Basic Skills as the Foundation for Student Success The Basic Skills Initiative

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Basic Skills as the Foundation for Student
Success The Basic Skills Initiative

• Barbara Illowsky, Project Director, Basic Skills
  Initiative
• Rob Johnstone, VP for Instruction, Foothill
  College, Project Administrator
• Mark Lieu, VP of Academic Senate, Steering
  Committee

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Pre - History 1Graduation Competencies

• Academic Senate Conversation
• Started 1999
• Formal recommendation Spring 2005
• Raise math and English standards
• Concerns Barriers, Success Rates, Research
• Other Conversations
• Statewide Constituency Groups Fall 2005

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Pre - History 2A Creative Solution

• CIO/CSSO Conference March 2006
• Joint resolution on graduation competencies
• Identified need to improve basic skills student
  success
• ASCCC, CIO, CSSO Joint Proposal April 2006
• Ian Walton, Pam Deegan, Robin Richards
• How Can We Make this Succeed?
• Basic Skills Initiative Proposed
• System Budget Workgroup April 2006

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Pre - History 3 Systemwide Support

• Consultation Council May 2006
• Board of Governors July Sep 2006
• Agreement to move forward on both
• Graduation Competencies
• Basic Skills Initiative
• 06-07 Existing Funds Redirected
• Request for Future Year Funds
• Connection with Strategic Plan
• 3 Phase Project

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Basic Skills Initiative, the System Office the
System Strategic Plan

• Goal Area B
• Student Success and Readiness
• Strategy B1 
• Basic Skills as the Foundation for
• Student Success
• Strategy B2
• Assessment and Placement

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October 2006 - Phase 1 Begins Research Lit.
Review

• Research phase initiated
• 50,000 in research funds allocated through Mt.
  San Antonio College
• Research conducted by the Center for Student
  Success (RP Group)

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The Research included the following

• Review of the literature on successful basic
  skills practices
• Identification/discussion of effective practices
  based upon the review
• 2. Self-assessment instrument for colleges to
  assess their own status
• Cost / Revenue Estimation Tool
• More details http//css.rpgroup.org

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Working Definition of Basic Skills

• Basic skills are those foundation skills in
  reading, writing, mathematics, learning skills,
  study skills and English as a Second Language
  which are necessary for students to succeed in
  college level work.

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The Results of the Research included the
following areas

• Organizational / Administrative Practices (7)
• Program Components (4)
• Staff Development (5)
• Instructional Practices (10)

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Examples of Research Results

• Developmental education is a clearly stated
  institutional priority
• Orientation, assessment and placement are
  mandatory for all new students
• Faculty play a primary role in planning/
  implementation of staff development activities
• Developmental education program addresses
  holistic development of all aspects of the
  student

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March 2007 - Phase 2 Begins Professional
Development

• RFA for 700,000 for basic skills statewide
  professional development sent out to colleges in
  November 06
• College to work with the Academic Senate on
  planning and delivery
• Grant awarded to Foothill/De Anza
• Subcontract with Academic Senate

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Steering Committee

• Chair Barbara Illowsky, Projector Director
• Committee members include 6 faculty (math,
  English, counseling, ESL, reading, humanities), 3
  CSSOs, 3 CIOs, 1 CEO,
• Role Advise on Teams Regional Meetings
• Advise on Materials and Communications
• Work with Supporter Groups

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February - May 2007

• Develop qualifications for Teams of Specialists
• Identify team members (4 to 7 faculty members,
  CIO, CSSO, RP)
• selected by representative organization
• 3. Identify and schedules campuses for regional
  meetings
• 4. Make Conference/Institute Presentations

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May - August 2007 Initial Regional Meetings

• May 11 American River College
• May 18 Mt San Antonio College
• June 13 Mission College
• August 8 Ventura College
• August 24 San Diego Mesa College

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Fall 2007 More Regional Meetings

• September 14 Desert, S. Orange Co., Monterey
  Bay, Central Coast
• September 21 Riverside, N. Orange Co., East Bay
• September 28 S. Central Valley, S.F. Peninsula,
  Far North
• October 12 L.A., N. Central Valley, North Bay,
  Far North

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Regional Meetings Content

• Provide information to colleges
• Results of Research Phase
• Self Assessment/Inquiry Tool
• Creation of College Plans
• - selection of projects
• - outcomes / evaluation
• - costs / funding

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Fall 2007 - Phase 3 Begins Local Implementation

• Based on the research and professional
  development colleges create plan
• Need for ongoing implementation funding
• Budget Change proposal for 2007 08
• 33 million redirected basic skills funds
• Distribution formula ? (FTES or Project)

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2008Implementation Continues

• Need for ongoing new funding
• BCP for 08-09 ??? New Money ???
• Need for ongoing research to provide additional
  options
• Need for ongoing additional professional
  development
• Evaluation What? When? Who?

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What Does this have to do with CIOs and CSSOs ?

• Transfer, Degree and Vocational students all need
  to succeed in basic skills
• We need to collaborate to make this work
• basic skills or vocational or transfer
  classroom instructors
• counselors, librarians
• support staff, administrators

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Are you Confused??BSI A Quick Summary

• Research Phase Completed
• Professional Development Phase this year
• Disseminate research results
• Colleges assess based on research
• Colleges select projects and create plan
• All the while, regional training is occurring
• Local Implementation begins Fall 07

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Please Join Us

• Spread the Word
• Help Generate Support from All Your Colleagues
• Come to Regional Meetings
• Check Web Site for Updates
• This has the Potential to Completely Change the
  Way Our Students Succeed
• Thank you