Program Review - Instructional Programs - Procedure 4.0200

Purpose:

The program review process provides for the collection and review of relevant, current and historical information describing the quality, productivity, needs of and demand for existing programs. The results of the data and reviews will provide information that may be used to:

1. update and revalidate courses and programs,
2. examine the extent to which courses and programs have been successful in meeting the needs of students and the community,
3. identify strategies for program improvement and growth,
4. meet local, state and national accountability and accreditation requirements,
5. allocate available funds for program.

Procedure:

1. Frequency
   
   Once every five years, or more frequently as deemed necessary by the appropriate dean and the Vice-President for Educational Programs, each program area and the General Education Requirements will be reviewed to determine their effectiveness and to develop strategies for continuous improvement. Reviews conducted by external accrediting agencies may supplement other appropriate data to complete the program review.
   
   Additional program reviews may be prompted by the data included in the series of reports produced annually by the Institutional Research Office. These reports compile facts about the General Education Requirements and all college instructional programs that award associate degrees, technical certificates, vocational certificates, or diplomas. The report may include data on:
   
   
   1. Program Quality (enrollment, completion, job placement, licensure pass rate, faculty profile, student satisfaction, learning outcomes, performance of student transfers at receiving institutions).
   2. Program Cost (salaries, benefits, operating expenses, capital outlay).
   
   
   A program will be flagged for analysis if completers are less than 20% of enrollees, or if placement is less than 70%. Changes in enrollment, operating expenses, or average class size of 10%, more or less, are reasons to flag a program for analysis.
2. Calendar
   
   
   1. The Director of Educational Services will maintain a long-term schedule of regular 5-year reviews for each program.
      
      
   2. When a particular program is due for its 5-year review by the long-term schedule, the Director of Educational Services will inform the appropriate dean by September 1, that an in-depth program review is to be completed and will establish a time line.
      
      
   3. By October 1, the appropriate dean will appoint a committee to conduct the review. Committee members will be from program areas of the College other than the program being reviewed. The Committee shall consist of four or more persons and will include at least one teaching faculty member, one administrator and the Director of Educational Services. The Chair of the Committee will be appointed by the dean.
      
      
   4. The Institutional Research office will provide data from its series of annual reports and other research data required to complete the Program Review. The Office of Finance and Budget will supply specified data elements related to program costs and revenues. When available and appropriate to the program, state and regional reports on workforce demand, future employment opportunities, and salaries will be included.
      
      
   5. During the review process, identified program components will be examined. If deficiencies are noted, the Committee must provide an explanation of the findings.
      
      
   6. The Committee will complete the program review and submit the results to the appropriate department chair and the Vice President, Educational Programs by March 1, for the administration review.
      
      
   7. In conjunction with the department chair and/or program manager, the dean will review the Committee's report and present it, with analysis and recommendations, to the Vice President for Educational Programs. The Vice President, Educational Programs and the dean will complete the Administrative Report and make their decisions and recommendations known to the department chair and program manager.
      
      
   8. When an additional review is requested by a dean or the Vice-President for Educational Programs or is triggered by the reports from Institutional Research, the Director of Educational Services and the dean will establish a time line appropriate for the added program review.

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