Visit Information for Peer Reviewers

The Higher Learning Commission has developed detailed logistical information, forms, and templates for the peer review team visits. Below are a collection of PEAQ and AQIP peer reviewer resources. Reviewers looking for their scheduled visits and blackout dates should visit the Peer Review Data Update System.

General Forms

Federal Compliance Worksheets and Guides
Travel Expense Form If you are a new peer reviewer and have not submitted an IRS W-9 form with the Commission, download the form from the IRS and submit it with your Travel Expense Form.
Commission Travel Policies

Guides

The Commission has developed the following resource for peer reviewers. Addressing Minimums in Team Reports and Appraisals: Instructions for PEAQ and AQIP Teams

The Commission provides guidance for institutions and peer reviewers in its Statement on Peer Reviewers Serving as Independent Consultants or on Mock Teams to Institutions that are Accredited by or Seeking Accreditation with the Commission.

Multiple Location Visits

Information for Peer Reviewers
Multiple Location Visit Report Template

AQIP Reviewer Resources

Systems Appraisals

The 20-page Systems Appraiser Guide contains many updates, including information about the 2008 revision of the AQIP Categories. Revised May 2010.

The Systems Appraisal Timetable for 2011-2012 explains the timetable for each step that a Systems Appraisal team performs. Revised May 2011.

Each Systems Appraisal Team member needs three worksheets that must be completed during the review of an institution’s Systems Portfolio:

the Critical Characteristics Worksheet,
the Independent Category Worksheet (Appraisers must complete one for each of the nine Categories), and
the Draft Strategic and Accreditation Worksheet.

Worksheet Instructions explain how team members should use these worksheet forms.

For Systems Appraisal Team leaders, the Commission has a set of all nine Systems Appraisal Worksheets. This includes the three identified for the Appraisal team, plus the six used for consensus and to summarize the team's conclusions, and instructions on their use.

The Systems Appraisal Report template that a Systems Appraisal team uses at the conclusion of its review to create a final feedback report. Revised May 2010.

Quality Checkups

The current version of the Quality Checkup Report Template that every Quality Checkup team must use includes a section on the Commission's Federal Compliance program. Revised August 2009.

This Quality Checkup Report Sample provides teams with a concrete illustration of how a completed Quality Checkup Report might look.

PEAQ Reviewer Resources

Guides

Commission Guide for Writing the Team Report: Comprehensive Visit

This guide provides general information on report writing responsibilities, style guidelines, and timelines.

Commission Guide for Writing the Team Report: Focused Visit

The team report of a focused visit has two sections. Section I. the Assurance Section, Parts I, II, and III, relates directly to accreditation issues. Section II, The Advancement Section, is the consultation of the team. These instructions will assist you in writing each part of the report.

Substantive Change Panel Review Process: Change Panel Instructions and Forms (2011)

Commission Guide for Writing the Team Report: Change Visit (April 2011)

Campus Evaluation Visits: Information for Institutions and Reviewers (September 2011)

How to Write the Evidentiary Statement

Evidentiary statements are designed to capture the essence of an institution's efforts to meet an area of focus or core component. The evidentiary statement evaluates the quality of the evidence/data the institution presents in support of the criteria and core components.

Submitting Required Materials for Visits

Prior to accreditation-related reviews, the institution provides the peer reviewers and the Commission with a set of required materials. Beginning in Fall 2011, these materials must be submitted electronically in PDF format for the majority of evaluations.

Required Materials and Submission Procedures: PEAQ Comprehensive Visit
Required Materials and Submission Procedures: PEAQ and AQIP Change Visit
Required Materials and Submission Procedures: Focused Visit