Peer Review
Peer review is a central pillar to the accreditation process.
There are benefits for both the institution and the reviewer.
Institutional Benefits
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External Validation – Peer reviewers provide an external perspective on operations, programs and practices
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Quality Assurance
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Benchmarking – Peer reviewers bring insights and best practices from their own institutions
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Expertise – Peer reviewers are experienced educators whose knowledge and insights can be invaluable in assessing quality and effectiveness
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Enhanced accountability – Peer reviewers play a crucial role in holding institutions accountable for their commitments and the quality of education they provide
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Public confidence –Accreditation can boost public confidence. Peer review ensures objectivity, increasing public confidence in the process
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Data-driven decision making – Peer reviewers ensure data is assessed objectively and can guide evidence-based decision making
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Colleges and universities benefit from using peer reviewers in the accreditation process by gaining external validation, ensuring quality, fostering continuous improvement, and aligning with best practices and standards in higher education. Accreditation and peer review help institutions maintain accountability and enhance their standing in the educational community.
Peer Reviewer Benefits
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Contribution to Quality Education – your insights and recommendations can help institutions enhance operations
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Professional Development – you gain a deeper understanding and enhance skills
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Networking
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Broadening perspectives – you are exposed to a variety of educational approaches, structures and challenges
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Giving back to the community – serving as a peer reviewer is away to give back to the educational community and contribute to the greater good
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Influence on education policy – your recommendations and insights may help shape educational policies and practices
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Civic engagement – you are actively engaging in civic responsibility and helping to uphold educational standards for the benefit of society
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Serving as a peer reviewer for accreditation offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to education, further your professional development, and engage with the broader educational community. It can be a fulfilling and enriching experience for educators and administrators who are committed to maintaining and improving the quality of higher education
Section 1 – Evaluation Team Resources
The following documents may prove helpful as you engage in the Self-Study review process and prepare for and participate in the Evaluation Team Visit.
Section 2 – Evaluation Instruments
The following forms constitute the Evaluation Instruments that an Evaluation Team member, Team Chair, or both must complete. A number of these forms will be completed by the Chair in consultation with the other Evaluation Team members.
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All Team Members
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Reliability and Validity Study – this form must be completed before the team proceeds to the other evaluation instruments.
Team Chair Only
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Evaluation Team Consensus – to be completed by the Chair in consultation with all Evaluation Team members
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Evaluation Team Recommendation – to be completed by the Chair in consultation with all Evaluation Team members
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Team Member Evaluation – to be completed by the Chair – one evaluation for each team member
Evaluation Team Orientation
f you have served on TRACS teams before, you know that during the initial team meeting on the afternoon of the first day of the visit, we reviewed the Evaluation Team Orientation PowerPoint. However, now the initial team meeting on the first day will focus on specifics for this visit and as a review of general visit expectations. In order to ensure that all Evaluation Team members are properly oriented and reminded of certain matters, we ask that you review the Evaluation Team Orientation video using the button below