On-Site Review
Official description and requirements for on-site reviews are found in the Membership Procedures.
DESCRIPTION
The on-site review provides an opportunity for trained NASM evaluators to see the music unit in action for a minimum of two days.
The primary functions of the visiting evaluators are 1) to verify the Self-Study, 2) to gather and assess information in a comprehensive manner, and 3) to prepare a factually based evaluative report that enables thorough Commission review of the total music program based on NASM Standards. The observations of visitors are particularly critical in areas such as performance and reviews of student work. In carrying out these functions, visitors are expected to reflect the service-oriented accreditation philosophy of NASM, and thus produce an appropriate context for the institution's receipt of Commission action.
The visiting evaluators do not accredit or make official recommendations to the institution on behalf of NASM. Only the Commission on Accreditation serves these functions. In their contacts at the visited institution, visiting evaluators may be able to serve as consultants to a limited extent, but this is definitely a secondary role and should not interfere with their primary function. It should be made clear, however, that any advisory comments are made as individuals, and not as expressions of an official position of NASM.
The visiting evaluators concern themselves primarily with the larger issues, such as the effectiveness of teaching, artistic goals and quality, competence of graduates, administration of the program, validity of information and conclusions reached through self-study, and crucial futures issues. The Visitors' Report reflects careful attention to these significant factors. The Visitors' Report presents an objective analysis that summarizes 1) the state of the music unit, 2) strengths and areas for improvement, 3) major futures issues for the music unit, and 4) constructive suggestions for future development of the music unit.
Evaluators shall base their reviews on NASM Standards, guidelines, and procedures in the context of the visited institution rather than on personal opinions, favored methodologies, or practices at their home institution. Consistent with NASM policies on institutional autonomy, evaluators refuse to enter local debates on the merits of specific approaches to particular issues or concerns.
CONTENT
The Visit
The primary purpose of the visit is to develop an external perspective on the work of the music unit. This perspective is considered by the appropriate Commission along with 1) materials submitted by the institution, and 2) NASM Standards for accreditation. The visiting evaluators shall be afforded an opportunity to visit and consider all music major programs offered by the institution irrespective of where they are administered.
During the course of the visit, the evaluators do the following (for more detailed information, please refer to the document, Procedures for Visiting Evaluators):
- Observe classes, lessons, and rehearsals.
- Interview faculty members, professional staff, and students, both individually and in groups, in pre-arranged meetings and, if requested, in appointments arranged on site. In large programs where it may be impossible to meet with all faculty, visitors should ensure contact is made with a representative cross-section.
- Review scores, recordings, videos, documents, and other materials demonstrating the quality of student work in each degree or program offered, including supporting final project documents for degrees.
- As necessary, consider course syllabi, compilations of recital and event programs, etc.
- Audition a sampling of student performers, or (preferably) attend a recital by several representative students at various levels. If the institution offers professional degrees or programs in performance at one or more levels (i.e., baccalaureate, master’s, doctoral), hear a sampling of performers at each level, either in person or on recording.
- Consider the effectiveness of institutional policies and procedures for ensuring that student competencies are met.
- Consider the total performance program (student, faculty, guest) and its quality and comprehensiveness in relation to the goals and objectives of (1) the music unit or a whole area, (2) specific curricular programs.
- Verify transcripts. Paper or electronic access to transcripts or copies thereof for graduates from each undergraduate or graduate degree or postsecondary non-degree-granting program for the past three years must be available to the visiting evaluators.
- Observe student intern teachers, and other internships when possible.
- Inspect libraries (books, periodicals, scores, recordings, information technologies, ensemble music, etc), and consider collection development in relation to the size, scope, and objectives of the music unit.
- Consider financial support for the music unit.
- Inspect physical plant and equipment and consider repair, maintenance, and replacement policies and plans.
- As necessary, consider documentation concerning governance and appointment, promotion, and tenure.
- Review policies and procedures for evaluation, planning, and making projections, and review the extent to which they influence thoughtful decisions about change.
These activities provide information that enable the visitors to complete a report that:
- Compares the visitors' impressions of conditions, evaluations, and projections with those described in the Self-Study.
- Identifies the extent to which there is compliance with NASM standards.
- Recommends specific improvements.
- Makes suggestions concerning opportunities or problems not yet apparent.
All involved in the visit are expected to 1) maintain a professional, collegial, peer review approach; 2) keep the process focused on the institution, its programs, and its effectiveness; 3) contribute to the factual accuracy of the Visitors' Report; and 4) cause as little disruption as possible to the artistic and educational routine of the music unit.
The Visitors' Report
The visitors prepare a report that addresses the following:
- Purposes of the Institution and Music Unit;
- Size and Scope;
- Finances;
- Governance and Administration;
- Faculty and Staff;
- Facilities, Equipment, Health, and Safety;
- Library and Learning Resources;
- Recruitment, Admission-Retention, Record Keeping, and Advisement;
- Published Materials and Web Sites;
- Branch Campuses, External Programs, Use of the Institution's Name for Educational Activities Operated Apart from the Main Campus or the Primary Educational Program (if applicable);
- Community Involvement; Articulation with Other Schools;
- Non-Degree-Granting Programs for the Community (if applicable);
- Standards for (1) Independent Postsecondary Music Units without Regional or other Institutional Accreditation, and/or (2) Proprietary Institutions (if applicable);
- Programs, Degrees, and Curricula--Specific Curricula; Study of the Transcripts of Recent Graduates and Comparison with Catalog Statements;
- Performance;
- Music Studies for the General Public;
- Music Unit Evaluation, Planning, and Projections;
- Standards Summary;
- Overview, Summary Assessment, and Recommendations for the Program.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How can the visitors do a thorough job in such a short time?
The visitors arrive on campus having considered the self-study document for four or more weeks. They know the operations and curricular programs in detail. In addition, the visitors are peer-reviewers with considerable experience in both the process and content of the institutions and programs they are reviewing. They begin with the kind of in-depth expertise that saves time. The visitors are verifying and adding to the institution's self-analysis, not creating an analysis from scratch. Preparation, expertise, and scope of work thus make the short on-site review effective.
Can an NASM on-site review serve multiple purposes?
Yes. NASM encourages multiple uses of the accreditation process, and is willing to coordinate with other internal and external reviews. Contact should be made with the National Office for further information.
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