2008 EPAS Handbook old

  • Release Date06/30/2009
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3.3.1. Writing the Benchmark IV Document
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The Benchmark IV document should be dived into three volumes as described below. Like the previous benchmarks, Volume I contains a series of narratives that demonstrate the program’s compliance with EPAS. In the Benchmark IV document however, the program assembles the narratives from the compliance sections of Benchmarks I, II, III, and IV to create the appearance of a self-study.

Volume 1 – Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS)

1. Section One

  • Accreditation Review Brief. The Accreditation Review Brief should be included in the beginning of volume one. During Commissioner Visit IV the Accreditation Review Brief is used as a tool for the commission visitor to locate content on each accreditation standard within the Benchmark IV document. In the Location column of section 2, the program indicates the document name and page number where each compliance statement for an accreditation standard is addressed. In section 1 the program completes identifying information. The rest of the form is not used.
  • Narrative for Accreditation Standards in Benchmarks I, II, and III. Review the narratives in the compliance portions of Benchmarks I, II, and III for accuracy; update as necessary; and order them by AS (see Format for Volume 1 below). Complete the Program Expense Budget form and include it near the narrative for AS 3.5.1, as well as the Librarian’s Report form and include it near the narrative for AS 3.5.4

2. Section Two

  • Benchmark IV Review Brief. The Benchmark IV Review Brief should be included in the beginning of section two of the Benchmark IV document. In the Location column of the brief in sections 2 and 3, the program indicates the document name and page number where each compliance statement is addressed.
  • Narrative for Accreditation Standards in Benchmark IV. The rest of section two should be comprised of a series of narratives that demonstrate the program’s compliance with the remaining accreditation standards in Benchmark IV (see Format for Volume 1 below).

Format for Volume 1
Each accreditation standard should be addressed in a separate narrative headed by the number and full text of each standard for easy identification by the COA reader. Programs should refer to the compliance column of the Compliance, Concern, and Noncompliance Statements while writing Volume I of the Benchmark IV document. It explains the minimum requirements for completely and clearly meeting an accreditation standard and related educational policy and why COA would cite either as an area of concern or noncompliance.

Volume 2 – Syllabi

Volume two contains the program’s course syllabi.

Volume 3 – Supporting Documentation

Volume three is the appendix and contains the field education manual, the student handbook, and any other supporting documentation.

Document Date: June 30, 2009
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