The Four Themes*
The four cross-cutting themes are present in all the criteria studied for
reaccreditation. In identifying these themes, the Commission had several purposes in mind:
- Highlight primary attributes of effective and high-performance organizations
valued by the Commission
- Establish broad benchmarks for evaluating the interpretation and
application of the new Criteria
- Indicate the interrelatedness of the Criteria
- Suggest an organizational schema that could inform self-study processes
and give structure to self-study reports
I. The Future-Oriented Organization
(Theme I Notes)
- Engages in planning
- Is driven by the mission
- Understands social and economic change
- Focuses on the future of constituents
- Integrates new technology
II. The Learning-Focused Organization
(Theme II Notes)
- Assesses student learning
- Supports learning
- Supports scholarship
- Creates the capacity for lifelong learning
- Strengthens organizational learning
III. The Connected Organization
(Theme III Notes)
- Serves the common good
- Serves constituents
- Creates a culture of service
- Collaborates
- Engages in healthy internal communication
IV. The Distinctive Organization
(Theme IV Notes)
- Has an unambiguous mission
- Appreciates diversity
- Is accountable
- Is self-reflective
- Is committed to improvement
* All information quoted from The Higher Learning Commission Handbook of Accreditation, version 1:10/03
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