history problem opportunity plan. history started with state academic senate’s quest to increase...
TRANSCRIPT
HistoryProblemOpportunityPlan
History Started with
State Academic Senate’s quest to increase English and math graduation competencies
Academic Senate, Chief Instructional Officers, and Chief Student Services Officers working together
It started with an idea in March, 2006
California’s Working Definition of Basic Skills
“Skills in reading, writing, mathematics, and ESL, as well as learning skills and study skills, which are necessary for students to succeed in college-level work.”
Definition emphasizes impact on all courses
Basic Skills and Drop Outs 50% of all California community
college first-time students will drop out of college within one year (of these, 42% are recent high school graduates).
30% of all first-time students at MiraCosta will drop out of college within on year (35% are recent high school graduates)
Basic Skills in Our Classrooms
Basic Skills courses are filled with students who are not prepared to succeed in college-level courses.
Most colleges report that two-thirds of entering freshmen are below college-level in English, ESL, and/or mathematics.
Math Placement
Only 9% of CA students place in transfer-level math
At MiraCosta, 17 - 27% of students place in transfer-level math
Doesn’t just impact “basic skills” courses
Only 40% of our credit basic skills courses and 19% of our noncredit basic skills courses are taught by full-time faculty
We can do something about this now!
The State’s Commitment
Funding – For 2007 – 2008, over $200,000 for MiraCosta
Training Research
Research – What Works?
Research phase by Center for Student Success
Amazing Results !! “THE POPPY COPY” http://css.rpgroup.org
Review of Literature 30 years of practice and research Over 250 references cited Identified consistent set of
elements that commonly characterize effective basic skills practices
Research Divided into 4 Basic Areas
A. Organization and Administrative Practices (7)
Eg. – Developmental Education is a clearly stated institutional priority.
B. Program Components (4)Eg. – Orientation, assessment, and placement are mandatory.
C. Staff Development (5) Eg. – The faculty play a primary role
in planning/implementation of staff development activities in support of basic skills programs.
D. Instructional Practices (10)Eg. – Sound principles of learning theory are applied in the design and delivery of courses in the development program.
The “Poppy Copy” also includes:
• A self-assessment instrument colleges will use to assess their own status in relationship to effective teaching and learning in basic skills based upon the 26 items identified in the basic skills review of literature.
Self Assessment Tool
Each of 26 items includes: Analysis by college including:
Description of basic skills practices at the college
Evidence of practices Description of barriers/limitations Description of how to advance best
practices
How Can We Seize This Opportunity to Improve Basic Skills Education at
MiraCosta College?
Our Plan to Answer This Question
Jim Sullivan Coordinator of Basic Skills