REDWOODS COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT
Meeting of the Assessment Committee
Eureka: 7351 Tompkins Hill Road, LRC 105
Wednesday, February 7, 2013 at 10:00 a.m.
Meeting Notes
Members Present: Rachel Anderson, Dave Bazard, Peter Blakemore, Paul Chown,
Erik Kramer, Cheryl Tucker, Sally Urban.
Members Absent: Marla Gleave, Toby Green, Angelina Hill, Clyde Johnson, Ruth
Rhodes, Shannon Sullivan.
1. Call to Order: 10:08 a.m.
Discussion Items:
2. Multiple-section Checklist for Assessment (attachment)
The committee reviewed the form, discussed the intention of the form, and decided that
the form is not a requirement. This form will be posted on the Assessment website as a
resource tool.
3. Assessment Deadlines
It was determined that there are two separate components that pertain to assessment
deadlines. One component is the actual data collection; the other is the report
submission deadline. There was discussion regarding the pros and cons of having
either earlier or later report deadlines. Many factors need to be considered, such as
future employment of part time faculty members. Maybe tying these assessment
completion requirements in with grades at the end of each term would help with
adhering to deadlines.
The committee would like to set some basic standards and expectations and have
consequences for not meeting those. Peter Blakemore said he has talked with Connie
Carlson about creating a handout of Assessment Requirements for all new faculty to
receive upon hiring. To that extent, this committee needs the backing and support of
the Academic Senate. However who then would be charged with checking for
compliance.
It was determined that the assessment data would be due when grades are due each
term. The complete assessment report deadline will be before spring break for the fall
term and the first day of instruction for the spring term. This gives faculty flex week to
work on their areas.
4. Program Assessment Dialogue Workshops
Erik Kramer plans on holding more of these workshops. He was looking for feedback
on how they are working and how to improve participation rates. Sally Urban
commented that they were very helpful and really appreciated having them available. It
was decided to still hold the drop in type workshops but in addition, individual committee
members will also volunteer to do more targeted workshops for their areas.
5. Basic Skills Assessment Dialogue Group this Friday
Erik Kramer reported there is a meeting on Friday, 2/08, 3-5pm for basic skills
assessment. In the software and program report there will be another area identified
just for basic skills.
6. Software Streamlining Near Term and Future
Erik Kramer said several improvements to the website have been discussed and
approved but we are waiting for the right time to make those changes.
The committee discussed at length how to streamline the entire process so that it is
more efficient and user friendly. All were in agreement that this needs better flow, and
needs to integrate planning and mapping into the software. However due to the nature
and scope of a project this large, this will not be immediate. Since this is a district wide
initiative, it was decided that Erik Kramer will take this to the VP of Instruction as a
committee recommendation.
Peter Blakemore suggested tying the updating of the learning outcomes directly to the
mapping piece as a required part of the normal curriculum updates so that it’s not such
a static piece.
7. GE Assessment
There hasn’t been a meeting yet. Erik Kramer has discussed with Angelina Hill the best
way for this assessment to happen. Angelina said there is a report area for GE in the
web tool (software); GE is a separate program. It was decided that the current way of
assessing GE isn’t working well. It was discussed that smaller groups or pods (by
specific areas) might be the way to go.
One specific theme that has consistently come from GE assessment is writing across
the curriculum. It was decided that perhaps a taskforce should be formed to deal with
this. The Deans needs to put this forward to the VP of Instruction and the Academic
Senate for administrative oversight.
8. Meeting Adjourned: 11:52 a.m.