Office for Institutional Effectiveness

The Office for Institutional Effectiveness provides leadership and guidance in support of evidence-based accreditation at the College of Charleston.

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) defines Institutional Planning and Effectiveness and Student Achievement as:

Section 7: Institutional Planning and Effectiveness

1. The institution engages in ongoing, comprehensive, and integrated research-based planning and evaluation processes that (a) focus on instiutional quality and effectiveness and (b) incorporate a systematic review of institutional goals and outcomes consistent with its mission. (Institutional Planning) [CR]

2. The institution has a Quality Enhancement Plan that (a) has a topic identified through its ongoing, comprehensive planning and evaluation processes; (b) has broad-based support of institutional constituencies; (c) focuses on improving specific student learning outcomes and/or student success; (d) commits resources to initiate, implement and complete the QEP; and (e) includes a plan to assess achievement. (Quality Enhancement Plan)

3. The institution identifies expected outcomes of its administrative support services and demonstrates the extent to which the outcomes are achieved. (Administrative effectiveness)

Section 8: Student Achievement

  1. The institution identifies, evaluates, and publishes goals and outcomes for student achievement appropriate to the institution’s mission, the nature of the students it serves, and the kinds of programs offered. The institution uses multiple measures to document student success.(Student achievement) [CR] 
  2. The institution identifies expected outcomes, assesses the extent to which it achieves these outcomes, and provides evidence of seeking improvement based on analysis of the results in the areas below:
    a. student learning outcomes for each of its educational programs. (Student outcomes: educational programs)
    b. student learning outcomes for collegiate-level general education competencies of its undergraduate degree programs. (Student outcomes: general education)
    c. academic and student services that support student success. (Student outcomes: academic and student services)

The Principles of Accreditation: Foundations for Quality Enhancement, ed. College Delegate Assembly December 2017 (Decatur: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges) 7, and 8