FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON QEP: TEAM

1. What is the theme of the QEP?

The theme of the QEP is enhancing achievement in mathematics.

2. What is the purpose for the QEP?

The purpose of the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) for North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University is to improve student success, specifically student performance in general education mathematics courses. This will be evidenced by improved student goal orientation toward mathematics, improved attendance in general education math courses, decreased DFW rates and improved four-year graduation rates.

3. What are the goals of the QEP?

The QEP has four goals:

To improve student goal orientation toward mathematics
To improve attendance in general education mathematics courses
To improve performance in mathematics–lower DFW rates
To increase four-year graduation rates

4. What are the initiatives of the QEP?

The initiatives of the QEP are:
A. FACULTY/ADVISOR INITIATIVES

i. Create Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE) Math Faculty Fellows for each general education math course sequence: 101/102, 103/104, 110/131 and 111/112.

ii. CTE workshops on Growth Mindset and Math Messaging will be delivered at mandatory college meetings and new faculty orientation.

iii. Unexcused absences will be recorded with final grades of “F” and visible on unofficial transcripts for advisors.

B. Student Support Initiatives

i. Two Teaching Assistants (TAs), well-versed in general education math content, My Math Lab (or future textbook software) and SPSS will be stationed in the library 20 hours per week in the evenings.
ii. Colleges will embed peer-tutors for their required math courses trained to:

Tutor in general education mathematics
Identify where content will be used in upper division courses

C. Curricular Initiatives

i. Infuse the importance of math for specific majors and concentrations within FRST courses.
ii. Half-semester courses will be offered.
iii. Create a series of math-relevant videos with stories of successful students, alumni and math faculty to be used in FRST or as needed.

D. Policy Initiatives

i. A policy will be drafted that stops the practice of requiring students to attend extra-curricular events outside of their schedule class period.

ii. Colleges will be encouraged to schedule extracurricular events after 5 p.m., Monday–Friday or on the weekend.

E. Campus Education Initiatives

i. Advisors will recommend that students who skip greater than ten percent of their math classes and fail the course complete an online module on the academic and financial cost of skipping class.

ii. Training/Education will be provided for students and faculty on QEP-related topics.

5. What is the timeline for the QEP?

The QEP is a five-year commitment, Fall 2021 to Spring 2026, after which it will become a continuing part of the university.

6. When does the QEP start?

With the approval of the QEP by SACSCOC during the March 2021 on-site visit, it is scheduled to begin August 2021.

7. Who is responsible for the QEP implementation?

An implementation team will be put in place and led by a QEP Coordinator who will be a part of the Office of Strategic Planning and Institutional Effectiveness (OSPIE) team.

8. What is goal orientation?

In the context of this QEP, goal orientation is a student’s motivation to get through the math courses either with or without learning the material. Enhanced goal orientation means the student has a stronger desire to learn the material.

9. What is my role in the QEP?

One possibility is to help enhance goal orientation by giving students positive messages about the value of mathematics, thereby helping them to have more positive attitudes toward mathematics.

10. Why is the QEP necessary?

This is one way for us to improve how we educate our students. It is a requirement for our regional accreditation. Faculty will also have the opportunity to serve as Math Faculty Fellows as well as to encourage students to attend their math classes as improved attendance is positively correlated with improved performance in mathematics.

11. What is SACSCOC?

It is the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, which is the agency that accredits the university as a whole.

12. When does the on-site visit take place?

March 23-25, 2021

13. What resources are required for the QEP?

The required resources are a QEP Coordinator, support staff, tutors, graduate assistants, faculty fellows and the commitment and support of all members of the university community, funding and designated space.

14. What was the outcome of the last QEP?

It was accepted by the last SACSCOC review committee. A QEP report is included in the Fifth-Year Report, p. 150, located at https://www.ncat.edu/_files/pdfs/legal/sacscoc-interim-report-2016.pdf

15. How will the current QEP be monitored?

A dashboard will be published at the QEP Website to show the progress of the QEP outcomes. The QEP Coordinator will gather data, monitor progress, update the dashboard, and share with the university community, including at faculty, staff and student forums.

16. Where can I get free math help?

MATH TUTORING is available in-person and online and it’s FREE. Sign up on Upswing TODAY for in-person help at one of three convenient locations:

Marteena Hall, Room 122
F.D. Bluford Library, 2nd Floor, Room 5
The Center for Academic Excellence, ACB 3rd Floor