Section III: Comprehensive Standards

3.3.1  The institution identifies expected outcomes for its educational programs and its administrative and educational support services; assesses whether it achieves these outcomes; and provides evidence of improvement based on analysis of those results.

JUDGMENT OF COMPLIANCE

Compliance.

NARRATIVE/JUSTIFICATION FOR JUDGMENT OF COMPLIANCE

Northeast Alabama Community College demonstrates compliance in the identification and assessment of outcomes and in the implementation of change based upon careful assessment. The Mission and Goals Statement identifies expected outcomes for the educational programs and for administrative and educational support services. Each curricular, administrative, and educational support unit states its unit purpose with relation to the institutional mission and annually sets goals, or desired outcomes, within that unit purpose. The goal statements are submitted each August to the Office of Institutional Effectiveness.

Each unit evaluates its goals nine months later, assessing results and indicating what improvement has resulted. The unit identifies how it has used or will use the results of assessment in further planning and refinement of its services.

On a wider perspective, the Institutional Effectiveness Plan takes the goals (outcomes) expressed in the mission statement and clarifies the aspects of the college that fall within those goals, the measures that can serve as indicators that the mission goals are being accomplished. The document Information on Fulfillment of the Mission assembles data relative to each mission goal, for review by the Institutional Management and Planning Committee. Observations from that review are incorporated into annual Directive Goals, which give focus for the ensuing planning cycle.

Example 1

Mission Statement Goals Two and Three

General education at the freshman and sophomore levels that prepares students to continue their education through transfer.

Courses in transfer and career programs that are available, accessible, and affordable to students.  

Math and Sciences Division:  Purpose, Goals for 2002-2003, Evaluation and Use of Results

Purpose

The faculty of the Math and Science Division strive to fulfill the Mission of Northeast Alabama Community College by doing the following:

1.   Teaching math and science courses for transfer to four-year institutions, and for other programs.  Making sure that the students have meaningful laboratory experiences in all science classes.

2.     Providing developmental math courses in an accessible manner for those students who need further preparation to be ready for college math courses.

3.      Advising students in academic and career areas.

4.      Helping to fulfill the overall Mission of the College by serving on committees.

5.   Providing community outreach by sponsoring an annual math tournament for area secondary schools.

6.     Providing an avenue of activity and opportunity for leadership for students who have an interest in math by sponsoring the Mu Alpha Theta math club.

Goals for 2002-2003

1.    To improve the advising process in the Math and Science Division by strongly suggesting that each student obtain a copy of the STARS Program for his/her major.

2.    To plan and implement the refurbishing of all of the science labs making sure they are safe and functional. This goal is the top priority for the Division.

3.      To develop and implement a safety plan for the Division labs.

4.     To involve adjunct faculty in the upgrading of all of the labs and in implementing the new safety plan.

5.      To make students aware of the division tutorial program.

6.     To consult very early in the semester to make sure that each student is in the appropriate level math and science class.

7.      To allow the student to move back to the appropriate math class.

8.      To upgrade the Math and Science Web page.

How goals will be evaluated: 

1.     Each instructor will monitor the advisee files on a continual basis to encourage the use of the STARS program.

2.   The division faculty will develop a list of repairs and equipment that will be needed to upgrade the labs.

3.     A review of the existing plan and implementation of a new safety plan will be conducted in February 2003.

4.   Committees of adjunct faculty will be formed and in-service meetings will be held to ensure the involvement of adjunct faculty in the lab upgrades and safety plan implementation.

5.    Continual consultation with students by faculty to ensure that the students are aware of tutorial programs and that the students are properly placed in math and science classes.

6.     The division faculty will monitor the Web page for progress throughout the year.  

May 2003 Evaluation

1.   The Math and Science advisors have made a concerted effort to make sure that all advisees obtain and follow a STARS program. All advisors have given each new advisee a copy of the instructions on how to access the STARS program.

2.   The Math and Science faculty developed a comprehensive list of repairs needed to upgrade both science buildings. This list was submitted to Dr. Woods and Dr. Campbell. On October 25, 2002, the Math and Science faculty donned work clothes and started the renovation process by removing obsolete Spanish Lab equipment and moving Lab tables to the Knox building. This work took place in MS 117, 112, and 122. The maintenance staff and contractors have redone the Lab in MS 125. This room is almost ready. The only thing that MS 117 lacks is a white board. More work is needed in MS 112 and MS 122. The maintenance staff continues to work from the list submitted by the Math and Science faculty.

3.    Ed Behel has developed a safety plan. This plan has been published, and Mr. Behel functions as the safety contact person.

4.    A committee of adjunct faculty met to discuss their needs and how the Labs could be improved for adjunct instructors. Given the feedback from several adjuncts, this seemed to foster more involvement.

5.     Tutoring schedules were posted and announced to all faculty members. 

6.    Several students took advantage of moving back to a more appropriate level mathematics class.

7.     The Web page has been updated to reflect activities and events of the Math and Science division, such as the math tournaments and Mu Alpha Theta events.

May 2003 Use of Evaluation Results

The Math and Science faculty will certainly make use of the renovated rooms and laboratories to make scheduling easier. This increase in lab space will allow for the addition of biology classes.

Safety considerations in all science labs are always a concern.  Having an organized safety plan with a key person in charge will greatly improve the safety of the students. Mr. Behel will keep all science faculty informed of lab safety. The process of insuring lab safety is an ongoing process and must be foremost in the minds of all lab instructors.

Making adjunct faculty feel more a part of the division has helped have a more consistent and uniform delivery of subject matter.

Stressing the importance of making sure that all students are in the appropriate level mathematics class is always a division priority. The students who took advantage of adjusted placement during the fall and spring semester have done well and feel that they are now ready for the next class.

Example 2

Mission Statement Goal Six

Technical, vocational and career education programs that prepare students for employment in occupational fields and which lead to certificates, diplomas, and/or associate degrees.

Emergency Medical Services Program:  Purpose, Goals for 2002-2003, Evaluation and Use of Evaluation Results

Purpose

In accordance with the mission of the College and the Alabama College System, the purpose of the EMS department is to help students in attaining their educational goals.  Specifically, the EMS department strives to prepare entry level EMTs who are knowledgeable in their field, responsive to service in their community, and dedicated to continued expansion of human understanding through study. 

Goals for 2002-2003

1.      Develop a method with which to evaluate every objective of the paramedic program.

2.      Network all computers in the EMS building for greater efficiency.

3.      Renovate room 102 in the EMS building for better and more efficient use of space.

4.      Reconfigure A.A.S. in EMS – EMS Management program to allow for financial            

      feasibility.

How goals will be evaluated:

1.      By utilizing the instrument and noting deficiencies.

2.      By testing the network.

3.      By surveying faculty to determine if classroom space is used more efficiently and if learning environment is improved.

4.      Evaluate costs and income potential.

May 2003 Evaluation

1.      A spreadsheet that includes every objective of the national curriculum for paramedics has been developed and divided by course number. These will be implemented for the next paramedic class.

2.      With the assistance of Judith Lea, all computers in the EMS building have been networked and may now share files and printers.

3.      Dr. Campbell approved of the project and allowed the funds to be budgeted. However, he cautioned that the maintenance department might not have time to tackle the project this year. Because they have been so busy with other construction projects, we have not formally requested the renovation.

4.      The program has been reconfigured and will utilize the resources of other departments to teach required classes. For instance, rather than take EMS 236 Human Resource Management the student may take BUS 276 Human Resource Management. This should result in larger class sizes without additional outlay of funds for paying an adjunct to teach low enrollment classes. 

May 2003 Use of Evaluation of Results

1.     The aforementioned spreadsheet will be utilized by instructors to assure that paramedic students achieve competency in all the objectives in the national standard curriculum. Each student will be required to keep up with his or her own data, which will assure computer use within the program.

2.   Students may now print from any computer in the EMS lab. Instructors may also use computers in each classroom for presentations, Internet use, and to print from. A current short-term goal is to secure a video server that would allow instructors and students to view any of the EMS instructional videos from any computer on the network.

3.    This goal will likely be listed next year in an effort to make the best use of the limited space available.

4.     This will make it easier for students to complete the program and will do so in such a way that will be fiscally responsible.          

Examples 1 and 2 above are drawn from Unit Goals, Evaluation, Use of Results, Year 2002-2003, which is provided in full in the documentation for this section. Example 3 demonstrates review of data supporting one of the institutional mission goals and action taken based on the review.

Example 3

Mission Statement Goal One:

An “open-door” admission policy which ensures nondiscriminatory educational opportunities for citizens of all races, creeds, colors, national origins, genders, ages, disabilities, or social groups.

The following data were assembled for assessment of mission goal one: 

·         NACC Students by Race and Ethnicity, Fall 2002

·         NACC Student Gender Characteristics at Age Ranges, Fall 2002

·         NACC Students by Age Grouping, Fall 2002

·         DeKalb and Jackson Counties Race Profile (Census data of 2000)

·         DeKalb and Jackson County Hispanic Population, 2000

·         NACC Students on Need-based Federal Financial Aid, Fall 2002

·         NACC Students on Scholarship, Fall 2002

·         Graduating High Schools of NACC Fall 2002 Students

·         Freshmen Age 18 or Under Fall 2002, GPA at End of First Term

·         Freshmen Age 19-21 Fall 2002, GPA at End of First Term

·         NACC Admissions to Awards Fall 2000 to Spring 2002

·         Admissions to Awards Fall 1999 to Spring 2002:  Analysis by Gender and Race. 

These data are presented in the document Information on Fulfillment of the Mission, May 2003.

Upon review of the data on fulfillment of Mission Goal One, the Institutional Management and Planning Committee drew the following conclusion that appears as one of the five Directive Goals established to focus planning for the 2003-2004 year

2003-2004 Directive Goal Four:

An examination of retention rates at NACC demonstrates that college personnel should seek ways to assist students in completing educational goals.

Supporting the emphasis set by this Directive Goal, the curricular divisions set the following annual goals, among others:

Business and Computer Science Division:

1.      Encourage advisees to come by the office and plan term schedules as more students are allowed to register online.

Adult Education and Skills Training, Emergency Medical Services Program:

1.   Establish a student organization to recognize (and motivate) EMS students.

English and Fine Arts Division:

1.   To improve instructional techniques and assessment procedures for developmental English and reading courses.

Health Science Division:

1.  Maintain an attrition rate of less than 40 percent through academic advisement, counseling, testing and remediation.

Math and Science Division:

1.     Continue to improve the advising process in the Math and Science Division by strongly suggesting that each student obtain a copy of the STARS Program for his/her major.

2.      Make students aware of the division tutorial program.

3.     Consult very early in the semester to make sure that each student is in the appropriate math level and science class and, if not, allow the student to move to the appropriate level.

4.      Reduce the biology class size by expanding course offerings.

5.      Biology instructors will intervene early with students who are failing.

Social Sciences, Speech, and Foreign Language Division

1.      Improve student advisement.

2.      Enhance student retention.

3.      Accommodate learning and physical disabilities of students.

4.      Enhance instruction by using technology and recommending additions to the LRC. 

The Directive Goals resulting from the observations of the IMP Committee further served to influence the selection of the topic for the Quality Enhancement Plan:  creation of program which will integrate instruction and student support services in order to promote the success of students who enroll in developmental courses. The college budgeting process will allocate necessary resources as the plan is developed. This plan and its implementation are expected to engage the focused attention of the faculty and staff over several years, with the ultimate intent of enhancing student learning outcomes and increasing success and completion rates.

The annual goals set by the divisions, meanwhile, will be reviewed and evaluated in April 2004, with results or findings of the evaluation to be applied for improvement or taken into consideration with continued goal-setting and planning. The Institutional Management and Planning Committee will again review indicators of success, through an updated Information on Fulfillment of the Mission in May 2004 and will identify Directive Goals for the 2004-2005 year.

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