Institutional Effectiveness (Improve)

University Accreditation (UA) supports the ongoing process of collecting and analyzing data and implementing data-informed decisions as related to the goals and outcomes of the UNT mission. UA manages the Improve database (formerly known as TracDat) for institutional effectiveness (IE) plans, and reports institutional effectiveness to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Training for Institutional Effectiveness Planning

An online, self-service training course is available on UNT Bridge: Institutional Effectiveness Reporting Guidelines. This training is available for those responsible for IE planning for academic programs, student support services, and administrative areas.

Why Do We Have Institutional Effectiveness Plans at UNT?

The Institutional Effectiveness process is focused on improving UNT's student learning outcomes and services, while increasing student success and institutional quality.  Not only is it the right thing to do for our students and UNT, but including continuous improvement and innovation as part of the institutional culture ensures that student success and achievement are at the forefront of our mission.

UNT has built Institutional Effectiveness plans using Improve for all degrees and graduate certificates; as well as administrative, academic and student support, research and public service units.  In addition, UNT assesses the student learning outcomes of general education courses (core curriculum classes) in Improve.  All of these plans align with SACSCOC Core Requirements 7.1, 7.3, 8.1 and 8.2 which state:

Effective institutions demonstrate a commitment to the principles of continuous improvement. These principles are based on a systematic and documented process of assessing institutional performance with respect to mission in all aspects of the institution. An institutional planning and effectiveness process involves all programs, services and constituencies; is linked to the decision-making process at all levels; and provides a sound basis for budgetary decisions and resource allocations.

7.1.The institution engages in ongoing, comprehensive, and integrated research-based planning and evaluation processes that (a) focus on institutional quality and effectiveness and (b) incorporate a systematic review of institutional goals and outcomes consistent with its mission. (Institutional Planning) [CR]

7.3.The institution identifies expected outcomes of its administrative support services and demonstrates the extent to which the outcomes are achieved. (Administrative effectiveness)

8.1. The institution identifies, evaluates, and publishes goals and outcomes for student achievement appropriate to the institution's mission, the nature of the students it serves, and the kinds of programs offered. The institution uses multiple measures to document student success. (Student achievement) [CR]

8.2. The institution identifies expected outcomes, assesses the extent to which it achieves these outcomes, and provides evidence of seeking improvement based on analysis of the results in the areas below:

a. Student learning outcomes for each of its educational programs. (Student outcomes: educational programs)

b. Student learning outcomes for collegiate-level general education competencies of its undergraduate degree programs. (Student outcomes: general education)

c. Academic and student services that support student success. (Student outcomes: academic and student services)

-- SACSCOC  The Principles of Accreditation:  Foundations for Quality Enhancement

How Does UNT Document Institutional Effectiveness?

In 2008, UNT adopted TracDat as the university-wide database for the collection and storage of academic and administrative institutional effectiveness plans. In 2018, the vendor changed the name of the system to Improve.  Only minor changes occurred with the name change. University Accreditation (UA) oversees the administration of the database.  UNT's Strategic Plan goals, program objectives and copies of assessments, results and future plans are stored in the database, allowing for outcomes to be tracked across time.  Each assessment plan is reviewed and critiqued annually, in accordance with UNT's Institutional Effectiveness Plan.  

Institutional Effectiveness Timeline and Peer Reviews

In addition to the UA office, UNT utilizes peer-review committees to evaluate IE plans.  These committees score plans according to a rubric; provide feedback; and meet with those needing support.  University Accreditation is thankful for these voluntary members' service and dedication to UNT's Institutional Effectiveness Plan:

• Academic Institutional Effectiveness Review Committee
• Administrative Institutional Effectiveness Review Committee

UNT Institutional Effectiveness Timeline*

*Inquiries about timelines for Core assessment data should be directed to improve@unt.edu.

This timeline is only for IE purposes, and not for Core assessment.

 

What Tools are Available to Help With IE Plans and Improve?

The UA office is always available to support Improve users with their IE plans.  In additional to one-on-one support, the office has provided some tools assist with institutional effectiveness efforts.  Please contact the UA office if you have any questions.

Frequently Asked Questions on UNT's Institutional Effectiveness Process for Administrative Units

Institutional Effectiveness & Improve Tools

Other Assessment Organizations

• Assessment Commons- Most comprehensive site about higher education resources
• Association of American Colleges & Universities(AAC&U)- Access to their VALUE rubrics very helpful to many practitioners
• VALUE rubric page
• National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment (NILOA)- Well organized site that provides reports, occasional papers, blogs, etc. from national assessment leaders. In addition NILOA features some of the best institutional assessment sites.