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: ____Chemistry/Physical Science___________________
Program Review Authors: _____Dave Bazard ______________________________
1.
2.
Summary and Recommendations:
1. Program strengths:
Instructors are remarkable;
Chemistry is taken primarily as GE for students;
Chemistry is critical for science majors and engineering
majors;
Additional Comments:
2. Program challenges/obstacles:
Chemistry is not a pre-req for the sciences – biology or prenursing;
Students tend to be those looking for a science course for GE
requirements;
Labs, equipment old and dysfunctional;
Lack of funding;
Growth is limited due to deficiencies of equipment and labs
3. Commendations:
In spite of challenges, faculty is doing an amazing job;
Everyone who participated in science night should be
commended;
Facilities and technology is deficient;
Maintenance is deficient;
Staffing, budget;
*Deferred maintenance is a problem campus-wide
4. Program Budget/Funding Sources:
Imperative Science Labs should get priority funding for the
success of the program (originally Bond Q funding);
Bond funds slated for sciences maintenance was cut;
Grant writer?
Recommendations:
Find funding for labs, equipment
5. Program Goals/Plans:
Increase student interest and awareness of chemistry in the
science track;
Building enrollment;
Process:
PRC will forward completed Executive Summaries to program review authors.
Authors will have two weeks to provide feedback and corrections on errors of fact and/interpretation
PRC will forward Executive Summaries and authors response (if available) to the appropriate integrated
planning committee and the CPC.
6. Program Outcomes Assessment (PLOs/SLOs):
Assessment is moving in positive direction; ongoing,
Working toward developing and refining documentation
Exit surveys
7. Student Success/Achievement Basic Skills
obstacles/challenges:
Basic skills are critical in all chemistry and sciences courses
Issues Across all Disciplines:
Facilities and technology is deficient;
Maintenance is deficient;
Regular funding for software for all programs
Staffing and faculty budget is deficient;
Deferred maintenance is a problem campus-wide
Lack of replacement of lost faculty; finding qualified faculty to teach
Challenge that IT doesn’t support Mac Computers; most science, math and arts use Mac computers
Need for transcript evaluator and document imaging system will support all disciplines.
Need for a college-wide process to gather and assess information from students directly, both those who
graduate and those who leave for other reasons, or from transfer institutions and employers. Entry and
Exit surveys to increase student success, retention and persistence;
General: Is there a budget set aside for bulb replacement for projectors, both campus and district wide?
Process:
PRC will forward completed Executive Summaries to program review authors.
Authors will have two weeks to provide feedback and corrections on errors of fact and/interpretation
PRC will forward Executive Summaries and authors response (if available) to the appropriate integrated
planning committee and the CPC.