ACC2006-2007 ANNUAL REPORT

Update on Student Learning Outcomes 2006-2007
San Diego City College Institutional Assessment Committee
Also see our
Annual Report Update on Student Learning Outcomes 2006-2007

Introduction

In order to provide an update for San Diego City College (SDCC) on Student Learning Outcomes, a qualitative narrative overview of our process is necessary. We began the assessment of student learning outcomes at the institutional and program level. The steering committee for the work is the Institutional Assessment Committee (IAC).

 History

SDCC began Student Learning and Institutional Assessment work in May 2003. The process has involved the instructional and student services community in an institution-wide dialogue at the “grass roots” level.  Staff and faculty began with a dialogue regarding their values, the nature of their teaching, and goals for learning in their programs.  They design and measure SLOs that are unique to their programs and departments, rather than using college prescribed outcomes and assessments. A common framework for documentation provides for the culture of evidence that is needed.

 Our Process

City uses a Six Column Assessment Model (see Appendix I), that visually depicts the linkage between our college mission, institutional priorities and competencies and individual program work.  An important part of our initial efforts involved engaging the campus community in the development of Institutional Competencies. Seven competencies were collaboratively developed and collegially agreed upon over a one year period. These competencies include the overall skills, abilities and knowledge we would like to see in students as they complete their programs.

 SDCC Report

The two sections we used in providing an update on our work are: Part II: Student Learning Outcomes for Programs Leading to Certificates and Degrees and the Student Support section of Part IV: SLOs for Instructional Support and Student Support Services.
 We view this Assessment work as an ongoing process and therefore do not consider SLO work to be “complete”. Ours is an ongoing student learning outcomes assessment cycle, often referred to as the SLOAC (Student Learning Outcome Assessment Cycle). At various points in the report document, we have bolded phrasing to more accurately reflect what we are reporting.

 Where We Are Today

With on-going opportunities for training, collaboration, input, and sharing, we continue to increase meaningful departmental participation in measuring student learning and in using the data for program improvement.  This semester we instituted an all-day Classified Retreat to provide an opportunity (much like Faculty professional development days) to discuss common values and connections to student success. Administrative support insures that this will be an annual event with follow-up workshops throughout the year.

Further Information

Completed Six Column documentation is available through the Institutional Assessment Committee (IAC), website at: http://www.sdcity.edu/iac/assessment.asp, in public folders accessible through the on-campus computer system, and via individual department chairs and program directors.

 

lso see our Annual Report Update on Student Learning Outcomes 2006-2007