 The Office of Institutional Research & Effectiveness (IRE) forms a vital part of Palm Beach Community College's accountability and planning efforts at the Districtwide level. Serving under Academic Affairs, IRE acts as PBCC's institutional research and strategic planning office. The Office's responsibilities reach across many areas of the College. Some of these areas are highlighted below.
Research and Data Services
Institutional Research & Effectiveness has primary responsibility for the preparation of delivery of internal data reports. Panorama, the College's annual student enrollment report, is produced in IRE, and it is available to all faculty and staff upon request. Many ad hoc data reports for staff and management are also provided by IRE for informational and decision-making purposes.
Questionnaires and Surveys
IRE also acts as a clearinghouse for all internal questionnaires and surveys used for evaluating college programs and services. Faculty and staff can come to the Office for help in developing studies and questionnaires, methods of data collection, data analysis and report-writing. Below are some examples of projects conducted by IRE: - Demographics and needs of prior students and currently-enrolled students
- Needs assessment of specific vocational program areas
- Student evaluation of specific program areas
Student Assessment of Courses and Faculty
IRE is responsible for managing the Student Assessment of Courses and Faculty, which is conducted in the Fall and Spring terms. Near the end of the term, students are given the opportunity to assess their instructors on a variety of assessment items. This project includes the development and distribution of student assessment materials, scanning and analyzing the assessments, and distributing the results. IRE is currently researching online student assessment methods with the intent of piloting a program in Fall 2006.
Institutional Effectiveness Process
Another major responsibility that falls under IRE is development, implementation and maintenance of the online institutional effectiveness process. This systems helps to support all units, clusters and departments in continuous quality improvement for accountability and decision-making.
Strategic Planning
Finally, IRE guides and supports the administration, faculty, staff and students in the continuous development and implementation of the Palm Beach Community College Strategic Plan.
The Office of Institutional Research & Effectiveness is located on the Lake Worth campus of Palm Beach Community College, on the third floor of the Count and Countess de Hoernle Technology Center, Rooms TC303 and TC304.
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