We can’t wait to welcome you to the 2023 Quality Assurance Symposium in just 5 weeks! Make the Crowne Plaza Indianapolis Downtown Union Station your destination for professional learning February 22-23. Preview the agenda on our website, and be sure to register by Valentine’s Day in order to get access to the Whova event app on the 15th. | |
New Year, New Initiatives | |
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A note from Mark LaCelle-Peterson, President & CEO
Educators get twice as many “New Years” as most others—one at the end of summer when school starts, and another with the rest of the population January 1—so happy New Year, again, from AAQEP!
AAQEP has high aspirations for 2023, starting with some big milestones this winter: We expect to sign on our 200th EPP member any day now, and the Accreditation Commission’s 100th accreditation action should land within the next month.
We’re also getting ready to celebrate AAQEP’s sixth annual Quality Assurance Symposium in February—it’s exciting to be back in person again, and we’ve come a long way since the first symposium in Baltimore in 2018!
In addition to celebrating these milestones, AAQEP is rolling out some exciting new initiatives in 2023. Just as a sneak preview, these include an “initial accreditation” pathway for newly launched programs and for providers whose states want a scaffolded transition to AAQEP; a new option for providers to document program-level quality in greater depth in their AAQEP reviews; and new technology systems for organizing and communicating the entire accreditation process. I’ll be sharing more information about these and other initiatives in Indianapolis as well as in subsequent communications in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, here’s wishing you all the best in 2023, and I hope to see you soon!
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Work With an AAQEP Consultant in 2023
Is your program in need of clarity or coaching for quality assurance work? AAQEP’s expert consultants can help you move forward with confidence!
Our consulting engagements are tailored to your specific goals and needs. Bring us to campus for a day, or opt for a virtual or hybrid consultation, to support your team in:
- Creating data analysis and reporting routines that yield results
- Strengthening internal support—from faculty and administration—for quality assurance efforts
- Making better use of data for program improvement
- Developing stronger stakeholder engagement strategies
- Planning accreditation self-studies
We'll work with you to design an agenda to meet your needs, from one-on-one coaching to a large-group presentation or facilitated workshop for faculty, stakeholders, and partners.
Act now to book your preferred dates for 2023!
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Congratulations on Your Accreditation | |
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Congratulations to the educator preparation providers that earned AAQEP accreditation in the past 2 months:
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Felician University (NJ)
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Meredith College (NC)
- University of the Virgin Islands
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Wheeling University (WV)
This brings the total number of providers with AAQEP-accredited programs to 77. Kudos to all!
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A note from Sara Hiller, Director of Accreditation Services
If you have a site visit in spring 2023, fall 2023, or spring 2024, please consider attending our Site Visit Essentials webinar on Friday, February 10. The webinar goes over timelines and logistics around the site visit process and only happens twice a year.
Here’s a quick overview of where the action is in the current AAQEP accreditation cycles. Remember to consult your Provider Review Timeline for details!
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Fall 2022 (21 site visits): The accreditation decision meetings are in progress. To see the Accreditation Commission’s action record, click here.
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Spring 2023 (18 site visits): Many spring reviews are underway, and I’m continuing to contact other spring visit hosts to confirm their Quality Review Teams.
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Fall 2023 (28 site visits): All site visit dates for the fall have been scheduled. Be sure to return your signed site visit letter to me and pay 50% of your site visit fee to confirm your dates. I will reach out to schedule your logistics calls in March. (And remember to get your draft QAR to us at least 9 months in advance if you want to take advantage of the new staff completeness check!)
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Spring 2024 (19 site visits): I’ve contacted you to start the process to choose your site visit dates. If you have not filled out the site visit dates and QAR information form already, please do so as soon as possible.
Visit our Member Resources web pages for guidance documents, templates, and other support for all stages of your quality assurance review, or contact me at s.hiller@aaqep.org with any questions.
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Special Online Meetings for Members | |
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Winter Member Quarterly:
Successfully Pairing Different Data Sources
February 7, 1:00-2:00 p.m. EST
Wondering how to make the most of your varied data sources? Curious about how different measures might come together to communicate a meaningful story documenting completer quality and articulate areas for continuous improvement? Come hear from your peers about their approaches to effectively pairing different data sources.
Presenters:
- Athena Novak, Concordia University, St. Paul
- Lynn Gehrke, Concordia University, St. Paul
- Ray Francis, Central Michigan University
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Collaborative Conversation:
Qualitative Methods for Stakeholder Data Collection
March 21, 1:00-2:00 p.m. EDT
Stakeholders often have valuable feedback regarding the quality of candidates and preparation programs. Their perspectives (program completers, graduates’ employers, and P-12 partners) are not only key in meeting evidence requirements of AAQEP Standard 1, but they also are valued participants in aspects of Standard 3. Traditionally, surveys have been the go-to method to gather these perspectives, but often poor response rates and limited responses miss the breadth and depth providers seek.
Join this facilitated conversation to learn how other providers are moving beyond surveys (and the anecdotal label!) and are incorporating qualitative methods into their evidence set yielding trustworthy and meaningful data for program improvement. Come ready to share your own approaches!
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Please give a warm welcome to the newest members of AAQEP:
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SPEDACTS (IN)
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SUNY Geneseo (NY)
Our membership now encompasses 196 EPPs in 32 states and other jurisdictions, in addition to our individual, organizational/corporate, and state members. We’re honored that you’ve chosen to work with AAQEP!
Thinking about membership? We’d love to work with you! Join us for an introductory webinar January 25, or see our website for details.
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AAQEP’s very own Linda McKee was recently a guest on NASDTEC’s “What’s Going On” podcast.
Give it a listen here!
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Thank You for the Annual Reports
We appreciate receiving the 2022 AAQEP Annual Reports and membership survey responses! Staff are currently reviewing the submissions and following up on any missing information.
We'll be updating our website and member database with report links and data soon. Members who submitted full Annual Reports will receive formal responses from staff by the end of April.
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Winter Workshop Series Starts Feb. 1 | |
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When time and budgets are in short supply, it can be challenging to stay on track with accreditation and improvement work. AAQEP is ready to support you with a series of affordable and convenient online workshops this winter.
These interactive sessions offer professional learning and guided planning for your program in four critical areas. Explore each theme in two online sessions on consecutive days.
Registration is now open for the following dates:
- Feb. 1-2: Making the Case for Quality
- Feb. 8-9: Ensuring Data Quality and Equity
- Mar. 8-9: Using Data to Sustain Improvement
- Mar. 22-23: Quality Implementation
Visit aaqep.org/workshops for details!
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Board Hellos and Good-Byes | |
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Congratulations to Joe Lubig (Associate Dean & Director, School of Education, Leadership, & Public Service, Northern Michigan University) on joining the AAQEP Board of Directors! Lubig, who also serves as chair of the Accreditation Commission, was nominated by the Nominating Committee and elected by the Board in December to a 4-year term that started January 1.
Joining Lubig’s “class of ’26” on the Board are four re-elected directors:
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Doretha Allen, Instructional Coach, Dallas Independent School District
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Chris Kalmus, Retired Co-Founder, LiveText
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Anthony Rivera, Vice Chancellor CEO, Universidad Ana G. Mendez, Carolina Campus
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John Watzke, Dean, School of Education, University of Portland
The Board’s four officers were also re-elected to 2-year terms:
- Chair: Sandra Doran, President, Bay Path University
- Vice Chair: Anthony Rivera, Vice Chancellor CEO, Universidad Ana G. Mendez, Carolina Campus
- Secretary: Tom Bordenkircher, Vice President for Accreditation Relations, Higher Learning Commission
- Treasurer: Virginia Goatley, Interim Dean, School of Education, University at Albany
Finally, at their December meeting, directors bade farewell to Phil Rogers, who was retiring as executive director of NASDTEC and declined to sit for re-election to the AAQEP Board.
Many thanks to all of these volunteer leaders for their service to AAQEP!
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AAQEP — Always improving together | | | | |
