Higher Learning Commission accepts KU’s Quality Initiative

LAWRENCE — After years of development and implementation, the University of Kansas’ Quality Initiative has been approved by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Through participation from faculty, collaboration among academic units and support services, and leadership from the Quality Initiative Steering Committee, KU’s final report, “Developing and Scaling an Integrated Structure of Evidence-Based Assessment to Foster a Culture of Continuous Quality Improvement,” was recognized for its genuine effort and engagement, scope and impact on the institution and resource provision.

“Congratulations to all our faculty, academic staff and partners for helping facilitate a successful Quality Initiative,” said Jen Roberts, senior vice provost for academic affairs and graduate studies. “Our reaffirmation of accreditation planning team and I thank and appreciate your efforts and involvement in activities over the last few years.”

As a part of the 10-year reaffirmation of accreditation, the HLC requires an institution to designate one major improvement effort to be undertaken during its yearslong cycle as its Quality Initiative. The Quality Initiative takes place between years 5 and 9 of the cycle.

Structured in three primary phases, KU’s Quality Initiative focused on a weakness identified by the HLC in its midcycle review in 2019 related to Criterion 4 — Teaching & Learning: Evaluation and Improvement. A steering committee co-chaired by Neal Kingston, vice provost of Jayhawk Global, and Michelle Carney, dean of the School of Social Welfare, led the project. The goals of this project involved:

• Implementing a universitywide assessment framework aligning Institutional Learning Goals (ILGs) with general education program outcomes (KU Core).
• Enhancing degree-level assessment at KU Lawrence and Edwards by developing degree maps that integrate and align learning outcomes with ILGs for all programs.
• Revising academic review process at KU Lawrence and Edwards to better align degree-level outcomes assessment with budgeting, operations and strategic planning for continuous improvement.

Members of the Quality Initiative Steering Committee reflected on the progress of KU’s revamped assessment framework before the report was submitted to the HLC, noting higher participation in the more streamlined process.

“The magnitude of the increase in participation in annual assessment activities has been impressive, rising from a faculty participation rate of about 63% in AY2019 and 2020 to an average of 97% in AYs ’21, ’22 and ’23,” one member said. “It is unlikely that would have occurred without the emphasis of this quality initiative.”

“Huge progress has been made regarding the development and implementation of the universitywide assessment framework,” another member added. “Merging a consistency of approach with an overt acceptance of discipline-specific assessment needs has started our move from compliance to culture change.”

The full report can be read and is available online.

What’s next?

KU will continue the momentum of a successful Quality Initiative project for the upcoming comprehensive HLC site visit on March 3-4, 2025. A site visit is required for every 10 years of institutional accreditation, a status KU has held since 1913. KU’s accreditation committee members have prepared a self-study, or Assurance Argument, complete with hundreds of pieces of evidence, which will be evaluated by the review team. To prepare the university for the site visit, the campus community is asked to participate in an HLC Mock Site Review on Sept. 9 (Lawrence) and Sept. 10 (KU Medical Center).

Resources

Members of the reaffirmation of accreditation planning team are conducting contextualized information sessions to departments and units. Everyone is encouraged to accept these invitations and be an active participant in the accreditation process. The community can read the current version of the Assurance Argument, review informational training slides and stay informed on upcoming events at the KU accreditation website.

For additional information or questions, please email the HLC team.