Site Visitors

Background

Site Visitors have sufficient general education and special training specific to a professional discipline to form a solid foundation for program evaluation. The amount and kind of such education and training depends upon the type and level of program to be evaluated. Evaluators may be either generalists or content specialists who are themselves practitioners or educators within the field of training represented by the program.

Training

Site Visitors receive formal and organized training through workshops of various lengths conducted by CAATE Commissioners.

Attitude

Effective Site Visitors demonstrate maturity, objectivity, diplomacy and dedication. They project an image of professionalism both in behavior and in appearance. Site Visitors appreciate the confidential nature of the task and understand the need for self-initiative, for a cooperative attitude, for an analytic approach to the task, and for necessary degrees of flexibility.

Knowledge

Effective Site Visitors have an appreciation of the current status of the occupation involved and of the entire accrediting process. They have sufficient general and special background to be able to exercise appropriate judgment. In addition, effective visitors thoroughly understand the educational standards being used and what constitutes deviation from or non-compliance with those standards. It is imperative that Site Visitors be totally familiar with the content of the Self-Study Report and related materials provided to them prior to the Site Visit.

Skills

Site Visitors are skilled in interviewing, in interpersonal communications, in self-expression, in note-taking and in maintaining objectivity. They are skillful in dealing with attitudinal problems that may be presented by those being interviewed. Through experience and education, Site Visitors have developed capacities for deductive reasoning and for logical analysis. They are skilled in writing and accurate in recall.

Physical Factors

The physical condition of the Site Visitors permits them to do whatever is necessary to conduct the visit in the particular locale and within the specified period.

Site Visitor Dismissal Policy

Although the CAATE site visitor is receiving an honorarium, it is considered a volunteer position. Dismissal of a site visitor may take place if a site visitor is unprofessional, has poor evaluations, demonstrates inappropriate behavior, or fails to adhere to the policies and procedures. The CAATE Site Visit Ad Hoc Committee reserves the right to dismiss a site visitor if his/her services are no longer needed for any reason. In this event, the site visitor will be notified in writing.