What is the title of AAMU's QEP?
Enhancing Students' Critical Thinking
What are the specific goals of AAMU's QEP?
Goal 1: To enhance students' ability to analyze information.
Goal 2: To enhance students' ability to evaluate information.
Goal 3: To enhance students' ability to synthesize information.
Goal 4: To enhance faculty use of critical thinking pedagogy through the design of
instructional approaches and assessments.
How will AAMU's QEP inprove students' learning?
SLO 1.1: Students will be able to identify the significant issue, concept, problem or
argument in information.
SLO 1.2: Students will be able to differentiate between implicit and explicit
SLO 2.1: Students will be able to distinguish whether information reaches a logical
SLO 3.1: Students will be able to formulate a position and support it with evidence
from multiple sources.
How will students learning be assessed?
Standardized tests: Proficiency Profile, Critical Thinking Assessment Test (CAT).
Class embedded assessments: Biology, history and physical science will use test that contain questions to specifically test critical thinking in that discipline. Art, English, economics, math and music will use writing artifacts scored using an established rubric.
Does AAMU's QEP include specific activities for faculty?
Faculty will be able to participate in workshops designed to facilitate understanding and
use of critical thinking pedagogy. Some of these will be presentations which feature
live speakers as with the January 2014 presentation at the Faculty/Staff Conference and
the February in-depth workshop by the Critical Thinking Organization. Other work-
shops will be recorded presentations by various speakers. Resources that discuss
general information and specific aids are in the LRC for all faculty to use. The Teach-
ing and Learning Community was developed with the first pilot course and is open to
all interested faculty every semester.
How will AAMU support the successful implementation and continuation of the QEP?
The QEP Implementation Team will support the ongoing development of the QEP. A
five-year budget containing projections for personnel, faculty release, instructional
materials, marketing and promotion, consultants, office supplies and travel was de-
veloped. The University will use existing physical resources and commit new funds to
ensure that the QEP is sustained over the five-year period.
What process was used to select and develop AAMU's QEP?
In fall 2011, discussions were initiated with faculty and staff and the QEP Steering
Commmittee was formed. Surveys, focus groups, and continued discussion that includ-
ed students, faculty, staff, retirees, alumni and local and regional employers worked to
determine the focus of the QEP. After narrowing the topics in 2012, the Steering
Committee determined that the focus would be critical thinking, which had emerged as
the top choice. In August 2012, the critical thinking QEP focus was presented at the
Faculty/Staff Conference. The QEP Design Team researched and worked to develop
the plan. The first draft was completed in June 2013; revisions continued through fall
2013. In February 2014, the final draft was submitted to Southern Association of
Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
When will AAMU's QEP begin?
Pilot courses started in fall 2013 and will continue through fall 2014. The QEP was
submitted to SACS February 2014 and the SACSCOC on-site review will be March 25
-27, 2014. The final decision on the QEP will be made by SACSCOC in fall
2014. After final approval by SACSCOC, the QEP will be fully implemented in