The Quality Enhancement
Plan
(QEP)
SACS Principles of Accreditation
Integrity
Quality Enhancement
Quality Enhancement
“The concept of quality enhancement is at
the heart of the Commission’s philosophy
of accreditation; this presumes each
member institution to be engaged in an
ongoing program of improvement…
SACS – Two Parts
Certificate of Compliance
Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP)
Certificate of Compliance
HCC will signify its compliance, partial
compliance or non-compliance with the
core requirements, comprehensive
standards, and federal regulations that
SACS requires for accreditation.
SACS Core Requirement 2.12
“Core Requirement 2.12 requires an
institution to develop an acceptable
Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) and
show that the plan is part of an ongoing
planning and evaluation process.”
“Engaging the wider academic community,
the QEP is based upon a comprehensive
and thorough analysis of the effectiveness
of the learning environment for supporting
student learning and accomplishing the
mission of the institution.”
QEP
“An opportunity for the institution to enhance
overall institutional quality and
effectiveness by focusing on an issue the
institution considers important to improving
student learning”
QEP
A carefully designed and focused course of
action
QEP
Addressing a well-defined topic of issue
QEP
An emphasis on enhancing student learning
QEP
“Student learning may include changes in
students’ knowledge, skills, behaviors,
and/or values that may be attributable to
the collegiate experience.”
QEP Requirements
Broad-based institutional participation in
the identification of the topic or issue
Careful review of best practices related to
the topic or issue
Allocation of sufficient resources – human
and financial – to develop, implement and
sustain the plan
QEP Requirements
Implementation strategies that include a
clear timeline and assignment of
responsibilities
A structure established for evaluating the
extent to which the goals set for the plan
are attained
SACS Core Requirement 2.12
The institution has developed an acceptable
Quality Enhancement Plan and
demonstrates that the plan is part of an
ongoing planning and evaluation process.
QEP Topics
FCCJ –
– Increase the fall-to-fall retention rate of our
college preparatory students;
– Increase the success rates of college
preparatory students; and,
– Increase the program completion rate of
college preparatory students.
QEP Topics
USF - Development of an undergraduate
research program within the General
Education Curriculum
Richland College – Assessment of student
outcomes
Central Texas – Creating a culture that
enhances student learning
QEP Topics
LSU - Enhancing Students’ Academic
Experiences through Scholarly and
Creative Activity
LSU at Shreveport - “enhancing student
learning by improving advising.”
QEP Topics
Guilford Tech. CC - enhancing students’
employability skills
University of Alabama – active and
collaborative learning in 1st year classes
Your role
For HCC to retain its SACS accreditation,
your input into the development of the
QEP and your knowledge of the chosen
QEP are essential!