October 4, 2006

8:00 a.m.
Livingston Lord Library 120D

Present: Jean Sando, chair; Tim Decker, Ellen Hill, Mike McCord, Margaret Sankey,
Brian Smith, Stacy Voeller

Absent: Rajiv Kalra

Minutes: The minutes of September 27, 2006 were tabled to next week.

U.S. Department of Education Test of Leadership: Sando noted that page 22 is a key page as it gives examples of student learning assessments; The Collegiate Learning Assessment, The National Survey of Student Engagement and the Community College Survey of Student Engagement, and The national Forum on College-Level Learning. The report also proposes a closer alignment between high schools and colleges as one recommendation to help students become better prepared for college. The cost of national standardized tests/surveys was discussed.

Update on Department Meetings: Sando reported on meetings held last week with English and Mathematics departments to discuss assessment of Foundation Four courses.

IPESL Proposals: Sando reported she is preparing five proposals – Critical and Multicultural Thinking (CMT) qualitative, Mathematics, English ACT, English Composite, and Communication Studies. Depending on funds available the CMT proposal might be dropped in favor proposals that are being prepared by CMT faculty. Sando will send the proposals to the committee for review.

Dragon Core Assessment Plan: It was noted that currently there is not an Inner Cluster elective course in mathematics being offered, so only DC 4-7 will be focused on for assessment of the Inner Cluster elective courses. Discussion on the types of assessments that could be used ensued. It was noted that only the Graduate Records Exam and possibility the Law School Admissions Tests focus questions on the competency areas of DC 4-7. It was noted these standardized tests are knowledge based and the student competencies of the four areas are not. Discussion on separating assessment of the Inner Cluster elective courses and Middle Cluster courses followed noting that class size would probably factor in the assessment results. Further discussion was tabled to next week. Sando will provide enrollment data for Fall 2006 offerings for both Inner Cluster and Middle Cluster courses. It was suggested that not only should the Corrick Center data be included in University data report, but also extrapolated for use by the Corrick Center as well.

Use of portfolios was discussed along with what should include in a student portfolio. Use of reflective portfolios in Outer Cluster was discussed. Establishing guidelines for portfolios was discussed along with options for harvesting assignments from instructors. It was noted that if portfolios are used students will need to be well informed on the Dragon Core so the class materials selected for inclusion reflect the student competencies of each area. Further discussion was tabled to next week. Members are also to consider the issue of all courses in a given competency area only addressing the same three student competencies and not addressing the others.

Next Meeting: Wednesday, October 11, 2006.

The meeting adjourned at 8:50 a.m.

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