Basic Skills Advisory Group (BSAG) Meeting
Thursday, November 5, 2009, 1:00-2:30 P.M.
Minutes
Those in attendance:
Sara Blake; Barbara Jaffe; Cynthia Mosqueda; Art Martinez; and Julie Land
Those not in attendance:
Griselda Castro; Trudy Meyer; Suzanne Gates; Arturo Hernandez; Chelvi Subramaniam;
and Jose Villalobos
Facilitators: Dr. Barbara Jaffe, Interim Associate Dean, Academic Affairs;
Sara Blake, English Professor and Basic Skills Faculty Coordinator
I. Welcome and Introductions
II. Approval of the Minutes from the 9/24/09 meeting
III. Goals and Objectives of BSAG
The group discussed what to include in the Mission Statement. Sara took notes on the
suggestions and will draft the mission statement, which Barbara will send to the group for
approval once completed. It was decided that we would keep the name of the group as is:
Basic Skills Advisory Group (BSAG)
IV. Idea for a BSI Pilot Program
Sara discussed the proposed Learning Community pilot program, which will be
implemented for fall 2010. Students will be enrolled in linked courses with HD 8 and
Math 12, English 82, and/or English B, all on Mondays and Wednesdays. There will be
no additional expenses for this program.
V. BS Action Plan Update
Barbara briefly discussed the recent Action Plan, which was submitted to the
Chancellor’s Office by the deadline of 10/30/09. She thanked Sara for her work on the
document. She reviewed the categories and activities as well as the 09-10 budget. A
brief discussion followed about the idea of supplanting as well as sustainable programs
once the state BSI funds stop.
VI. Regional Meeting Update
Art talked about the recent BSI meeting which he attended along with other ECC faculty,
both full and part-time. He mentioned that it was wonderful to come together and discuss
aspects of what everyone was doing with regards to basic skills as well as what programs
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still need to be expanded. Discussion continued about ways to have conference
participants share their knowledge after returning to campus from their conferences.
VII. Related Topics for Discussion

Art stated that he thought it was important that the basic skills success rates be
published. Sara added that this information, by section, will be forthcoming. Art
also talked about the professional development workshops he is facilitating in the
math department. The workshops will focus on effective practices. Discussion
ensued regarding adjunct attendance at theses and various other activities.

The group talked about the CB21Coding issue. Since 2001, five math and two
English courses were not coded as basic skills courses, which has affected our
BSI apportionment. Basic skills courses are defined as two or more levels below
transfer-level. There is an upcoming CB21 Webinar Training through the
chancellor’s office.

Cynthia offered to have Theresa Clifford from the FYE office help with the Basic
Skills website as well as future meeting notes. Sara will meet with Theresa to
discuss the website. Julie Land spoke about Education Development courses and
the importance of placing information about these courses on the website to assist
basic skills instructors. The group discussed the various materials that could be
and will be posted on the site.

The group also spoke about on-line surveys for basic skills faculty. Art and Sara
will work together to create a survey with relevant questions for BSI work.

The group thought that we should have additional representation at the BSAG
meetings from Academic Senate, LRC, EOP&S, and CTE. Barbara will invite the
respective faculty and staff members to attend.
VIII
Institutional Research Update and Information
BSI monies will be used for a full-time basic skills researcher to be shared between the
Torrance and Compton campuses. The participants discussed the additional data that can
be obtained as a result of another basic skills researcher.
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The meeting was adjourned at 2:30 p.m. by Barbara Jaffe
****The next BSAG meeting will be held on Thursday, December 10th, 1-2:30 p.m.
in Adm 127.
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