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: ___Welding Technology___________________ Program Review Authors: ____Danny Walker ______________________________ Summary and Recommendations: 1. 1. Program strengths: 1. Growing; 2. Faculty dedication; 3. Program run successfully by part-time faculty 4. New equipment and additional classes 5. Evening program Monday - Friday Serves many programs and industries 2. Program challenges/obstacles: In the past not being able to offer enough classes for student interest; Facility Safety issues – lighting Some ventilation and heating issues Equipment old and in need of maintenance Availability of maintenance person is challenging 3. Commendations: Program run successfully by part-time faculty Serves many programs and industries Commendation to Garry Patrick for attention to some of the safety issues (lighting); Creative course offering to allow students access to a deficit of equipment; Entire course curriculum re-written and put through curriculum committee by one part-time faculty member; PRC workshop in Spring 09, Danny assisted in finalizing the template; Additional Comments: The program has been run only by part-time faculty. To satisfy the maximum number of students, the instructor teaches three 2-unit courses versus one 4-unit course plus one 2-unit course. This has allowed the largest number of student enrollment with respect to associate faculty allowed TLU’s. This current semester, that the instructor is able to offer the degree-oriented students their four unit courses and have them potentially complete courses in a timely manner will be even greater success. Ventilation withdraws smoke fumes – necessary but antiquated Heating often not working – in need of maintenance Determine location of any new equipment, within safety guidelines Recommendations: Safety issues New and updated equipment Find dedicated and adequate space for new equipment 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. 7. 4. Program Budget/Funding Sources: Maintenance of facilities and equipment 5. Program Goals/Plans: Determine location of any new equipment, within safety guidelines; Revision of certificates and degrees and obtain Chancellor approval; Continue to update course outlines and degrees Pursue Grant funding for new and maintained equipment 6. Program Outcomes Assessment (PLOs/SLOs): Based on assessment, rewriting course curriculum to meet current needs; Assessment data is clear cut 7. Student Success/Achievement Basic Skills obstacles/challenges: Relatively small number of student data Grant being pursued for new equipment in Spring 2010 8% improvement in success rate 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.