ACSI HEAP Initial Self-Study Report Sample

Association of Christian Schools International / ACSI / Accreditation & Certification / ACSI HEAP Initial Self-Study Report Sample

History, Philosophy, Objectives:

  1. a brief statement presenting the history of the institution
  2. the institution's statement of purpose
  3. the institution's doctrinal statement
  4. a statement clarifying the institution's denominational affiliation or constituency
  5. a statement of purpose, objectives, and educational philosophy for the education department, indicating how these relate to the institutional purposes, objectives, and philosophy
  6. a statement of regional or state accreditation, program approvals, and any other professional affiliations
  7. a description of the history and development of the education department over the last five years (Distinguish between elementary and secondary; for secondary, present statistics forthe number of majors in each academic discipline.)
  8. the complete course requirements for the Christian philosophy of education course, or the course in which the material is covered, including a bibliography of required reading

Personnel

  1. Provide complete professional résumés for all education department faculty. Include educational background; experience, including type and length; and courses taught, past and present. Include all full- and part-time faculty, adjunct faculty, and those from other departments who are teaching courses in the education department curriculum, designating whether they are full- or part-time. Describe the Christian school experience of each education department faculty member.
  2. Describe the education department's criteria for hiring faculty members.
  3. Present the current teaching schedule and responsibilities of each faculty member within the program.
  4. Describe the program for faculty growth and enrichment, both institutionally and within the department.
  5. Describe the in-service programs the faculty members have provided for local Christian schools, either on campus or at those schools.
  6. Describe how members of the faculty are involved with developing materials and methods for Christian schools.

Instructional Program

  1. Present the minimum requirements for an education major. If the department offers several major fields of study, show the requirements for each major.
  2. Present copies of the education department course offerings, including course descriptions and a statement of clarification of any changes or variations from the catalog or other printedmaterial. (Course syllabi should be available in the workroom or provided on a flash drive for the visiting team.)
  3. Submit a sample of the degree program planning sheets for each major, showing the typical schedule for each year.
  4. Submit evidence that the ACSI certification requirements are being met for the Standard Teacher's Certificate and/or the Professional Administrator's Certificate.
  5. Describe the department's efforts to communicate the role and mission of the education program and the Christian school movement to the other departments of the college or university.
  6. Describe how the students are taught the principles of biblical integration and are encouraged to develop lessons that are distinctively Christian. How are principles and practices of integration taught by example within the department and throughout the college or university?
  7. Describe the required and optional field opportunities the students are given to gain classroom experience prior to student teaching.
  8. Describe the student teaching process: philosophy, organization, procedures, selection of schools and cooperating teachers, placement of students, and supervision. Indicate the numberof times each student is observed, by whom, what conferences are held, and what written reports are placed on file.
  9. Present a graduate placement list for the past three years. Identify the Christian schools on the list.
  10. Present the results of the most recent follow-up study made of education department graduates, including such things as placements, quality of preparation, and levels of success inteaching.
  11. If the education department has cooperative majors with other departments (such as music education or physical education), explain the following
    1. the relatioship of these majors to the education department
    2. the design for coordination between departments, the person responsible for the coordination, and the role of the education department chairperson
    3. the person responsible for the supervision of these student teachers
  12. Describe any creative or innovative elements that are in place or are being considered.
  13. Describe the expectations for students with regard to research and library / media center use.
  14. Indicate whether or not any significant departmental changes are expected in the program for students within the next three years.
  15. Describe the planning process for changes in courses or programs, including how these are proposed, approved, and initiated.
  16. Describe the process for placement of graduates. Assess the adequacy of this process.
  17. Indicate the Christian school conferences that faculty members and/or students have attended or participated in.

Admissions

  1. Describe the criteria and process for admitting students into the department. Include how students are assessed academically and otherwise in order to remain in the program. Explainhow students who do not show the potential for being successful Christian school educators are counseled and encouraged to seek other majors.
  2. Indicate how transfer students are enabled to meet all ACSI requirements prior to graduation:
    1. non-education majors from other institutions
    2. education majors from other institutions
    3. non-education majors from this institution

Library/Media Center/ Technology Services

  1. Discuss the adequacy of department holdings in the areas listed below. Distinguish between holdings in general education and those specifically about Christian education andChristian school education.
    1. books and reference materials
    2. periodicals
    3. curriculum lab materials
    4. media: hardware, software, supplies
    5. books and periodicals for secondary majors in related disciplines
  2. Indicate how students are encouraged to make maximum use of the library, curriculum lab, and media center.3. Present a copy of the current department library budget. If there are separate budgets, include the curriculum lab budget and the media budget.

Finances

  1. Present a copy of the education department budget for the past three years, including the current budget. Assess the adequacy and areas of need within the budget.
  2. Describe the department's purchasing plans and priorities.
  3. Explain how faculty input is utilized in budgeting.

Continuous Program Improvement

Provide a copy of the current department improvement plan. This should include a list, in order of priority, of improvements the department is considering. Explain how these priorities were decided and by whom. Also include a timetable for the accomplishment of these improvements.

Sign and Submit

 

HEAP Initial Self-Study Sample