Using the New CAS Standards to
Assess Your Transfer Student
Programs and Services
Janet Marling, Executive Director
National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students
Melissa Mahan, Associate Dean Student Affairs
Northeastern State University
11th Annual Conference ~ NISTS
Frisco, Texas ~ February 1, 2013
Session Outline
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Brief Overview and History of CAS and General
Standards
Standards and Guidelines for Transfer Student
Programs and Services
Assessment and the Standards for Transfer Student
Programs and Services
Questions
Action Planning
Brief Overview and History of
CAS and General Standards
Campuses Utilization of CAS
Assessment Results
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Measure program and service results
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Institutional self-studies
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Preparation for accreditation
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Design of new programs
Campuses Utilization of CAS
Assessment Results
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Staff development
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Academic preparation
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Credibility and accountability
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Strategic planning
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Budget allocation (Mable & Dean, 2006)
How do you anticipate using the
new CAS standards and guidelines?
Standards and Guidelines for
Transfer Student Programs and
Services
Standards and Guidelines for Transfer
Student Programs and Services
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Development and associated challenges
◦ TSPS differ in centralization
◦ TSPS are influenced by external forces
◦ State approaches influence TSPS
◦ Students transfer to/from all types of institutions
◦ Collaborations pivotal
◦ What is the goal of these programs? Graduation?
Transition? Student Success?
Standards and Guidelines for Transfer
Student Programs and Services
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Standard Overview
◦ Mission
The mission of Transfer Student Programs and Services (TSPS) is to aid
in the successful transfer, persistence, and graduation of transfer
students.To accomplish the mission, TSPS must facilitate seamless
pathways among and within institutions to support transfer students at
all stages of their transitions.
◦ Program
◦ Organization and Leadership
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TSPS cross-functional and divisional reporting lines must be located in the
organizational department or division that can best provide effective programming
and services for achievement of the mission.
◦ Human Resources
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TSPS professional staff members must possess the skills and competencies needed
to provide assistance to prospective and enrolled transfer students.
Standards and Guidelines for Transfer
Student Programs and Services
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Standard Overview
◦ Law, Policy and Governance
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TSPS staff members must ensure that all transfer policies, including an appeals
process, are publicly available for review prior to the student's commitment to
transfer.
TSPS should encourage 2-year and 4-year institutions to collaborate in the
development of policies and processes to reverse-award associate degrees to
students.
◦ Diversity, Equity and Access
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All transfer-related marketing and forms must clearly state student rights and
responsibilities in the transfer process. Practices must be congruent with
institutional policies on equal opportunity access.
◦ Institutional and External Relations
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TSPS must develop and maintain collaborative relationships between sending and
receiving institutions.
TSPS must develop and maintain a relationship with those responsible for the
orientation of new students.
TSPS must be aware of governmental units responsible for laws, policies, and
regulations relevant to transfer matriculation and maintain relationships with
them.
Standards and Guidelines for Transfer
Student Programs and Services
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Standard Overview
◦ Financial Resources
 TSPS should be funded at the same cost/student ratio as services for the
institution's first-time, first-year student population.
◦ Technology
 If the institution equips first-time first-year students with specific
technology, then the institution should provide new transfer students
with the same technology.
◦ Facilities and Equipment
◦ Assessment and Evaluation
 TSPS must collaborate with appropriate partners to conduct research
and collect data regarding transfer students. Results must be shared
with students, staff, and faculty at both sending and receiving
institutions.
Standards and Guidelines for Transfer
Student Programs and Services
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Program Section
◦ The formal education of students, consisting
of the curriculum and the co-curriculum, must
promote student learning and development
outcomes that are purposeful, contribute to
students’ realization of their potential, and
prepare students for satisfying and productive
lives.
Standards and Guidelines for Transfer
Student Programs and Services
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Transfer Student Programs and Services
must:
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Serve as a contact
Connect students
Facilitate seamless transfer
Advocate
Inform
Provide access
Participate
Collaborate
Assessment and the Standards
for TSPS
Assessment and the Standards for
TSPS
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Assessment allows us to:
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find out who your transfer students are;
define a vision for transfer student success;
review and assess current policies and procedures;
evaluate current programs and create programs to
support transfer student success;
◦ create new programs and services focused on the
needs of transfer students; and
◦ evaluate the new programs through new
institutional outcomes to ensure transfer student
success.
Questions for consideration prior
to executing an assessment plan
What is the purpose for assessing your
TSPS?
 How much do you want to know as a
result of your assessment?
 Are there institutional/departmental
agendas driving the assessment?
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CAS recommended assessment
process
Assemble your team
 Educate your team
 Review current evidence of current
practices and conduct rating process
 Complete an action plan
 Prepare assessment report
 Close the loop
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Questions On the Process?
Brainstorming and Action
Planning