Issue Date: 2/22/10
Making the grade: School officials complete report on accreditation
As students progress into a semester full of papers and exams, Palomar administrators are busy working on a report of their own.
Students may have seen the red accreditation icon displayed on the college's Web site, but aren't necessarily familiar with the issues at hand. The function of accreditation is to ensure that colleges meet certain standards.
During a routine site visit, a team of representatives found key areas in which Palomar did not meet accreditation requirements. Palomar was placed on warning status.
After countless drafts and man-hours, the college is putting final touches on a 54-page follow-up report due March 15.
Ann Hong, president of Palomar's Associated Student Government, was part of a group that worked on the report.
"Everyone should be aware and know about accreditation process," Hong said in an e-mail.
Palomar administrators are hopeful the report will be successful in demonstrating that the college has addressed recommendations.
"The faculty and staff have done an outstanding job," Palomar President Robert Deegan said. "We are as far along as we could be at this point."
Deegan said that as the college has addressed each of the recommendations, it has also begun implementing them.
Integrated Planning, Evaluation and Resource Allocation
Recommendation No. 1 was about "matching the budget to our priorities," according to Berta Cuaron, the college's accreditation liaison officer.
Deegan said a new planning model is being developed with each of the college's departments in mind.
"We have college-wide objectives that we need to meet. The information is based on what they need for the future or students," Deegan said.
Student Learning Outcomes
By 2012, all accredited colleges are required to easily access data related to classroom objectives. Data is then used when planning in order to meet needs.
As of June 1, Palomar had this information available for 30 of its more than 1,700 courses. Now, 1,415 courses are on board.
"It is asking that we are continually assessing how college students are doing and that we continue to make changes," Cuaron said.
Distance Learning
Under another recommendation, online and other distance courses offered by Palomar should offer the same quality of instruction as a traditional classroom.
"There is a niche for that type of learning. It is an important mode of teaching and learning," Deegan said. "We want to ensure that students have the resources they need to be successful online.
Cuaron said a committee of faculty members has developed a checklist for developing an online course.
The new plan also involves getting students to provide feedback about their online experience.
Submitting the Report
The follow-up report will go before Palomar's governing board for approval. Once finalized, it will be sent to the accrediting commission, where a committee will evaluate Palomar's progress. The committee will also visit the college again.
The college's absolute goal is to get reaffirmed, Cuaron said.
Hong said she strongly believes Palomar College is going to be taken off warning status.
"Palomar College is one of the best colleges in California, and getting a warning was just an opportunity for us to improve," Hong said.
Students may have seen the red accreditation icon displayed on the college's Web site, but aren't necessarily familiar with the issues at hand. The function of accreditation is to ensure that colleges meet certain standards.
During a routine site visit, a team of representatives found key areas in which Palomar did not meet accreditation requirements. Palomar was placed on warning status.
After countless drafts and man-hours, the college is putting final touches on a 54-page follow-up report due March 15.
Ann Hong, president of Palomar's Associated Student Government, was part of a group that worked on the report.
"Everyone should be aware and know about accreditation process," Hong said in an e-mail.
Palomar administrators are hopeful the report will be successful in demonstrating that the college has addressed recommendations.
"The faculty and staff have done an outstanding job," Palomar President Robert Deegan said. "We are as far along as we could be at this point."
Deegan said that as the college has addressed each of the recommendations, it has also begun implementing them.
Integrated Planning, Evaluation and Resource Allocation
Recommendation No. 1 was about "matching the budget to our priorities," according to Berta Cuaron, the college's accreditation liaison officer.
Deegan said a new planning model is being developed with each of the college's departments in mind.
"We have college-wide objectives that we need to meet. The information is based on what they need for the future or students," Deegan said.
Student Learning Outcomes
By 2012, all accredited colleges are required to easily access data related to classroom objectives. Data is then used when planning in order to meet needs.
As of June 1, Palomar had this information available for 30 of its more than 1,700 courses. Now, 1,415 courses are on board.
"It is asking that we are continually assessing how college students are doing and that we continue to make changes," Cuaron said.
Distance Learning
Under another recommendation, online and other distance courses offered by Palomar should offer the same quality of instruction as a traditional classroom.
"There is a niche for that type of learning. It is an important mode of teaching and learning," Deegan said. "We want to ensure that students have the resources they need to be successful online.
Cuaron said a committee of faculty members has developed a checklist for developing an online course.
The new plan also involves getting students to provide feedback about their online experience.
Submitting the Report
The follow-up report will go before Palomar's governing board for approval. Once finalized, it will be sent to the accrediting commission, where a committee will evaluate Palomar's progress. The committee will also visit the college again.
The college's absolute goal is to get reaffirmed, Cuaron said.
Hong said she strongly believes Palomar College is going to be taken off warning status.
"Palomar College is one of the best colleges in California, and getting a warning was just an opportunity for us to improve," Hong said.
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