Seminole State College
2002-2003 Assessment Report
Executive Summary
Entry-Level Assessment
Seminole State College (SSC) primarily uses ACT data and/or COMPASS and ASSET
standardized assessment tests for entry-level course placement. The Nelson-Denny test is used as
an additional indication for reading placement. Students with less than 19 on the Science
Reasoning ACT Test and who want to enroll in chemistry are given the Toledo Chemistry Exam.
Those who want to enroll in other science courses are given the TIPS II test and twenty-four
institutionally developed test questions.
SSC’s Fall 2002 enrollment was 2068 students. Of these, 529 (25.58%) were first-time college
students. It should be noted that 48.28% of the students entering SSC did so with an ACT
composite score of 19 or higher. The median ACT composite score was 18.00 compared to 18.73
in 2001-2002.
For Fall 2002 and Spring 2203, 2686 units were used for the COMPASS test, the ASSET test, the
TIPSII test, or the Toledo Chemistry Exam. Of this number, SSC's established cut-scores placed
1165 (53.61%) students in at least one non-credit. Also, 1009 (46.43%) students were placed in
at least one credit class.
During the Fall 2002 semester, 903 students were placed in non-credit courses. Of this number,
564 (62.46%) successfully completed the course. Enrollment data for Spring 2003 reveals 618
students enrolled in non-credit courses with 386 (62.46%) successfully completing the courses.
When combined totals are considered, it is seen that 1521 students were enrolled in non-credit
courses with 950 (62.46 %) successfully completing those courses.
In conjunction with Title III, the college conducted a pilot project in SCI 0113 Transitional
Science, an important entry-level course designed to remove science deficiencies and prepare
students for a variety of science classes. Existing curriculum was revised to address the needs of
the students and to align the course with the standardized syllabus format used across campus.
One pilot objective called for a 10% greater retention rate for pilot students over non-pilot
students. Results were impressive with a 95% retention rate for pilot students compared to 60%
for non-pilot students. In addition, 76% of the pilot students succeeded in Transitional Science
with a grade of C or higher while none of the non-pilot group completed the course successfully.
Mid-Level Assessment
Seminole State College uses the term Mid-Level Assessment to mean an assessment of the
educational experiences of those students who are graduating with associate degrees and those
students completing terminal degree programs designed to let them enter the work force
immediately. The college has determined that students with 45 or more credit hours should
participate in mid-level assessment.
It has been the practice for several years to analyze grades for students enrolled in select general
education courses whose enrollment typically has a large number of students in this category.
These courses are English Composition II, General Biology, Principles of Biology, American
National Government, College Algebra, and General Psychology. When data is analyzed, the
following information is revealed:
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Enrollment for Fall 2002 was 1128 with 809 (71.72%) successfully completing their
course.
Enrollment for Spring 2003 was 1184 with 902 (76.18%) successfully completing their
course.
Combined enrollment (Fall 2002 and Spring 2003) was 2312. Of this number, 1711
(74.01%) students successfully completed their respective course.
The successful completion percentages were higher for 2002-2003 than the previous year.
In addition to grades in these courses SSC has used instruments such as the CAAP Exam and
ACT pre- and post-test comparison in the past, but has now focused on the Educational Testing
Service’s Academic Profile test. Results of this test confirm what other assessment tools have
previously indicated—Seminole State College is fulfilling its academic mission.
Some additional components used in meeting the objectives of this area are the annual SSC
Graduate Opinion Survey, the biennial SSC Student Opinion Survey, and reports from receiving
institutions. As has been the case for several years, data from these documents suggest that
students and employers are pleased with the educational experiences at SSC. In fact, the 20012002 SSC Graduate Opinion Survey revealed that 85.25% (compared to 93.16% for the previous
year) rated their experience at SSC as excellent or above average while 14.75% (compared to
6.85% for the previous year) marked average. No students rated their experience as below
average or poor.
Program Outcomes Assessment
Seminole State College offers Associate in Applied Science Degrees in Business/Information
Systems, Medical Laboratory Technology, and Nursing. Faculties in these areas are continually
collecting information that will help them provide the appropriate training for these degrees.
Several outside agencies help to provide guidance in this regard. In addition, the following
components are used to evaluate program outcomes—the OSRHE Technical Program Review, the
SSC Survey of Employers, the Comprehensive Program Review, the NLN Achievement Exam,
National Certification and Licensure Examinations, National and State Professional
Accreditation, and Reports from Receiving Institutions.
Areas and the number of graduates are as follows: Business/Information Systems (14), MLT (5),
and Nursing (18). It is interesting to note that all five MLT graduates are currently employed. In
addition, of the 18 Nursing graduates, 15 passed the national licensing exam and are employed.
Student Satisfaction Assessment
Seminole State College has long recognized that student learning serves as the anchor for
assessment activities on the SSC campus. The primary tools used in this area of assessment
consist of the Student Feedback on Classroom Instruction Form, the SSC Student Opinion
Survey, and the SSC Graduate Opinion Survey.
The Student Feedback on Classroom Instruction Form is used each fall for faculty, both full-time
and part-time. The SSC Student Opinion Survey is given to a cross-section of students from a
variety of classes during the fall semester of even-numbered academic years. The SSC Graduate
Opinion Survey is conducted annually and provides information for both mid-level assessment
and student satisfaction assessment. For the 2002-2003 report, 240 surveys were mailed to recent
graduates. Sixty-two graduates returned completed surveys giving a return rate of 25.83%, the
lowest in several years. All reports are distributed to the Divisional Chair Council and the
Administrative Council. Executive Summaries are distributed to all faculty members.
Students who participated in the 2002-2003 survey made it clear that their educational experience
at SSC was a positive one. Asked for their overall academic rating of SSC, 82.26% gave a rating
of Excellent or Above Average. When asked about their overall experience at SSC, 85.25% of the
respondents gave a rating Excellent or Above Average. And finally, when asked if they would
start at SSC again, 86.21% indicated that they would. This is consistent with past survey results.
While factors such as location and cost may have influenced their decision to attend SSC,
students appear very satisfied with the quality of instruction and services provided to them. In
addition, the concern shown by faculty and staff continues to be one of the most important
aspects of the SSC educational experience. Thus, it appears that SSC is providing the type of
educational experience most students want and expect.