College of the Redwoods Program Review Committee Executive Summary Adopted November 6, 2009 Mission Statement The College of the Redwoods’ Program Review Committee leads and facilitates authentic assessment as it relates to student success and planning at the institution for all subject and service areas. The committee reviews Annual and Comprehensive Program Reviews that provide the strong foundation upon which College of the Redwoods develops, identifies, states and documents quality improvement plans and goals including providing the direction of prioritization of funding, and support needs as organized under the strategic planning objectives. Objective: To provide an evaluative Executive Summary of this program’s review for authors, the Integrated Planning Committees, and the District. Program Review Subject/Service Area: ___LA: Science _______ Program Review Authors: ____Karen Reiss________________________________________________ Summary and Recommendations: Additional Comments: 1. Program strengths:
Remarkable Faculty-both full-time and part- time
The science department is supported by strong core of very
talented instructors.
3 graduates last year
2. Program challenges/obstacles:
Keeping the level of student support staff that is critical to
maintaining the number of sections available to students
To maintain the quality we want to give our students using
outdated technology and equipment
Measure Q was supposed to update equipment in
science labs
On-line success rates are very low
Lower success rates for a few very challenging courses
3. Commendations
Success of basic skills students in math
Doing great job with outdated equipment
3 graduates last year
& Recommendations:
Look at the success of math basic skills
Use of measure Q funds to update and provide adequate
equipment in new buildings
Some course updating is needed
4. Program Budget/Funding Sources:
Red Flagged for equipment which is outdated; affecting
learning outcomes, along with other
5. Program Goals/Plans:
Plan for assessing degree level outcomes
Means of tracking students identified as LA- Science majors.
Continue to evaluate current PLO’s
Develop a community advisory group for LA Science program.
6. Program Outcomes Assessment (PLOs/SLOs):
Well designed with a clear strategy for continued development
and improvement.
This is the first program level assessment. Baseline information
Use of measure Q funds to update and provide adequate
equipment in new buildings
Discipline specific needs have tied budget SLOs, but
not yet PLOs
3 graduates for this program; transfer rates not
documented
Need a way to track majors through the liberal arts
degree programs
Process: Completed Executive Summary forms will be sent to program review authors. PRC will forward Executive Summaries to the appropriate integrated planning committees. will be used in future assessments
Course level assessments being completed
Early morning, evening, and online enrollments appear
to be increasing while mid-day enrollments are staying
relatively steady
7. Student Success/Achievement/Basic Skills
obstacles/challenges:
Retention normal; Chem. 1b lower retention but is normal;
Basic skills high even for remedial math skills
Online Success rates lower than other programs –
Lower success rates for a few very challenging courses
FLAG concern (Number of classes available might be
skewed due to lower offering count)
Process: Completed Executive Summary forms will be sent to program review authors. PRC will forward Executive Summaries to the appropriate integrated planning committees.