First
Year College
What
have we learned about our program through engaging in the assessment
process?
The FYC
has always had a strong assessment component since its creation
in 1995. In general that ongoing assessment process, including annual
reports and a five-year review for 1995-2000, has demonstrated that
the FYC is accomplishing the goals/objectives that were established
when the FYC was created. All of those objectives are based on assisting
freshmen in their adjustment to NC State and assisting them in selecting
realistic college majors and career choices.
In recent
years we have learned that the assessment process was to some extent
insulated from the day-to-day work of the FYC and that there was
only limited input into the assessment process by the FYC advisers.
Until July 2003 we had an outside consultant who handled much of
the assessment process for us. That consultant did meet with our
staff of a regular basis to plan assessment activities and reports
were shared with all staff members, but it was not really an inclusive
process. As we moved into incorporating assessment into our introductory
courses (MDS 101A and 102A), there was much more participation in
the assessment process.
What
have we improved in our program through engaging in the assessment
process?
We are
moving towards making the assessment process a more inclusive process
that involves more if not all of the FYC staff members. Using the
emphasis of incorporating assessment into our course activities,
we have acknowledged the need to involve all of the instructors
in the planning for those activities and to do so in a timely manner.
Discussing and planning the activities before or at the beginning
of the semester is a goal of our program based on staff input.
What
policy changes have we made as a result of engaging in the assessment
process?
In keeping
with the improvements noted above and making the process a more
inclusive process we have instituted the following:
Promoted
a FYC adviser to the position of Asst. Director for Assessment
and given that person a reduction in their teaching load to accommodate
the new responsibilities. This person will replace the outside
consultant we had been using to oversee much of our assessment
work and will bring the process closer to the FYC staff. In addition,
we have an Assessment Committee to work with the new Asst. Director
for Assessment which will also increase regular and ongoing involvement
in the assessment process by the FYC staff.
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