2006 QEP: What Is A QEP?

A Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) is

• A required aspect of the SACS accreditation process
• “The QEP describes a carefully designed and focused course of action that addresses a well-defined topic or issues related to enhancing student learning”
• “A consensus among key constituency groups that the QEP, rather than being merely a requirement for reaffirmation of accreditation can result in significant, even transforming, improvements in the quality of student learning.”

Character of the QEP:

• Is not a substitute for strategic planning, but an outgrowth of planning
• May not describe initiatives that are fully realized, but it “extends, modifies, redirects, or strengthens an improvement that is already under way.”
• “Requires allocation of adequate human and financial resources to develop, implement, and sustain the QEP.”

Logistics of the QEP:

• Broad-based institutional participation
• Careful review of best practices
• Time line for implementation, assignment of responsibility, resource allocation, assessment schedule
• Structure for evaluating the extent to which the goals will be attained (5 year impact report)
• Quantitative and qualitative evaluation strategies for impact of QEP on quality of student learning
• Focused on undergraduate education, but will reflect initiatives for the graduate and profession programs

* — Quotations from the SACS Handbook for Reaffirmation of Accreditation