Introduction

Minutes

Members

Assessment Committee Minutes
Date: September 9, 1999

Georgia Gudykunst, Brent Jameson, Marian Gibney, Edlyn Soderman, Yi Qin, Jan Eygendaal, Bill Coppola, Mary Ruzycki, Rosemary Schweigert, Betsy Frank

Chairman Jameson called the meeting to order. Several handouts were available to the committee members including: (1) the agenda,(2) a timeline for student academic assessment, (3) an enrollment notice for the 1999 Assessment Institute, (4) a handout from consultant Cindy L. Lynch, and (5)the booklet "Framework for Outcomes Assessment".

The agenda included seven items which appear as headings within the body of these minutes.

o Welcome and introductions
o History of assessment at PC
o Upcoming workshop
o New committees on numeracy and writing
o Update on developmental education and ESL assessment
o Program evaluation update
o Upcoming district forum

1. Welcome and introductions

Chairman Jameson welcomed the committee members to the 1999/00 academic year. Introductions were made. There are 18 members on the committee. A complete listing of committee members will appear in future minutes.
2. History and timeline (Dr. Gudykunst)

Dr. Gudykunst distributed a handout (rough draft) depicting timelines for student academic assessment. The proposed timeline runs from September 1999 through May 2001. During this academic year, the goal is to pilot a cycle that will demonstrate our effectiveness in assessing general education. To accomplish this goal, Phoenix College will conduct an assessment pilot in two general education areas: writing and numeracy. (These two areas were identified through work completed last year by the assessment committees: faculty, administration and staff.) The timeline specifies that upon completion of the pilot, a report will be written and sent to NCA. This report is to be submitted by May 1, 2000. The second portion of the timeline establishes an assessment cycle for the 2000/01 academic year. During this year, two more general education outcomes will be identified and sent through the cycle. Dr. Gudykunst also reported that NCA is giving more guidelines now and has become more clear in what their expectations are for assessment of general education.
3. Assessment workshop Oct. 5. (afternoon) with Cindy Lynch

Ms. Lynch is a consultant who will be working with us. Dean Tadano has asked that all committee members attend this workshop that is scheduled on Tuesday, October 5, tentatively from 1:00 - 4:00 pm; location is TBA for present. Those who should attend (the October 6 workshop) are: department liaisons and department chairs.. The importance of attending this workshop was emphasized even if it means obtaining a substitute for the afternoon.

Mr. Jameson then discussed the Assessment Steering Committee whose membership consists of: Dean Tadano, Dean Coppola, Dr. Gudykunst, Ms. Hopkins, Dr. Hughes, Ms. Anderson, Ms. Boschult and Mr. Jameson. The role of the steering committee is to generate ideas and to direct the work of the Assessment Committee. However, the Assessment Committee is the sanctioning committee for assessment efforts.
4. Setting up of two committees: writing, numeracy

Writing and numeracy are the first two areas of assessment. Outcomes and measurements for these two general education areas need to be identified. Chairman Jameson stated that assessment committee members are to join one of these subcommittees. Mr. Jameson requested that committee members send him an A1 as soon as possible indicating their preference.
5. Update on Developmental ED and ESL Committees

No information regarding the progress of the Developmental ED committee was available. Ms. Frank gave a brief report on the ESL committee which has its first meeting scheduled for September 21st. There followed lengthy discussion about these two areas and how they could be assessed.
6. Update on Program Evaluation process and handbook

Chairman Jameson reported that the handbook used for program evaluation has been rewritten. The new version is more reflective of the assessment process. The final draft is almost ready and will be put on the web when it is finished. Forms required for program evaluation can be downloaded into MS Word and completed. Program evaluation must be complete and signed off by April 15.
7. Invitation to attend the District Assessment Forum 9/17 1:30 - 3:30

Mr. Jameson invited members of the assessment committee to attend this forum which will be held at Mesa Community College. Please A1 him if interested. The exact location will be forwarded.

Meeting adjourned @3:00 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Betsy Frank