Self-Assessment Guide (SAG) Packages

For use in program reviews, there is a CAS Self-Assessment Guide (SAG) for each set of individual functional area standards. These downloadable assessment workbooks include the standards and guidelines along with a series of “criterion measure” statements used to judge the level of program compliance with the standard. Each electronic SAG file includes a contextual statement, giving historical and functional perspective to the area; instructions for conducting self-assessment using the SAG; self-assessment instrument; and evaluation forms for compiling team assessment and planning improvements. 
 
As part of a relationship with Campus Labs, CAS self-assessment guides also are available through the Campus Labs program review platform. Contact Campus Labs (www.campuslabs.com) for more information or a demonstration.

Each self-assessment guide (SAG) has a similar structure. The SAG structure was significantly revised with the 2015 publication, and has received additional updates in the 2019 publication. The 2019 version features a simplified scale, with the previous “exceed expectations” removed.  The CAS standards reflect a level of good practice generally agreed upon by the profession at large. Criterion measures are now clustered into categories for rating which are mirrored in the revised and updated standards; this reduces the number of ratings needed and shifts the emphasis to more critical evaluation and reflection of concepts. Each section of the SAGs includes a list of suggested evidence and documentation to encourage review teams to collect important materials before rating criterion measures. Program review teams need to document their reasoning and evidence for the rating assigned to each subsection in the space provided for Justification.

Although not pictured, program review teams also must discuss and respond to the Overview Questions that immediately follow each rating section. Answers to the Overview Questions, which are designed to stimulate summary thinking about overarching issues, can be used to facilitate interpretation of the ratings and development of the self-study report.