Department of Kinesiology, College of Applied Sciences and Arts Program Planning Committee Report to the Provost May 3, 2013 Overview The Department of Kinesiology offers the following programs: B.S. in Athletic Training B.S. in Kinesiology (emphases include: Adapted Physical Ability, Sport Management, Movement Science, Pre-Professional Studies, Societal Studies, Individual Studies/STAR 1440 Act, Exercise and Fitness) K-12 Teaching credential program (in conjunction with the School of Education) M.A. in Kinesiology (concentrations include: Athletic Training, Exercise Physiology, Sport Management, Sport Studies, generalized program) Strengths and Challenges of the Program The strategic plan 2017 was the strongest component of the Department of Kinesiology Program Planning document. It presents a vision and a blueprint of what the department will be thriving to achieve in five years. The assessment plan is an important component of this blueprint and serious consideration should be given to selecting and implementing authentic assessment strategies to gauge the impact of this vision. The program plan and the outside evaluator report included the strengths and the challenges facing the Kinesiology program. The department is currently impacted and, as a result, has developed strategies to improve enrollment management with particular emphasis on SB 1440 transfer students. The department course offerings serve both department majors and the university as whole through extensive GE courses. Additionally, the Department of Kinesiology has served the Santa Clara County community in managing the Timpany Center since 2009. The Center has a warm water pool, a spa, classroom and research spaces, a gym, and a rehabilitation physical therapy clinic. The Timpany Center provides access to 5,000 people monthly, and provides a great opportunity for Kinesiology majors to obtain practical experiences. The external evaluator cited the following challenges: 1. There are insufficient resources and support to teach graduate course offerings; 2. Additional faculty should be recruited in order to address pedagogical needs in the program, as well as community needs through management of the Timpany Center; 3. Some emphases within the program are under enrolled. enrollment emphases should be re-organized and combined with others; and 4. There is a need to improve student advising. Assessment It is clear that the Kinesiology faculty have given considerable thought to assessment of student learning in the programs offered by the department and that there are ongoing efforts to learn from their findings and make programmatic changes supported by data and faculty reflection. Undergraduate Program. Student learning assessment information is provided in the appendices of the program plan for several of the student learning objectives (SLOs) in the major. During the period of review, new program learning objectives (PLO’s) and SLO’s were developed as a result of program planning. Indirect assessment of outcomes was assessed using an extensive exit interview questionnaire. Additionally, the report indicated that the AAC&U critical thinking value rubric was used to assess gains in critical thinking skills by comparing performance on an essay in a lower-division, introductory course (Kin 70) and in an upper division (Kin 185) capstone course. It is not clear whether formal statistical analyses were used to evaluate data or whether conclusions were based on faculty discussion of rubrics; however, no differences were seen between students in taking the introductory kinesiology course (Kin 70) and the capstone course. Obviously, significant changes would be expected and some reflection regarding these data was described in the report; however, no substantive changes in curriculum appear to be under consideration that specifically addresses critical thinking, 1 nor was there discussion of how the validity or reliability of the AAC&U value rubric may have accounted for their observations. It is also not clear whether this was the same cohort followed over time or two different cohorts were assessed. Use of similar instruments in the assessment of newly developed PLO’s and SLO’s is recommended, including more descriptive information regarding the cohorts assessed and methodologies and analyses used. The program plan indicated that a major revision of assessment strategies was implemented at the end of the spring 2012 semester that will reflect the newly developed PLOs and CLOs. General Education. It appears that primary outcome measures used in GE assessments were percentages of students obtaining a “C” or better in course assignments associated with specific learning outcomes. It is not clear whether a common rubric was used in the evaluation of course assignments or whether the grading was normed between sections. While grades represent the extent to which a student has successfully met the faculty member's requirements and expectations for a course, the many factors contributing to an assigned grade makes it almost impossible to make inferences about what a student knows or can do by only looking at the grades for a course (Rogers, 2003). Graduate Program Assessment. The M.A. program in Kinesiology was redeveloped in 2008 as a response to the recommendations of the previous program planning and outside evaluation in 2007. The revised program reduced the number of concentrations from 11 to five, required a higher GPA for entering the program, and required a GRE score of > 900. New PLO’s and SLO’s were developed and the report indicated that assessment would take place in the 2012 spring semester. There was no information about how these were evaluated. The final step in the program planning process is a scheduled meeting with Provost Junn (or her designee), AVP of Undergraduate Studies Jaehne, AVP of Graduate Studies and Research Stacks, Dean Bullock, and Department Chair Reekie. The Chair may invite directors of programs within the department. The department of Kinesiology should contact the Office of Undergraduate Studies to schedule this final meeting. The following topics for discussion are summarized from the reports: Determine appropriate faculty resources for undergraduate/graduate programs, including those for GE; Identify strategies for the improvement of assessment strategies that will impact long-term outcomes such as improved graduation rates; Improved strategies to increase faculty scholarship involving students. The Program Planning Committee recommends acceptance of the Program Plan. The Program Plan provided a good examination of current, and ongoing, issues and an explanation of plans for subsequent reviewers. The next program plan for Kinesiology will be due to Dean Bullock by Fall 2016. Spring 2013 University Planning Committee Members Debra Caires (Chair) Yasue Kodama Yanai Amy D’Andrade Anthony Raynsford Alaka Rao Sutee Sujitparapitaya Dennis Jaehne Julio Soto Pam Stacks Diana Wu Linda Main Mary Wilson CC: Michael Crump Wenbin Wei Jinny Rhee Jeffrey Hummel Lynda Heiden Mary Calegari Shirley L. Reekie, Chair, Department of Kinesiology Charles Bullock Dean, College of Applied Sciences and Arts Alice Hines, Interim Associate Dean, College of Applied Sciences and Arts Shannon Bros-Seemann, Chair, Curriculum and Research Dennis Jaehne, AVP Undergraduate Studies Pam Stacks, AVP Graduate Studies and Research 2 Appendix Description of the Department and Programs: Program Plan submitted in March, 2012. Kinesiology offers courses in GE. The number of majors increased from 778 (fall 2007) to 845 (fall 2011). Program Modifications Program modifications during the period of review included a revision of core courses, the complete re-development of their M.A. program, and the proposed renovation of the current facilities to begin in spring 2013. One of the recommendations for the previous review that was discussed in the report is the inadequate number of faculty members in the Department of Kinesiology. The report indicates that faculty were hired, but the exact number of hired and current faculty was neither in the report or the appendices. Faculty Tenured and tenure-track faculty This information was not provided either in the program planning report or the appendix. Scholarly, University, and Professional Activity The program plan reported that faculty are engaged in scholarly activity. However, a table in the report or in the appendix section showing the number of publications was not included. Part-time Faculty/Lecturers: This information was not provided either in the program planning report or the appendix. Internal and External Funding The program plan reported that faculty have obtained funding internally and externally to support research. However, a table in the report or in the appendix section showing the number grants obtained was not included. Clerical Support This information was not provided either in the program planning report or the appendix. Use of Technology, Equipment, and Facilities This information was not provided either in the program planning report or the appendix. College Committee Summary: The committee recognizes the need for additional faculty in order to maintain the continuity in courses that require an expertise in exercise and rehabilitative science and teacher education. Currently, many of their sections are running at full and/or over capacity. To decrease program costs, the committee recognizes that many of their degree emphases could be consolidated in the future; however, providing course-offering rotations would provide a limited economical benefit. The committee agrees to examine ways to increase numbers within their graduate athletic training program, and is confident that they can and are strategically planning for student growth, along with the anticipation of being able to hire a new TT faculty member in the future. 3 The committee agrees that a strong program structure and up-to-date research opportunities provide a vibrant program, even during tough economic times. Their continued involvement and dedication to the community (Timpany Center) provides faculty numerous research opportunities, along with student hands-on internship/research projects. External Reviewer (Key Points) The external reviewer commended the Kinesiology faculty for being: actively engaged in their program’s progression and strategic plan; proactive in their design, approach, and delivery of pedagogy; and their innovative creation and demonstration of a structured, positive, and practical student learning community. Adding two tenure-track faculty positions pedagogy/adapted physical education at this time is critical step for maintaining the quality of the program and alleviating workload issues. Future hires should only include exercise science and pedagogy, with an emphasis in adapted physical education. The undergraduate program should be reorganized and simplified in order better to address student demand and community needs. The undergraduate sport management program might eliminated or else merged with the emphasis in Societal Studies, and the emphasis in Movement Science might also merge with Pre-Professional emphasis, thus reducing redundancy and facilitating advising. There are serious concerns about the future viability of the Athletic Training Education Program, resulting from a combination of low enrollments, insufficient mentoring, and accreditation problems at the graduate level. SJSU’s Physical Activity Program and requirement is important and should be continued within the Department of Kinesiology. Course scheduling should be made more predictable, published more in advance, and expanded to accommodate various schedules to facilitate timely graduation. Recognition for department-led scholarship and faculty vitae should be placed on the department website. Opportunities should be created for interdisciplinary endeavors within Kinesiology. A wider range of faculty expertise should be brought to the work of the Timpany Center. New faculty should be formally mentored and assisted in adapting to the high cost of living in Silicon Valley. The Kinesiology student clubs should become more visible on campus. Student advising should be enhanced to accommodate enrollment increases. The facilities need renovation and reconfiguration, dedicating separate spaces for teaching, research, labs, computer work, and student meetings. 4 The air-conditioning needs to be installed or repaired as soon as possible. Reviewer: Terry L. Rizzo, Professor/Chair of Kinesiology, CSU, San Bernardino, July 2, 2012 Dean’s Report Dean Bullock had no additional comments. If the program wants to propose additional issues for the meeting, please discuss the appropriateness of the topics with Dean Charles Bullock. 5