ACC Faculty Evaluation Proposed Revisions – Process & Timeline

Research

Internal and external research was conducted to determine the proposed revisions. The Office of Faculty Development and the Faculty Evaluation Work Group leaders surveyed department chairs twice and met with all instructional deans to learn more about their use of faculty evaluations and to obtain their suggestions for revisions to the existing process. Interviews were also conducted with seven other institutions to learn about their evaluation process and what they thought should be changed in the process. The institutions interviewed were Baltimore College, City Colleges of Chicago, Valencia College, Tarrant Community College, Eastern Shore Community College, Reynolds Community College, and Simon Fraser University in British Columbia.

Not surprisingly, common themes emerged from the research:

• • Take a holistic approach
  • Allow for in-depth self-reflection throughout
  • Identify a standard set of teaching dimensions
  • Use a simplified overall rating system
  • Adopt a formative approach
  • Rely less on student course evaluation numerical ranges
  • Connect faculty excellence to rewards and recognition

 

Foundational Shifts to the Evaluation Process

Based on the research and the 2018 survey, the Faculty Evaluation Work Group determined that making three foundational shifts in the evaluation process would make faculty evaluations more equitable, meaningful, and actionable. These shifts form the basis of the evaluation process that we are proposing.

Proposed Foundational Shifts

More Equitable, Meaningful, Transparent, Consistent Evaluation System

 

Shift to Incorporate	Intended Outcome
360 Perspective	More equitable and meaningful feedback from multiple perspectives( self-reflection, students, peers, formative and summative)
Faculty Experience Framework	Greater flexibility in addressing different career experiences and trajectories
Faculty Values	More reflective of the breadth of a faculty member’s role

The first proposed shift is to a more 360 view of faculty teaching. The student voice captures only one perspective on teaching. Shifting to a 360 view that includes the voice of colleagues, self-reflection, and formative as well as summative evaluations would provide feedback from various perspectives and capture the varied dimensions of teaching, giving a more holistic and equitable view of a faculty’s teaching.

The second foundational shift is to reflect in the evaluation process that a first-year faculty member has very different professional development, evaluation, and support needs than a faculty member with 15 years of experience. The current process lacks the flexibility to meet faculty where they are professionally. The faculty-created Faculty Experience Framework has been built into the proposal to recognize different faculty experiences and trajectories.

The Faculty Evaluation Work Group concluded that ACC Faculty Values reflect the breadth of faculty roles at ACC. The third proposed foundational shift is to use our faculty values to guide the evaluation process and its expectations.

Developing and Implementing the Proposed Evaluation Process

The proposed evaluation process has been created by faculty in the Faculty Evaluation Work Group over the past two years. It is a starting point for discussion over Spring and Summer 2022 Semesters to craft a meaningful, equitable, transparent, reflective evaluation process for adjuncts and full-time faculty. Meetings with department chairs, Faculty Senate and AFA have already provided suggestions that have been incorporated in the proposed evaluation process. It is our intent to continue to include faculty suggestions in the development of the proposed evaluation process.

Once approved by the Academic Student Affairs Council during Academic Year 2022-2023, the proposed revisions are planned to be implemented beginning in Fall 2023. Support for department chairs, evaluators, and faculty will be provided as the proposed changes are initiated. The Faculty Evaluation Work Group recognizes that revising the faculty evaluation process impacts existing Administrative Rules and is working with other shared governance committees to update them on the proposal.

Timeline

Accomplishments

2020- 2021 Development of the Proposed Evaluation Framework

• • Formed Faculty Evaluation Work Group, sub-committee of the Faculty Development and Evaluation Committee, to continue the work of 2018 Faculty Evaluation Task Force
  • Hosted a Faculty Forum on Bias in Evaluations with Dr. Philip Stark
  • Conducted internal and external research to develop framework
    • • Surveyed department chairs to determine their use of evaluation processes
      • Interviewed ACC instructional deans to collect their vision for a revised evaluation process
      • Interviewed 7 other institutions about their evaluation process (Baltimore City Community College, City Colleges of Chicago, Eastern Shore Community College, Reynolds Community College, Simon Fraser University, Tarrant Community College, and Valencia Community College); researched the evaluation process at St. Petersburg College, University of Oregon, and University of Southern California
  • Developed the proposed framework for the evaluation revisions
    • • Goals and foundational shifts for the new process
      • Exemplary Teaching Statement
      • Revised weightings for criteria on the Annual Evaluation Summary form
      • Revised rating system for elements on the Annual Evaluation Summary form
      • Revised faculty portfolio calendar and elements of the portfolio
        • • Faculty Reflection Form (proposed to replace Faculty Input Form)
          • Faculty Values Framework (proposed to replace Teaching Philosophy)
          • Purposeful Change (proposed to replace Course Commentary)

Participation in the Development of the Proposed Evaluation Framework

• • • Established process for discussions on proposed evaluation framework with faculty, faculty employee groups, and shared governance committees
    • Presented proposed framework for comments and suggestions:
      • • Chief Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Officer and Associate Vice Chancellors for Distance Education, Teaching and Learning Excellence Division, Transfer, Workforce
        • ACC Equity Council
        • Faculty Senate Leadership Team
        • Distance Learning Committee
        • ACC e-Staffing Committee
        • Faculty Development and Evaluation Committee
        • Adjunct leaders
    • Hosted Evaluation Forum for Deans and Department Chairs
    • Hosted Further Discussion Town Halls for Deans and Department Chairs
    • Presented the proposed framework to the Faculty Senate
    • Presented the proposed framework to the Adjunct Faculty Association

Spring and Summer 2022

• Participation in the Development of the Proposed Evaluation Framework
• Forum for All Faculty on Proposed Evaluation Framework
• Website for Proposed Evaluation Project that allows faculty to submit input and suggestions on the proposal so far launched
• Revisions to Framework presented to the Faculty Development and Evaluation Committee approved April, 2022.
• Additional revisions incorporated into the framework based on feedback from the website and additional meetings.

Next Steps Academic Year 2022-2023

• Continue to request faculty input through the website September, 2022.
• Present revised framework to the Faculty Development and Evaluation Committee for approval in September, 2022.
• Present to Academic and Student Affairs Council for collegewide approval (Fall 2022/Spring 2023)

Development and Implementation of Proposed Evaluation Framework

• Develop documentation, rubrics, forms (planned for Summer)
• Develop a roll-out/transition plan for the new process (Fall 2022, Spring 2023)
• Develop a communication plan and training materials for faculty and evaluators (Spring 2023)