Assignment:
Please respond to each discussion
Write 4 to 5 sentences for each discussion agreeing or disagreeing based off what you wrote in your discussion previously
Discussion 1
Procedural Framework for a Program Evaluation
Evaluation methods vary depending on the aims of the specific program being evaluated. San Joaquin Delta College assessment process is aimed at reviewing department missions, core functions, and its relationship to the College's mission, and providing data for College planning and resource allocation. The College has identified the process as a continuous improvement process that ties the mission, goals, and outcomes to the strategic planning and resource allocation. It involves six key steps defining or redefining department mission, identifying the department goals and objectives, measuring outcomes, analyzing results, developing, and allocating resources. (Administrative Unit Review Toolkit).
I believe that the institution process is justified bearing in mind that the administrative department purpose is to ensure institutional improvement and renewal and also the College's accreditation. As per the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) Standards, the administrative and support unit ought to facilitate the continuous improvement of academic and student support programs and the achievement of learning outcomes (Administrative Unit Review Toolkit). Hence with the above process, San Joaquin Delta College is undoubtedly committed to continuous quality improvement for each department, program, and services in the institution.
However, based on comparison to the procedural steps in the readings and overview, I would revise the San Joaquin's steps to include stakeholder involvement in the initial stages. Stakeholder involvement is an essential step in program evaluation because it forms the basis for knowledge exchange point of view, and it is vital in decision-making and improvement. This step will help in gathering multiple perspectives about the salient issues and making sure that the need for all is addressed.
The administrative unit review as discussed in the toolkit is different from academic program review. Administrative Unit Review (AUR) is more concerned about administrative departments. These reviews are concerned with making recommendations to improve the effectiveness of student support and administrative service units on campus. (Nichols, 2008) Academic program review, on the other hand, is more concerned with the College's programs; it is about ensuring that the college programs and curriculums are effective and responsive to the community within the limits of the available resources. (Academic Program Review) Academic program review is a faculty-driven process and is initiated at the academic level with the lead role generally in the hands of the academic supervisors.
Discussion 2
According to the San Joaquin Delta College Administrative Unit Review Toolkit "assessment involves the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data in order to determine if institutional performance is meeting expectations" (San Joaquin Delta, n.d.). Program evaluations are not only designed for academic programs, but also programs that service students (San Joaquin Delta, n.d.).San Joaquin Delta College assessment model can be applied to several divisions at the institution. The primary steps in their assessment tool kit are as follows (San Joaquin Delta, n.d.):
1. Define/Redefine Department Mission Identify Goals/Objectives
2. Measure Outcomes
3. Analyze Results
4. Develop an Action Plan
5. Allocate Resources
San Joaquin Delta College developed Institutional Learning Outcomes and Student Learning Outcomes that help identify the essential to the Institution and the programs commitment to the students served (Grayson, 2012, p. 463). In further exploration of Delta College's tool kit they introduce annual administrative unit reviews that consist of an overview of the unit, administrative outcomes, key performance indicators, resource allocation analysis and summary and recommendation (San Joaquin Delta, n.d.). Delta College's AUR allows for readers to understand how to "describing a program [with regard to its] resources . . . activities, [components, outputs, participants,] outcomes, and impact [defines] a program's logic [or purpose]" (Grayson, 2012, p. 465).
San Joaquin Delta College provides visuals on resource allocation, SWOT analysis and also recommendations of assistance with conducting program assessments (San Joaquin Delta, n.d.). San Joaquin Delta College example Administrative Unit Review Report not only collected relevant data, but presented clear analysis and narrative of the data.
I believe that the San Joaquin Delta College Administrative Unit Review Toolkit has a wealth of information but in comparison to the procedural framework for a program evaluation in the readings there is one step that I would revise. First where San Joaquin identify the goals and objectives of the program, as the reading suggested I would briefly identify and outline how to involve the stakeholders. As stated in the earlier readings getting stakeholders "involved early on will help you get different perspectives on the program and establish common expectations" (NWCPHP, 2014).