Comprehensive Program Review
System Overview
The revised comprehensive program review (CPR) procedures recommended in the Program Review Task Force Final Report went into effect Fall, 2009 (see Report for details). The focus of the new CPR process is on quality campus-based program review with the System Office playing an oversight role to ensure USG institutions are engaged in robust review processes and student learning assessment that culminates in continuous improvement in academic degree programs and general education. To that end, each institution will establish a comprehensive program review process that will be reviewed and endorsed by a review team coordinated by the Office of Academic Affairs. Key components of institutional processes will include a required review of general education (i.e., the core curriculum) and specific degree program goals related to diversity. Institutions are also encouraged to review groups of courses considered a program (e.g., English as a Second Language, First Year Experience, etc.). The review team will also conduct spot audits of institutional reviews through an institutional password protected website. To facilitate campus-based reviews, the System Office will provide annual program enrollment threshold reports for informational purposes and resources to advance best practices in CPR across the USG. The System Office objective is to emphasize quality assurance, facilitation, and support.
Institutional Responsibilities
Each institution will be responsible for maintaining and enhancing their existing CPR processes but develop a system of reporting to the System Office through a password protected web-based institutional portal. Each institution’s website should include a description of the CPR process on their campus with a focus on building a culture of evidence to use CPR results to inform curricular change, program development, resource allocation, etc. A culture of evidence includes the indictors or outcomes collected, tracked and analyzed to help determine how to improve the quality of a program. A timeline indicating when degree programs and general education have been or will be reviewed (all new degree programs must be reviewed within seven years of Board approval) must also be available on the website. Institutions are encouraged to use the results of program accreditation reports to inform CPR. Although accreditation reports cannot be used as substitutes, information generated from and in preparation for those reports can be used as part of programmatic comprehensive review.
Implementing the New Core Curriculum
- Implementation Steps, Timeline and Resources
- Cycle for Institutional Review of the New Core Curriculum