Introduction

Minutes

Members

Those Present:
Kristin Anderson - Chair, Dental Programs, Dale Doubleday - Computer Graphic Design, Dianne Geddis - Massage Therapy, Kathy Green - Chair, Applied Business, Kay Hilder - Interpreter Preparation, Helen Houser - Medical Assisting/Patient Care Technician, Willie Jones - Applied Business, Pamela Reed - Photography, Ken Roberts - Interior Design, Diane Stark - Computer Information Systems, Julie Stiak - Health Care Core Program, Janet Wilburn - Dental Assisting, Rick Wilson - Justice Agencies Support

Welcome and Introductions - Kristin Anderson, Occupational Assessment Chair, opened the meeting. Each participant introduced themselves.

A Power Point presentation brought participants up to date on the progress of the committee since it began its work in 2000. Assessment is an important tool to improve the teaching and learning of each program. It is also required by the Community College Board and the HLC - Higher Learning Commission (previously NCA) for accreditation.

All the directors of every occupational program at Phoenix College are members of this committee with a steering committee of four members, Kristin Anderson, Kay Hilder, Diane Stark and Helen Houser.

Outcome Statement #1 - The first Outcome Statement was accepted by the majority of program directors in October of 2000, and is now being utilized by each department. It states:

Occupational Programs at Phoenix College will prepare students for the workforce.

There is a committee website where every department can post and update their matrix for the first Outcome Statement:

http://www.pc.maricopa.edu/departments/Administration/IAP/assessment/outcomes

It is helpful to see how other departments are measuring success in these areas. Postings for the 2002-2003 year are available on the website. Yearly updates to your matrix should be made in March or April of each year. You can download your matrix from the website, update and then e-mail to Emily Lander for posting. Emily is also a great resource for help with the posting of your matrix and in analyzing data obtained from your program. (Emily can put surveys into a Scantron format so and they can be easily tallied and analyzed.)

Committee members discussed their experiences with the assessment process to date. A problem area for one member arose because of the large number (500-600) of students taking classes from his department. Obtaining and tallying this many surveys was overwhelming. After some discussion, it was decided that only completers of the programs should be surveyed. This would cut the number of respondents to 100 students per year. Admissions can supply this information.

It was also suggested that directors keep an e-mail tree for graduates of their programs. This way, graduate surveys can be sent to them via e-mail. One department keeps graduates on their e-mail list by sending out postings of job opportunities.

Kristin emphasized the importance of posting any changes made to your programs as a result of any assessment information collected. This completes the feedback loop.

Outcome Statement #2 - The second Outcome Statement was adopted by the steering committee in the Spring of 2003. Input is needed from the Program Directors before the statement can be put into effect. The statement reads:

Students in occupational programs at Phoenix College will exhibit professional behaviors.

The rubric draft for Outcome #2 was discussed. The directors suggested the following changes in bold italics to the matrix:

- Under the Behavior column, the following change was suggested:
Oral/written/signed Communications - Ability to give and receive accurate oral (or signed) and written and signed information

- Under the Oral/written/Signed Communications, Acceptable column:
Generally communicates clear and accurate information

- Under the Oral/written/Signed Communications, Accomplished column:
Outstanding ability to clearly and accurately communicate information

- Under the Accomplished column of Professional Appearance:
Very careful about personal appearance, properly dressed almost all the time

All (100%) of the Program Directors present adopted Outcome Statement #2.

Adjournment - The meeting adjourned at 4:00 PM. The results of changes made to the Outcome Statement #2 rubric will be posted on the website.