A Case Study of the Impact of Self-Evaluation and Accreditation Upon Educational Climate.

Abstract

This study was designed to assess if the introduction of self-evaluation and accreditation into an educational environment would impact upon the perceptions of change by the individuals in the educational environment. The purpose of this study was twofold: First, to identify the perceptions of the faculty and staff of changes ( and the direction of change), if any, in the educational climate at Plato College. Secondly, to determine if there is a significant difference between faculty and professional staff's perceptions of change, if any, in the educational climate at Plato College. Plato College is a fictitious name for a postsecondary institution in northern Michigan. The study sample consisted of 29 faculty and professional staff at Plato College. Plato College is a private, four-year college that awards the Associate of Arts degree in several programs, and the Bachelor of Business Administration degree. The data were collected using the survey collection method. The data collected were utilized to formulate an analytical and narration of the self-evaluation and accreditation process at Plato College. The data were reported showing descriptive differences that were not statistically significant. The findings of the study were: (1) There is no significant difference between constituent collegial groups and their degree of perceptions of change, and the direction of change, at Plato College. (2) When an educational institution participated in the self-evaluation and accreditation process, there will be change in the educational climate. (3) When an educational institution participates in the self-evaluation and accreditation process, the direction of change will lead to perceptions of an improved educational climate by members within the educational environment. (4) There are no statistically significant differences between the perceptions of faculty and professional staff of change in the educational climate at Plato College. The introduction of the self-evaluation and accreditation process was perceived by the majority of the study participants as precipitating change in the educational climate at Plato College.