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Program Review


2023-2024 Program Review Timeline

Training location information available on CTL online PD document.
Date Role Action
December Authors
  • Friday, December 1, 2023 12:00-1:30 PM
    • Program Review Training (first of three scheduled options)
January Authors
  • Thursday, January 11, 2024 from 10:30-11:50 AM
    • Program Review Training
  • Monday, January 29, 2024 from 3:00-5:00 PM
    • Program Review Training
March Authors
  • Friday, March 8, 2024
    • Program Review Due
April Authors
  • Wednesday, April 3rd 1-3pm
    Thursday, April 4th 1-3pm
    • Program Review Presentations in Student Center Board Room

What is program review?

Comprehensive program review occurs on a cyclical basis and is designed to foster a collaborative process of analysis, dialogue, and reflection which results in actionable goals for program enhancement. Program-level objectives are inspired by the institution's strategic goals which also encompass its overarching commitment to social justice and equity.

Who participates?

Program-level planning units participate in the program review process. A program-level planning unit has a distinct purpose that contributes to achievement of the college mission and shares the characteristics below.

Instructional Planning Units Student Support Planning Units Institutional/Administrative Support Planning Units
Typical Organization Instruction Student Services President's Office Administrative Services
Typical Review Aspects Effectiveness in terms of:
  • Curriculum offerings
  • Programs of study (degrees/certificates)
  • Instructional methods
  • Student success and achievement
  • Equity and access
  • Enrollment/FTES/productivity
  • Retention and persistence
  • Staffing levels and structure
  • Partnerships and synergies
  • Transfer/employment outcomes
  • Professional development
Effectiveness in terms of:
  • Service offerings
  • Service usage, design, and information
  • Student success related to service participation
  • Student engagement
  • Equity and access
  • Service persistence
  • Staffing levels and structure
  • Partnerships and synergies
  • Service outcomes specific to unit (e.g., admission yield)
  • Professional development
Effectiveness in terms of:
  • Role in mission achievement
  • Support offerings and usage
  • Access and equity
  • Staffing levels and structure
  • Resource development and management (physical, financial, information, and technology resources)
  • Safety and sustainability
  • Partnerships and synergies
  • Support outcomes specific to unit (e.g., response time)
  • Student support (e.g., printing)
  • Professional development
Examples Foreign Languages, Automotive Technology Financial Aid, DSPS & LD Maintenance, Business Office
CHARACTERISTICS SHARED BY ALL PROGRAM-LEVEL PLANNING UNITS
Size (Level) Larger than a committee, but smaller than a division; often comprised of a department or group of related departments
Personnel Has one or more employees assigned to it as their primary role at the college (new/emerging planning units which have not yet been staffed are the exception; should be staffed by first review cycle)
Duration Has an ongoing presence without a defined end date
Local Role Exists as a local college entity, not just the implementation of a state initiative
Autonomy Is a discrete unit for planning purposes which does not exist within or overlap with another program-level planning unit; may exist within a division or other grouping
Resources May request resources through the annual unit planning process
Accreditation Functions under the purview of the college for accreditation purposes

A single planning unit may combine instructional and student support components. Inclusion or exclusion from program review processes can be determined based on the characteristics above. Having the naming convention of “program” such as Dual Enrollment Program or a program listed in Socrates does not automatically indicate an entity that should separately participate in program review. Multiple degrees/certificates may be represented by the same program-level planning unit.

A program-level planning unit is never:

  • A time-limited initiative such as a short-term project funded through a Title III grant
  • A district-level entity that is not under the college purview
  • A governance group such as Academic Senate
  • A student-run entity such as a student newspaper (although it may be included under an instructional or student support unit)
  • A separate corporate entity, public agency, or 501(c)(3) organization that has a presence on campus
  • A shared initiative to which multiple programs contribute
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