measures.

      In addition to annual assessments, three-year reviews may include data analysis such as:

      Timeline: Three-year review rotation cycle will be determined by ACC's Learning Leadership.

      1. Cost per FTE
      2. Capacity/Productivity-FTE comparison to regular faculty
      3. Overall SWOT Analysis
      4. Confirm CCCS program approvals are current
      5. Employment demand data
      6. Graduate responses from the State's VE-135
      7. Total number of program graduates in similar programs from all institutions in the state, region or nation
      8. Business and industry partnerships
      9. Grants or other outside financial supports
      10. External accreditations and approvals
      11. Other contributing information and data that provides qualitative or objective program information
         
  2. Program Remediation
     

    If a program is identified as having symptoms for concern, the Dean will meet with the Department Chair, faculty and advisory committee (if applicable) to review the data and discuss the problems/issues. A plan for remediation will be developed. This plan will include expectations, course(s) of action, measurable outcomes, and a timeline. Program remediation plans and timelines will vary depending on issues facing the program, market demand, etc.  The Dean and/or Department Chair will meet with the VPI to review, revise as appropriate, and approve the plan.

    Upon approval, a program may receive extra resources for marketing, recruiting, curriculum revisions and/or format adjustments, etc. Additional strategies may include partnering the program with another program within the College, or another community college, developing new curriculum, etc.

    At the end of the program plan timeline, a re-evaluation with the Dean, VPI, Department Chair and faculty will occur.  If the program has been unsuccessful in its attempts to meet goals and objectives, the Dean, and VPI will meet with the President to determine the future of the program.
     

  3. Program Phase-Out
     

    When a program reaches the discontinuation decision point, a Phase-out Plan will be developed in accordance with BP 3-20 and 3-22.

    A major consideration will be to maintain the integrity of the educational services to the students during the phase-out period and to provide assistance to students to ensure that they will have the opportunity to complete the program.

The VPI shall receive all recommendations concerning instructional programs from Deans. The VPI will review and advance Instruction's priorities to the College President for approval and implementation.