The Level II Accreditation Project:
Responding to Quality

By Efren B. Ramos
Head, Research, Planning & HRD Office

A philosophy of education does not exist in a vacuum. It is anchored on human development within a larger setting for social improvement. In this regard, educational institutions are tasked to create an academic culture for the satisfaction of humankind’s basic needs, advancement of knowledge, and improvement of the quality of life, hence they must address the problems of the dynamics of the changing society. Recognizing this reality, the St. Paul College of Ilocos Sur academic community, with the leadership of Sr. Marie Celine Santos, spc, the School Directress and Sr. Fidelisa de Marie Portillo, spc, the College Dean, embarked on a serious project for Level II accreditation status of four of its College programs, namely: Liberal Arts, Education, Commerce, and Computer Science.

The project provides an avenue (1) to assess the quality of its services; (2) to enhance communication and collaboration among work units across the organization; (3) to increase credibility with clients, communities, and linkages; and (4) to showcase the school accomplishments while identifying areas for improvement.

The formal visit by the accrediting team from the Philippine Association of Accrediting Schools, Colleges, and Universities (PAASCU) was scheduled on August 15-16, 2005. During the two-day visit, the team observed classes; and interviewed the administrators, faculty, staff, and students. Two open forums were scheduled, one for the faculty and another for the students, to allow the members of the academic community to clarify issues with the team members.

In order to prepare for this visit, a Task Force, consisting of an Executive Committee and nine other committees to take charge of each area under survey, was created and met regularly to monitor progress; discuss problems and share resources. Extensive work on the part of the Task Force was made. The work consisted of self-survey of the different aspects of the Institution, from the administration of the programs under survey, to faculty, instruction, services, and facilities. The self-survey process became a major focus of school activities for the school year 2005 - 2006. One hundred percent of the faculty and staff and student representatives from various programs were involved in this activity. The Task Force has based the self-survey report on the following sources: institutional plans, curriculum, faculty profile, analysis of relevant documents, and the experience and opinions of the students, faculty, staff and administrators.

The campus was kept informed about the self-survey activity through bulletin board information, feature articles in the school paper, and through regular meetings conducted by program coordinators for the students.

Among the highlights of the institution’s best features are:

1. Decision-making is participative. The administration invites representatives from the different work units, or the whole academic community when necessary, in the formulation of policies and the creation of institutional plans. Research and survey outputs are utilized in decision-making;

2. The creation of the five College Standing Committees, namely, Admission and Academic Standards Committee, Faculty Admission and Classification Committee, Faculty Development Committee, Curriculum Committee, and the Library Committee facilitate the implementation of academic policies and standards.

3. The Ranking and Promotion Instrument has been revised by the Ranking Committee which is composed of representatives from the administration, the faculty and staff. The following components of the instrument are clearly defined: Academic Preparation & Other Qualifications; Teaching Experience & Professional/Work Experience; Faculty Performance as a Professional Educator; and Corporate Commitment.

4. The Finance Office shares periodic reports on actual expenditures and financial standing of the institution during institutional meetings.

5. Faculty development was intensified to address the needs of teachers. Some of the activities undertaken were seminar-workshops on innovative teaching; retooling the teacher as manager; and spiritual formation mainly through retreats and recollections.

6. Instructional delivery integrates the gospel values.

7. Teachers supplement their teaching materials with resources from the Internet and periodicals. Teaching modules include websites among the references. Classrooms are equipped with multi-media equipment to enhance instructional delivery.

8. Classroom observation to evaluate teaching performance, both announced and unannounced, is conducted regularly. A conference follows to give feedback of teacher performance.

9. The services of faculty members are well compensated. Adequate benefits are provided. Salaries are given on time.

10. Loading has improved by assigning teachers with appropriate masteral courses to teach the major subjects.

11. Student performance in academic competitions, both provincial and regional, is commendable.

12. Student services such as guidance and counseling services, medical check-up, scholarship assistance, canteen services, etc. are widely available.

13. Scholarship assistance to poor but deserving students addresses the core values of Paulinian Education, more specifically, charity manifested by “concern for the deprived.” More private organizations and individuals have offered scholarship grants.

14. Access of the Internet enhances library services. The library has subscribed more professional journals on different subject areas. More books including e-books are purchased to increase library collection.

15. Computer facilities are adequate and up-to-date to address instructional and research needs of the students and the faculty.

16. Software licenses for needed software packages have been acquired.

17. Considerable change in the institution's physical structures has occurred. The new College Building, the Our Lady of Rosary Building which houses the faculty room, offices, classrooms, science laboratories and simulation room, can accommodate increase in enrolment and provides a more wholesome atmosphere conducive to integrated learning and experiences.

18. The commitment of the school community to preserve the beauty and the cleanliness of the school campus and its environment is laudable.

19. The Paulinian Family Circle (PFC), which is the parent association, and the Alumni Association support and actively participate in school activities such as funding school projects and providing scholarship assistance.

20. The institutionalization of the Community Extension Program (CEP) provides an opportunity for teachers, staff and students to be immersed in the partner communities.

21. The relationship among faculty, and between faculty and administration is open, warm and supportive.

As a result, significant progress has been made in the following areas:

1. Planning is coordinated and communicated;

2. The organizational structure has been strengthened;

3. The faculty has improved in terms of academic qualification, teaching performance, research capability, and community service, thus becoming more pro-active in activities to support the tripartite mission of instruction, research and extension;

4. The curriculum has improved and instructional delivery enhanced with the use of multi-media equipment and resources from the internet;

5. Work units and offices are given more participation in the preparation of budget; and

6. The School Directress and the College governance groups are working together more effectively to achieve the mission and goals of the Department.

Indeed, the self-survey task provided an avenue to analyze the institution's present status, to celebrate positive changes that have taken place, and to forge partnerships to meet future challenges and opportunities.

With PAASCU accreditation, St. Paul College of Ilocos Sur has renewed its commitment to quality by defining and performing its role and the role of the whole Paulinian Community, which includes the administration, faculty, staff, students, parents and alumni, in the service of the Church and the community. >>Task Force