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Section VI: Federal Mandates for Title IV Funding
SACS Comprehensive Standard 

VI-1.  When evaluating success with respect to student achievement in relation to the institution's mission, the institution includes, as appropriate, consideration of course completion, state licensing examinations, and job placement rates.

JUDGMENT OF COMPLIANCE

Yes, East Tennessee State University is able to provide a portfolio of evidence supporting compliance.

STATEMENT OF RATIONALE FOR JUDGMENT OF COMPLIANCE

East Tennessee State University participates in Title IV federal programs and was approved for Recertification for Eligibility to participate in Title IV Student Aid Programs in 1998 (Program Participation Agreement).  Approval was based on confirmation (electronic re-certification process) of ETSU's academic and administrative capability, as required by 34 CFR Part 600 Subpart A and 34 CFR Part 668.16 Sec 498(a) of the Title IV regulations (2000-2001 Federal Student Aid Handbook).  As a Title IV participant, ETSU considers student course completion, licensure examination pass rates, and job placement rates when evaluating student success.

Course Completion

In compliance with Title IV federal programs, the ETSU Office of Financial Aid monitors student achievement of financial aid recipients (Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy).  Periodic reviews through state and internal audit demonstrate we are correctly tracking satisfactory academic progress and unofficial withdrawals (SACS Standard V-3).

The ETSU Office of Financial Aid monitors student achievement of financial aid recipients according to standards specified in its Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.  To continue to be eligible for financial aid, students must demonstrate academic progress by completing a specific number of credit hours relative to hours attempted.  The Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy was revised in 1998, through a process that included input and review by financial aid staff members and a committee comprised of representatives from a variety of student service offices.  The ETSU Academic Council and the President approved the final recommendations.   The 1998 revision represents an improvement to the previous policy in that standards for progress are more rigorous, the evaluation process is more precise, and guidelines for regaining eligibility are clearer.  Additionally, the policy addresses the requirement that financial aid recipients meet the academic retention standards of ETSU (ETSU Undergraduate Catalog, Academic Regulations; ETSU Graduate Catalog, Academic Requirements; ETSU Quillen College of Medicine Catalog, Degrees and Curriculum).

East Tennessee State University monitors enrollment status of all students according to an unofficial withdrawal policy (ETSU Policy on Enrollment, Fee Payment, Attendance, and Financial Aid Distribution).  Student class attendance is used to confirm enrollment.  Faculty members report students' attendance during the first two weeks of class, the eighth week, and at the end of the semester.  Students who missed all class meetings in the first two weeks of a given course will have their financial aid adjusted to reflect correct aid disbursement for the actual number of credit hours they attended.  After the census date (i.e., 14^th day of semester), students who have not attended classes will have their balance calculated according to the ETSU Refund Policies.  Students who have stopped attending a course will have the last date of attendance entered into their student record for that course.  Periodic state and internal audit reviews demonstrate that we are correctly tracking both satisfactory academic progress and unofficial withdrawal (ETSU Internal Audit Report; State Audit Reports).  East Tennessee State University was the first university in Tennessee to implement an unofficial withdrawal policy, and has never had an audit finding pertaining to this policy (State Audit Reports).

Licensing Exams

The aggregate pass rate was 83% for ETSU students who took licensure examinations for the first time in 1999-2000 (ETSU Licensure Exam Pass Rates).  Aggregate ETSU student pass rates on state and national licensing examinations are reported to the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR).  They are published in the East Tennessee State University Tennessee Board of Regents Annual Report Card and the Annual Status of Higher Education in Tennessee (Appendix P).  Pass rates for individual programs are located within the appropriate academic department and the web site for ETSU Office of Outcomes Assessment.

Pass rates are analyzed within individual programs that require licensing exams and improvements are made, as needed.  For example, score reports of the teacher licensure exam (Praxis II) are examined within the College of Education and are distributed to all departments that provide teacher education programs.  The college's department chairs are asked to respond, in writing, with proposals for any programmatic changes as a result of reviewing the score reports.  In the last three years, the Department of History has modified its curriculum in the history education concentration to require more non-western history coursework.  During 2000-2001, the Department of Physical Education, Exercise, and Sport Sciences began a comprehensive review of its curriculum as a result of lower than desirable licensure scores.  As a resultant of this review, content regarding the areas of weakness were enhanced in appropriate courses.  A new course in kinesiology is targeted for curriculum proposal review for the 2001-2002 academic year.  Additionally, the College of Education requires that, starting fall 2001, students successfully complete Praxis II prior to enrollment in student teaching.  This requirement, along with a planned individualized remediation program, should improve scores of students who graduate from the program.  If a student does not successfully complete the Praxis II, the student meets with an advisor to develop a remediation plan.  Students may elect a test-taking course for one credit hour beginning summer 2001.

The College of Nursing implemented a number of changes that may affect improvement of pass rates on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX).  In addition to specific course content changes, the College of Nursing purchased a combination test construction and test bank computer package for faculty in summer 2000.  This package assists faculty in test development and item analyses.  It also assists faculty in developing tests that discriminate levels of student performance.  At the same time, a series of nationally normed standardized tests were implemented using an initial entrance test to identify student strengths and needs and mid-curricular and end-of-program assessments that must be passed (NCLEX Success Plan).  The pass rate has already improved.  Whereas 76% (63/83) of 1999-2000 academic year baccalaureate graduates passed the exam, 90% (53/59) of December 2000 graduates passed (ETSU Licensure Pass Rates).

Databases on the predictability of student performance on the United States Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE) are used to identify students at-risk for poor performance on the exam.  The ETSU Quillen College of Medicine (COM)Student Promotions Committee carefully scrutinizes student performance, including the USMLE results.  A proactive position is taken to help the identified students be successful, as outlined in the ETSU Handbook for Medical Students (Student Promotions).  The College of Medicine Medical Student Education Committee (MSEC) makes recommendations related to the quality of the medical education program by using data from course and clerkship evaluations, faculty working groups, student meetings/focus groups, standardized test results, and retreat discussions.  For example, recent revisions include the development of more integrated cross-disciplinary content and educational experiences within the curriculum (MSEC Minutes 4-27-00, MSEC Minutes 11-29-00).

Job Placement Rates

The ETSU Office of Career Placement and Internship Services periodically (as funds permit) administers a survey to recent graduates to determine salary and job placement status.  The most recent survey (1996-1997) indicated that 91% of the respondents were employed and 83% were employed in his or her discipline. This survey usually receives a low response rate (18% response rate in 1996-1997) because funds are not available to provide follow-up mailings.  Additionally, the sporadic administration of the survey makes trend data unreliable.  When available, survey results are distributed to appropriate departments and posted on the Office of Career Placement and Internship Services web site.  The director of this office also provides data and results to other units, on request. 

A number of academic programs also collect discipline-specific job placement rates; some of these programs are subject to accreditation guidelines (e.g., ETSU Department of Health Related Professions, College of Business, College of Nursing). For example, most recent inquiries (1997-2000) of the graduates in health related professions indicate that 100% are placed in jobs (ETSU Department of Health Related Professions Job Placement Assessment). 

In 1998, the ETSU College of Business established the Office of External Programs, which includes job placement assistance to current students and maintains an extensive network of regional employers.  Employers provide criteria concerning position openings that are disseminated to students.  This office also maintains a record of current student interests and backgrounds and may make direct contact with students who match position criteria.  For the last three years, the office has received confirmations of placements for 65% of these positions.  Unfortunately, many students do not notify the office when they find employment; therefore, placement rates are probably underestimated (College of Business Placement and Internship Activities).

Surveys of nursing students conducted immediately before graduation during 1999-2000 indicated that 45%  (60/134) had secured positions in nursing.  At six to nine months after licensure, 96% (79/82) of survey respondents in 1999 and 2000 indicated that they were employed as registered nurses (Nursing Employment Surveys).

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