BRING YOUR “A” GAME: Actions for Adapting
and Assessing Your Current FoE Programs,
Accomplishments and Adjustments
Dr. Barbara Keener
Dr. Kathy Clark
February 22, 2013
Outline of Presentation
• Introduction
• Background of the Program (Foundations of
Excellence)
• Outcomes of the Study (Implementation and
Assessment)
• Accomplishments and Adjustments (Lessons
Learned)
• Conclusion
Background of the
Program
(Foundations of
Excellence)
FoE Self-Study
At the conclusion of the year-long study :
• College participation (148 faculty and staff)
• 120 recommendations from the 9 dimension reports
(Philosophy, Organization, Transition, Faculty/Campus
Culture, All Students, Learning Diversity, Roles and
Purpose and Improvement)
A Task Force divided the approximately 120 recommendations
from the FoE self-study into six categories. The following six
categories provided the framework for the first-year program:
Student Learning
Student Support
Training and Development
Orientation
Communication
Evaluation
Refer to Handouts
• Goals of the course were developed
• Professional Development training modules were
developed for faculty and staff
• Student learning outcomes and assessments
were established
• A course name and logo was designed
• A pilot course was implemented in Spring 2012
with full implementation scheduled for Fall 2016
Outcomes of the
Study
(Implementation
and Assessment)
Stage 1
Interview Protocol Findings
•
To what extent did the following have on the
creation, development and implementation of
the First-Year Experience course?
a. Financial Resources
1. No effect
2. Some effect
3. Significant effect
Explain_______________
a. Financial Resources
1. No effect
2. Some effect (57.1%)
3. Significant effect (42.9%)
Explain_______________
Findings (Continued)
b. Human Resources
1. No effect
2. Some effect
3. Significant effect
Explain_______________
b. Human Resources
1. No effect (7.2%)
2. Some effect (57.1%)
3. Significant effect(35.7%)
Explain_______________
Findings (Continued)
c. Curriculum
1. No effect
2. Some effect
3. Significant effect
Explain______________
c. Curriculum
1. No effect
2. Some effect (28.6%)
3. Significant effect (71.4%)
Explain______________
d. Organizational Leadership
1. No effect
2. Some effect
3. Significant effect
Explain______________
d. Organizational Leadership
1. No effect
2. Some effect (14.3%)
3. Significant effect (85.7%)
Explain______________
Findings (Continued)
e. College Processes and Procedures
1. No effect
2. Some effect
3. Significant effect
Explain______________
e. College Processes and Procedures
1. No effect (7.2%)
2. Some effect (21.4%)
3. Significant effect (71.4%)
Explain______________
Summary of Interview Protocol
Findings
• Effect of College Resources on the first-year
experience course, in order of importance:
•
•
•
•
•
Organizational Leadership
Curriculum
College Processes and Procedures
Financial Resources
Human Resources
Stage 2
Focus Group Interview Findings
1. What do you consider to be the most important
considerations in the creation of the First-Year
Experience course?
Planning and development (Committees)
Support from leadership
Faculty Issues (buy-in)
2. What do you consider to be the most important
considerations in the development of the First-Year
Experience course?
Leadership
Faculty Training and Development
Student Population (Target market)
3. What do you consider to be the most important
considerations in the implementation of the FirstYear Experience course?
Communication Issues
Advising and Registration
Training and Development
4. If you received the opportunity to revise the entire
process of creating, developing and implementing the
First-Year Experience course what, if anything, would
you change?
Course Curriculum
Training and Development
Faculty Involvement
Advising
Administration
Summary and Assessment
• 1. The creation, development and
implementation of a first-year experience
course requires a strategic plan that involves
college-wide effort.
• 2. An organizational structure which supports
the first-year experience course must be in
place along with the support staff prior to the
implementation of the course.
Summary and Assessment (Continued)
• 3. Professional development training modules
must be created to support a first-year
experience course.
• 4. Standardized college processes and
procedures for registering and advising the firsttime-in-college students into a required first-year
experience course should be established prior to
the courses’ implementation.
Lessons Learned
1. Strong leadership
2. Faculty and staff buy-in
3. Provide professional development
opportunities to train faculty and staff
4. College processes and procedures to
implement a required three-credit hour first
year experience course need to be wellplanned, specially in the areas of advising and
registration.
QUESTIONS?
Conclusion
Student Focus Group Responses
• "Can't mess up your life after you take this course.”
• Much needed- I would have dropped out without this classextremely helpful.
• Learned how to think critically, learned not to give up.
• "We laugh together-like a family.”
• Because of the course, I know where to go. Learned critical thinking
strategies. Learned about learning styles.
• “Helps you figure yourself out.”
Student Testimonials Final Essays
• This semester has been one of my greatest pleasures and
challenges. The course specifically challenged many of my
core beliefs about who I am and my abilities.
• By applying what I have learned and experienced in this
course, success is the only possible outcome for me.
• All in all, I must say that I think every single new student
should take advantage of this course. The help that is given
in this class will go a long way to help me for the rest of my
life. I am actually sad that the course is coming to an end.
Thank you for your participation!
Dr Barbara Keener (barbara.keener@capella.edu)
Dr. Kathy Clark (kclark@edison.edu)