What does QEP stand for?

Quality Enhancement Plan

Who is leading the QEP Team?

Kaye Betz is the chair of the QEP Committee. She is the Mathematics Department Coordinator at the Lakeland campus of Polk State College.

How was the chair selected?

Once it was determined that the QEP area would involve mathematics, Kaye Betz volunteered and was selected as the QEP chair.

Who is on the QEP Committee? 

What is the timeline for developing the QEP?

The QEP will be developed during the fall term (20101) and spring term (20102).

What document must we turn in to SACS?

We will turn in a 100-page Quality Enhancement Plan to SACS. This will be sent to SACS in July of 2010.

When will the QEP be implemented?

The QEP will be implemented in the fall of 2010 (Term 20111).

How long will we be implementing the QEP?

The QEP will be implemented for five years. An impact report will be completed at the end of the five years.

What are the guidelines for selecting a topic?

The QEP must have broad-based input, be tied to the school’s mission, focus on learning or the learning environment, and have the potential for widespread effect. The school must be financially able to support the plan.

What is the topic area of the QEP?

The topic area of the QEP is Mathematics, Intermediate Algebra in particular.

Who decided the topic of the QEP?

Input was gathered from faculty and staff. The suggestions focused on two areas – Mathematics and College Prep. The QEP Committee reviewed the suggestions made by faculty and staff. A review of the data, along with the suggestions made by faculty and staff, pointed to mathematics. The QEP Committee discussed the areas at great length and reviewed the data. Based on the suggestions and data review, the QEP Committee selected mathematics as the area to focus on, MAT 1033 in particular.

How does the QEP relate to our school’s mission?

PSC Mission: Polk State College is a quality-driven educational institution, providing access to affordable associate and baccalaureate degrees, career certificates, and workforce development programs, delivered by diverse, qualified faculty and staff who are committed to student learning and achievement through the consistent practice of collaboration and focus on excellence.  

Since Intermediate Algebra (MAT 1033) is required by many of our degrees and programs, the students will need to succeed in Intermediate Algebra in order for PSC to “provide access to … degrees … and programs.” Also, “qualified faculty and staff who are committed to student learning” supports our focus on learning.

How does the QEP relate to PSC’s strategic plan? 

The QEP will improve student learning and in so doing, it will also improve student success.

1.3: Enhance student success, particularly across all levels of remedial education.

As the implementation of the QEP develops, the QEP may relate to other specific objectives in PSC’s strategic plan as well.

Why does it take so long to develop the QEP?

The QEP is similar to our college doing a dissertation. First, selecting a topic requires input from all areas of the college. Then, an extensive literature review is conducted. Next, a review of PSC data, state data, and national data is also conducted. Surveys are then developed and conducted, and implementation ideas are gathered. Finally, assessment techniques are developed, and a five-year budget is developed.

Will students have any input?

Yes. Student focus groups were conducted this summer (20093). A student survey is being developed and will be administered to mathematics students in September.

Who will benefit from the QEP?

Everyone will benefit from the QEP, especially our students. 

Why do we need to do a QEP?

It is part of our SACS reaffirmation of accreditation.  It is specified in 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."

Rationale and Notes:

"The Principles of Accreditation attests to the commitment of the Commission on Colleges to the enhancement of the quality of higher education and to the proposition that student learning is at the heart of the mission of all institutions of higher learning. The Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) is a component of the accreditation process that reflects and affirms both of these commitments. Developing a QEP as part of the reaffirmation process is an opportunity and an impetus for an institution to enhance overall institutional quality and effectiveness by focusing on an issue or issues the institution considers important to improving student learning.

The QEP describes a carefully designed and focused course of action that addresses a well-defined topic or issue(s) directly related to enhancing student learning. Student learning is defined broadly in the context of the QEP and may address a wide range of topics or issues but, in all cases, the goals and evaluation strategies need to be clearly and directly linked to improving the quality of student learning. In order to ensure that the QEP is implemented, the institution integrates it into its ongoing planning and evaluation process.”

Can we just do the same thing another school did?

No. The QEP is specific to each institution’s needs.

SACS Note:"The QEP is a course of action that is specific to an institution and its mission. It is intended to be customized and designed to meet the needs of the particular institution. It is an opportunity for an institution to be creative in an area related to compliance with the Principles. Therefore, although an institution may want to study QEPs completed by other institutions, an institution’s QEP should reflect the needs of the institution and be customized to accomplish its goals.

At the time of the on-site review, the Commission expects an institution to have in place all components that are characteristic to any workable plan: (1) a focused topic (directly related to student learning), (2) clear goals, (3) adequate resources in place to implement the plan, (4) evaluation strategies for determining the achievement of goals, and (5) evidence of community development and support of the plan.”

Are we only doing this because SACS requires it?

No. Although it is a requirement, it is also an opportunity. The members of the Mathematics Department and the QEP Committee are determined to develop a viable plan that will help improve learning in Intermediate Algebra and, therefore, help our students succeed in their degrees and programs.

If the focus of our QEP is on mathematics, how can I be involved?

Many of the implementation strategies that will be developed for the teaching of mathematics can be applied to other areas as well. Implementation strategies have not yet been developed. They could very easily involve advising and other academic areas, especially if a learning-community approach or practical-application approach is taken.

How can I keep updated on the progress of the QEP?

This site will have up-to-date information on the QEP.