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Session 1149

The Next Level in TC2K: Continuous Quality Improvement

Susan Scachitti, Gregory Neff, and James Higley Purdue University Calumet

Abstract

Many educators in engineering technology are currently working on preparations for their next accreditation visit by the Technology Accreditation Commission (TAC) of the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET). With these visits come a need to understand new evaluation criteria, TC2K; criteria focused on improving the quality of student outcomes.

The TC2K evaluation criteria is a quality based standard that begins with basic quality concepts. This paper gives examples for an MET program of goals and measurable outcomes, along with assessment and evaluation techniques used to assure that constituents are receiving expected outcomes. Most institutions that are working on their TC2K preparation have begun to integrate these basic concepts into their way of operating. However, there is a next level that goes beyond the evaluation and assessment stage that, in many cases, needs further exploration – Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI). Purdue University Calumet (PUC) is one institution that has spent significant time working with its educators and involving them in the processes that have lead to an understanding and application of CQI in their educational environment.

This paper will focus on how this next level in quality improvement (CQI) is instilled into engineering technology programs that seek to satisfy ABET’s TC2K criteria. It will begin by exploring what is meant by CQI. Examples will then be shared from the efforts currently underway at Purdue University Calumet. Examples will include unique processes that have been developed to support CQI whether through simple changes in faculty evaluations or a completely new process of course improvement and documentation. Also included will be various ongoing assessment techniques that have produced quality improvement results.

Introduction

As with any efforts to instill quality concepts into an otherwise existing culture comes the need for learning new language and new ways of doing things. Some of the terms that have been evolving in the educational quality culture are terms such as goals, objectives, outcomes and assessment. These terms are frequently used in the new TC2K accreditation criteria. In addition to learning new terms, new ways of doing things must be developed and documented as plans, processes and procedures. These plans, processes and procedures then aid an organization in developing their new quality

Proceedings of the 2004 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference and Exposition Copyright © 2004, American Society for Engineering Education

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Higley, J., & Neff, G., & Scachitti, S. (2004, June), The Next Level In Tc2 K: Continuous Quality Improvement Paper presented at 2004 Annual Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah. 10.18260/1-2--12878