Guide to Acronyms and Terms for SACS
Reaffirmation and QEP Development
|
Acronym/Term |
Definition |
|
COC |
Commission on Colleges of
the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). For more information
on the COC, see http://www.sacscoc.org/about.asp |
|
CCSSE |
Community College Survey of
Student Engagement. The CCSSE is a national survey launched in 2001 by the
Community College Leadership Program at the |
|
CCFSSE |
Community College Faculty
Survey of Student Engagement. The national survey “elicits information from
faculty about their teaching practices, the ways they spend their
professional time, both in and out of class, and their perceptions regarding
students’ educational experiences.” Tri-County’s LEI proposal calls for using
the CCFSSE as one to tool to measure effectiveness of the LEI and to provide
comparisons with the institution as a whole and with other community
colleges. |
|
FYISA |
First Year Initiative
Seminar Assessment. The FYISA is published by Educational Benchmarks, Inc.
Tri-County’s LEI proposal calls for using the FYI Seminar Assessment as one
tool to measure the effectiveness of the new Freshman Seminar course (COL
105). The instrument measures a number of important factors, including study
strategies, academic and cognitive skill development, connections with
faculty and peers, out-of-class engagement with the institution, knowledge of
campus policies, ability to manage time, and several other factors. The FYISA
also provides the capability to add several locally designed questions. Students
will be able to complete the assessment online. |
|
LEI |
Learning Excellence Initiative.
The LEI is the name of Tri-County’s QEP plan to enhance student learning.
(The QEP plan must be approved by SACS in order to meet reaffirmation
requirements. The College has five years to implement the approved plan but
the initiative must continue beyond the five years.) (For additional
information, see articles posted in “QEP Initiative News” and “QEP Initiative
Links” in this portal.) |
|
QEP |
Quality Enhancement Plan. A
QEP plan focused on enhancing student learning must be approved by SACS in
order to meet reaffirmation requirements. |
|
Reaffirmation |
Sometimes called
“reaccreditation.” For general information, see: http://www.sacscoc.org/genaccproc.asp Accreditation is essential
for colleges and universities. As stated on the back2college.com website:
“There are several reasons accreditation is important besides ensurance of
quality and adherence to academic standards. Accreditation determines a
school's eligibility for participation in federal (Title IV) and state
financial aid programs. Proper accreditation is also
important for the acceptance and transfer of college credit, and is a
prerequisite for many graduate programs.” |
|
SBI |
Study Behavior Inventory. A
short, diagnostic/prescriptive survey that helps students assess
their study behaviors (short-term and long-term) and their academic
confidence. Tri-County’s LEI proposal calls for using the SBI as one of the
learning tools in the new Freshman Seminar course (COL 105). |
|
SACS |
Southern Association of
Colleges and Schools. According to the SACS website: “The Commission on
Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is the
recognized regional accrediting body in the eleven U.S. Southern states
(Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina,
South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia) and in Latin America for those
institutions of higher education that award associate, baccalaureate, master's
or doctoral degrees. The Commission on Colleges is the representative body of
the College Delegate Assembly and is charged with carrying out the
accreditation process.” (For additional information, access the link “Quality
Enhancement Plan/Process Overview” in the “Archived Materials and
Information” news section of the portal.) |