BRING YOUR “A” GAME: Actions for Adapting and Assessing Your Current FoE Programs,

Accomplishments and Adjustments

Dr. Barbara KeenerDr. Kathy Clark

February 22, 2013

Outline of Presentation

• Introduction• Background of the Program (Foundations of

Excellence)• Outcomes of the Study (Implementation and

Assessment)• Accomplishments and Adjustments (Lessons

Learned)• Conclusion

Background of the Program

(Foundations of Excellence)

FoE Self-StudyAt the conclusion of the year-long study :

• College participation (148 faculty and staff)

• 120 recommendations from the 9 dimension reports(Philosophy, Organization, Transition, Faculty/Campus Culture, All Students, Learning Diversity, Roles and Purpose and Improvement)

A Task Force divided the approximately 120 recommendations from the FoE self-study into six categories. The following six categories provided the framework for the first-year program:

Student LearningStudent Support

Training and Development Orientation

Communication Evaluation

Refer to Handouts

• Goals of the course were developed• Professional Development training modules were

developed for faculty and staff• Student learning outcomes and assessments were

established• A course name and logo was designed• A pilot course was implemented in Spring 2012

with full implementation scheduled for Fall 2016

Outcomes of the Study

(Implementation and Assessment)

•

To what extent did the following have on the creation, development and implementation of the First-Year Experience course?

a. Financial Resources1. No effect2. Some effect 3. Significant effect Explain_______________

Stage 1 Interview Protocol Findings

a. Financial Resources1. No effect2. Some effect (57.1%)3. Significant effect (42.9%)Explain_______________

Findings (Continued)b. Human Resources1. No effect 2. Some effect 3. Significant effectExplain_______________

b. Human Resources1. No effect (7.2%)2. Some effect (57.1%)3. Significant effect(35.7%)Explain_______________

c. Curriculum1. No effect 2. Some effect 3. Significant effect Explain______________

Findings (Continued)

c. Curriculum1. No effect 2. Some effect (28.6%)3. Significant effect (71.4%)Explain______________

d. Organizational Leadership1. No effect2. Some effect 3. Significant effect Explain______________

d. Organizational Leadership1. No effect2. Some effect (14.3%)3. Significant effect (85.7%)Explain______________

e. College Processes and Procedures 1. No effect

2. Some effect3. Significant effect Explain______________

Findings (Continued)

e. College Processes and Procedures 1. No effect (7.2%)

2. Some effect (21.4%)3. Significant effect (71.4%)Explain______________

• Effect of College Resources on the first-year experience course, in order of importance:

• Organizational Leadership• Curriculum• College Processes and Procedures• Financial Resources• Human Resources

Summary of Interview Protocol Findings

1. What do you consider to be the most important considerations in the creation of the First-Year Experience

course?

Planning and development (Committees)

Support from leadership

Faculty Issues (buy-in)

Stage 2Focus Group Interview Findings

2. What do you consider to be the most important considerations in the development of the First-Year Experience course?

Leadership

Faculty Training and Development

Student Population (Target market)

3. What do you consider to be the most important considerations in the implementation of the First-Year Experience course?

Communication Issues

Advising and Registration

Training and Development

4. If you received the opportunity to revise the entire process of creating, developing and implementing the First-Year Experience course what, if anything, would you change?

Course Curriculum

Training and Development

Faculty Involvement

Advising

Administration

• 1. The creation, development and implementation of a first-year experience course requires a strategic plan that involves college-wide effort.

• 2. An organizational structure which supports the first-year experience course must be in place along with the support staff prior to the implementation of the course.

Summary and Assessment

• 3. Professional development training modules must be created to support a first-year experience course.

• 4. Standardized college processes and procedures for registering and advising the first-time-in-college students into a required first-year experience course should be established prior to the courses’ implementation.

Summary and Assessment (Continued)

1. Strong leadership2. Faculty and staff buy-in3. Provide professional development opportunities

to train faculty and staff4. College processes and procedures to implement

a required three-credit hour first year experience course need to be well-planned, specially in the areas of advising and registration.

Lessons Learned

QUESTIONS?

Conclusion

Student Focus Group Responses• "Can't mess up your life after you take this course.”

• Much needed- I would have dropped out without this class- extremely helpful.

• Learned how to think critically, learned not to give up.

• "We laugh together-like a family.”

• Because of the course, I know where to go. Learned critical thinking strategies. Learned about learning styles.

• “Helps you figure yourself out.”

Student Testimonials Final Essays• This semester has been one of my greatest pleasures and

challenges. The course specifically challenged many of my core beliefs about who I am and my abilities.

• By applying what I have learned and experienced in this course, success is the only possible outcome for me.

• All in all, I must say that I think every single new student should take advantage of this course. The help that is given in this class will go a long way to help me for the rest of my life. I am actually sad that the course is coming to an end.

Thank you for your participation!Dr Barbara Keener (barbara.keener@capella.edu)

Dr. Kathy Clark (kclark@edison.edu)