College of the Redwoods Integrated Planning Model and Quick Reference Guide – FAQs Q: What is integrated planning? A: 1) The standards for accreditation from the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) indicate that ongoing, systematic, and integrated planning is the means through which institutions facilitate student learning, assess learning, and strive to improve learning. Integration takes place when the results of assessment and evaluation are incorporated into institutional planning and budgeting. According to ACCJC standards, human, physical, technical, and financial resources must be integrated into ongoing, cyclical planning and budgeting processes. 2) At College of the Redwoods, institution wide and program‐level planning, budgeting, and evaluation activities are mutually informing. Institution‐wide planning and budgeting is informed by program‐level assessment and evaluation, and program plans are aligned with institutional plans. Q: How does integrated planning work? A: 1) Through alignment: All planning at the college is guided by the college’s mission, vision, and values, followed by the strategic plan and the education master plan. Functional plans such as the technology plan and facilities plan are also guided by these higher‐level institutional plans. The college will develop an institutional action plan each year to prioritize elements of multi‐year plans for each year. Each program or department is encouraged to develop plans in alignment with these institutional plans. 2) Through assessment and evaluation: Institutional and program plans are expected to be evaluated and updated on an annual basis. All student learning and administrative outcomes must be assessed on a regular basis to inform quality improvement efforts. 3) Through prioritization and institutional support: Plans and initiatives, aligned with institutional planning priorities and/or linked to assessment results, may require institutional support. Requests for funding or other support is sought through the college’s program review process. 4) Through institutional dialogue: Integrated planning works best when the college is engaged in robust institutional dialogue about student learning and achievement and institutional effectiveness. Q: What does integrated planning mean at the program/department level? A: 1) Each staff and faculty member should participate in assessment of outcomes and evaluation of program plans. 2) Each staff and faculty member should participate in the program review process – most years this will be an annual update, and sometimes this will be a comprehensive program review. Through the program review process trends or themes may be identified that inform the updates. 3) Every year program plans should be updated to respond to outcomes assessment and/or the evaluation of program plans. Plans should be aligned with institutional plans such as the strategic plan or education master plan or other functional plans. 4) If institutional support for plans is requested, resource requests, supported by data, can be submitted through the program review process.