Academic Program Improvement Process

As an institution that focuses on the principles of high performance, learning-centeredness and continuous improvement, Aims has developed processes and guidelines to ensure academic programs are reviewed for improvement.   Aims uses as diverse a picture of academic program performance as possible. Evidence is gathered from multiple sources of different types in order to determine data and information patterns for more reliable results in assessing a program’s strengths and opportunities for improvement.  Some of these sources of information include:

• Internally created mechanisms such as faculty evaluation performance plans, internal program reviews, observations of instruction, course/instructor surveys, program improvement survey/plans, advisory committee evaluations and General Education Assessment Plans
• External surveys and reviews, such as the Survey of Entering Student Engagement (SENSE) and the College Survey of Student Engagement/Community College Faculty Survey of Student Engagement (CCSSE/CCFSSE), Colorado Community College external program review for Career and Technical Education programs
• College AQIP Action Projects (in particular those which focus on Student Learning)

After collecting information, the utmost priority is to use the information to ensure that academic programs assess for improvement and “close the loop” so that trends and/or concerns are addressed, and action is taken to drive the changes necessary for improvement based upon the information acquired.  Follow-up actions are also monitored and assessed for effectiveness, creating an effective review cycle.