Program Review

Waubonsee Community College’s educational programs are reviewed in a variety of ways, including the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) Program Evaluation and Review process that requires a systematic evaluation of institutional programs over a five-year cycle. The process provides a basis for program improvement, modification and/or elimination.

The multiple methods of program review include the following:

Outcomes assessment and data collection via WEAVEonline
Course outline revision
New program development
Institutional Research

Outcomes data collection has been improved with the addition of the WEAVEonline assessment data management and communication system. This web-supported system was purchased in the spring of 2006 and will be implemented throughout the 2006-2007 academic year. Once implemented, this system will allow for faculty to input data directly from their office computer and remove the need for formal written reports. This historical data will assist the college in making data-driven decisions which will support student learning.

Course Outline Revision

All course outlines are reviewed on a three-year cycle. Faculty and administrators review courses, make modification, create new courses and recommend course withdrawals. All changes are submitted to the Learning Content and Options Learning Excellence Team (Curriculum Council) for review and approval before they are sent to the ICCB. The Learning Content and Options Learning Excellence Team meets every two weeks during the fall and spring semesters. The team is chaired by the Assistant Vice President of Instruction and is comprised of faculty, administrative and student representatives, as well as several ex-officio support staff members.

New Program Development

As part of the program review process, new program ideas are often generated. A systematic process for the identification, design and development of new programs is in place under the leadership of the Assistant Vice President of Program Development and Distance Learning. The plan itself reflects the results of a collaborative process that includes analysis, research and design, development, feedback, and implementation of new programs. The plan is revised yearly and includes the collaboration of the academic deans for all credit and non-credit instructional areas, the Assistant Vice President of Instruction, and the Assistant Vice President of Program Development and Distance Learning. This program development plan also identifies and implements the idea of “anytime, anywhere” learning.

Institutional Research

Due to the college’s organizational restructuring, the Institutional Research department and The Outcomes Program (TOP) were placed under the direction of the Vice President of Quality and Strategic Development. This realignment has allowed for greater collaboration and communication between the two departments and facilitates the creation of a culture of evidence. This relationship will continue to broaden and deepen based on the data needs for program review and other projects that require data collection.

New ICCB Program Review Guidelines

Under the new 2007 Program Review Guidelines, ICCB requires that all colleges review their programs annually to determine the need, quality and cost of the program individually and in relation to similar programs. This program review process follows the schedule and guidelines outlined in this document which adhere to the ICCB Program Review Guidelines. The Statewide Program Review System recognizes that individual colleges have the primary responsibility to evaluate instructional programs, to make decisions about improvement and continuation, assure that program review results are considered in campus planning and budget development, and to report results to the Illinois Community College Board.

Related Material

FY08 Program Review Report

FY07 Program Review Report

WCC Program Review Guidelines

WCC 5 Year Program Review Schedule