REDWOODS COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT
Meeting of the Basic Skills Committee
March 22, 2013, 11:30 am – 12:30 pm FM 107
AGENDA and Notes
BSC Mission Statement
Our mission is to improve the retention, persistence, and success of basic skills students
BSC Scope/Function
To recommend and support educational programs, student support services, and matriculation policies that enhance retention,
persistence, and academic success of basic skills students.
1. To promote the use of effective practices in developmental education for administrative, student services, and
instructional programs.
2. To provide professional development regarding effective practices in developmental education.
3. To work with Institutional Research in tracking basic skills students from entry to completion.
4. To assess and evaluate the programs designed to improve student success.
5. To allocate and oversee expenditures of BSI categorical funds.
1. Call to Order
2.
Approve March 1, 2013 Notes: Corrections were made.
3.
Action Items
3.1 Award Funds for BSI Proposals: The Peloso Lexia proposal was approved.
Vinnie will try to see if the vendor can change the billing to align with the
college’s academic calendar. The Reis proposal was held pending further
discussion with the math department faculty.
4.
Discussion Items
4.1 3CSN Feedback: Vinnie will forward a general feedback summary to the
presenter.
4.2 Moving Some Basic Skills Classes to Community Education
Keith shared the concern raised by the Director of Financial Aid about a possible
problem with the financial aid eligibility of students enrolled in certain basic skills
courses. In reviewing the Federal Student Aid Handbook, dated April 2012, regulation
cite 34CFR 668.20, the Director of Financial Aid found that courses aimed at building
foundational skills in reading, writing and mathematics must be at a certain educational
level to qualify for financial aid funding. The language from the Federal Student Aid
Handbook states:
A remedial course cannot be below the educational level needed for a student to
successfully pursue her program after one year in that course. Also, remedial courses
must be at least at the high school level, as determined by the state legal authority, your
school’s accrediting agency, or the state agency recognized for approving public
postsecondary vocational education. If that agency determines that a remedial class is at
the elementary level, the school must abide by that determination, and the class cannot be
included for FSA purposes.
Presenter 9024536
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The Director of Financial Aid is concerned that our Reading 360, and possibly Math 372
and English 350 courses may not be considered “at least at the high school” level.
The BSC agreed that the Reading 360 and Math372 are below high school level
(elementary level) and therefore shouldn’t be included in student financial aid. The
committee is uncertain about English 350 and Math 376—which may be three levels
below transfer. Math 380 is two levels below transfer.
Keith suggested moving forward with transitioning Reading 360 and Math 372 to
community education or non-credit. Keith will set up a meeting with Julie Peterson to
uncover options and requirements. The BSC stressed the importance of building
pedagogical bridges between credit and noncredit.
4.3 Strategies to Improve Basic Skills Student Success
5.
Reports
6.
Introduction of new, temporary IR staff: Angelina introduced the new temporary
IR support staff member.
7.
Adjournment
8.
Next meeting
Lynn Thiesen discussion of basic skills/financial aid issue.
Potential survey questions
Presenter 9024536
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