Varied Experiences in General Education Program Assessment

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Varied Experiences in General Education Program
Assessment California State University, Chico
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The Presenters

• Dr. Russell S. Mills
• Coordinator of General Education
• Chair and Professor of Civil Engineering
• Dr. Dennis Rothermel
• Interim Vice-Provost and Dean of Undergraduate
  Education
• Dr. Margaret A. Owens
• Chair and Professor of Mathematics and Statistics
• Dr. Gregory M. Tropea
• Coordinator of Critical Thinking

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The PresentationObjective Share experiences
and ideas about GE assessment, at all levels from
program to area to course.

• Overview of GE program GE assessment
• Russ (current practices) and Dennis (future
  possibilities)
• The GE program perspective
• GE assessment in mathematics and statistics
• Margaret - The GE department perspective
• GE assessment in critical thinking
• Greg - The GE instructor perspective
• We like comments and discussion at any time
• Please interrupt us

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Periodic GE Reviews Evolution of
PracticesRussell S. Mills, CoordinatorGeneral
Education ProgramChair Professor of Civil
EngineeringDennis RothermelInterim
Vice-Provost for Academic Affairs and Dean of
Undergraduate EducationCSU, Chico
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Ready, Sherman? Turn on the new GE assessment
machine!
O.k. Mr. Peabody. Here goes nothing!
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General Education Advisory Committee (GEAC)

• six faculty representatives (five elected, one
  appointed)
• one academic advising representative
• one student representative
• vice-provost/dean of undergraduate education

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GE Program(300 courses)

• Core
• Area A (oral communication, written
  communication, critical thinking, mathematics) -
  12 units. (12 courses)
• Breadth
• Area B (science) - 6 units. (17 courses)
• Area C (humanities and fine arts) - 9 units. (54
  courses)
• Area D (behavioral and social sciences) - 9 units
  (52 courses)
• Area E (lifelong learning) - 3 units (14
  courses)
• Capstone
• Upper-Division Themes - 9 units (19 themes
  totaling 111 courses)
• Cultural Diversity - 6 units (most also have GE
  status, 31 courses do not)

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Periodic Area Reviews

• one Area each year (5 - 7 year cycle)
• evaluate every existing GE course
• accept proposals for new GE courses
• first-pass by "expert" subcommittee
• final evaluation by GEAC
• determination by the provost

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Models for Area Reviews

• Probationary courses
• Concerns identified
• Reporting requirement

• Failed courses
• Concerns identified
• Can appeal for reinstatement

• Brand-new courses
• Temporary experimental status (2 yrs)
• Concerns identified
• Reporting requirement

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Enhancements to Process

• Course coordinator workshop
• Summarize applicable criteria (especially
  changes)
• Demonstrate use of web-based reporting guidelines
• Answer lots of questions
• Area-wide assessment (coming soon)
• Evaluation templates
• Evaluation by individual reviewers
• Summaries of evaluation results

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GE Web Resources

• GE web page
• http//www.csuchico.edu/vpaa/manual
• On-line cover form and course-specific reporting
  guideline

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Evaluation Templates

• Review of Upper-Division Themes
• Evaluation by individual reviewer
• Summaries of evaluation results

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Possible Future Directions

• Reduced review for some existing courses
• For courses that have clear standing
• New courses, courses with change in staffing
  would submit full review
• Showcase exemplary courses
• Assessment strategies results
• Course review submission
• Gathering additional assessment information
• Relative to GE Area learning goals
• General teaching goals for GE courses
• Chickering Gamson Seven Principles for Good
  Practice
• encourage contact between students and faculty,
• develop reciprocity and cooperation among
  students,
• encourage active learning,
• give prompt feedback,
• emphasize time on task,
• communicate high expectations, and
• respect diverse talents and ways of learning.