Alaska Sea Grant Program Assessment (PAT), 2006

Alaska Sea Grant underwent a program review September 10–14, 2006, by an assessment team appointed by the director of the National Sea Grant College Program. The information on this and related pages is for our Program Assessment Team (PAT) and any other interested individuals or groups. For further information, please see "More about program assessment" below or contact our office at fygrant@uaf.edu, (907) 474-7086.

Final report

Report of the National Sea Grant Program Assessment Team's Review of the Alaska Sea Grant College Program [PDF; 1.2 MB]

Helpful information

More about program assessment

Sea Grant programs are assessed every five years. Future funding levels are influenced by the "grade" each program receives. The Program Assessment Team (PAT) plays an important role in this process. A final evaluation by NOAA's National Sea Grant Office takes place in the year following the PAT visit, and relies heavily on the information gathered by the PAT. The PAT report and recommendations are used to improve individual program performance, and provide a basis for comparison among programs over the long term.

The PAT looks at the following areas:

  1. The program's overall productivity and accomplishments relative to its strategic and implementation plan and level of support;
  2. The program's overall scientific strength (e.g., the significance of scientific advances, the rigor of the planning process, the level to which available university talent and resources have been brought to bear on program goals and objectives, the success in meeting these goals, and publications and other forms of output);
  3. The productivity and effectiveness of the program's outreach and educational activities;
  4. The effectiveness of the institutional management team in planning and meeting stated goals and objectives, and in providing overall leadership for the program;
  5. The use of internal linkages among the program elements and the ability of the program to integrate program elements to address priorities (e.g., research, education, extension, communications, and management);
  6. The program's position and role in its academic setting;
  7. The program's linkages with other Sea Grant programs, state and regional academic institutions, state, NOAA and other federal agencies, and the private sector;
  8. The program's industrial and user group linkages; and
  9. Considering all the above, the program's potential for growth.

The role of the PAT is not limited to assessment, but includes recommendations for improvement. Future program evaluation and merit-based funding decisions will rely on the PAT evaluation and recommendations. The PAT also plays an important role in discussing the Sea Grant program with institutional representatives.

Public comment

Public comment on the performance of Alaska Sea Grant was invited. An online comment form was provided; refer to the public comment news release for more information. The formal deadline for comments to be considered by the Program Assessment Team was August 18, but you are still encouraged to tell us what you think. We welcome your feedback at any time.