College of the Sequoias Visalia, CA (559) 730-3712

 College of the Sequoias
Visalia, CA
(559) 730-3712
Don Mast Debbie Douglass Dean, Counseling and Matriculation [email protected] FYE Seminar Instructor [email protected] Jennifer Vega LaSerna Dean, Language Arts/Fine Arts [email protected] American Association of Community Colleges Charles Rush Activity Lead FYE Program [email protected] College of the Sequoias Profile y Single campus district with two centers y Enrollment 13,000 y 47% (math) and 31% (English)test into developmental levels y Low income (over 70% receive BOGG fee waiver) y Hispanic students now comprise largest ethnic group of student body (46%) y 14 feeder high schools plus adult schools, continuation schools, court schools and charter schools. American Association of Community Colleges Key Components of the FYE Mission Statement y
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Develop intellectual and academic competence; Develop interpersonal relationships; Develop personal identity; Decide on or achieve clarity about a career goal; Maintain personal health and wellness; Create a sense of personal value for each student; Consider, examine or internalize what they believe and value; Develop multicultural awareness and learn to tolerate, affirm and appreciate differences among people; y Create a civic responsibility as a responsible citizen; and y Create a sense of community and connectedness to the American Association of Community Colleges college Financial Support American Association of Community Colleges Evolution •
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Success Program – early 90’s LISTO I………..1999 – 2004 LISTO II……….2004‐ 2007 FYE …………......2007 to present American Association of Community Colleges FYE – Fall 2007‐ Fall 2009 • Focus shifted to remedial English and Math • Offered to any incoming freshmen and re‐entry student who has less than 30 units • Expanding to 12 communities by Fall 2009 American Association of Community Colleges Student Demographics
All COS Freshmen
FYE Students
All FIrst Time Students by Gender
FYE: Gender of current students
Male
47%
Female
53%
Male
39%
Female
61%
FYE: Ethnicy of current students
All COS First Timer Students by Ethnicity
1%
American Indian or
Alaska Native
9%
2%
Asian or Pacific
1% 5% 4%
3%
15%
Black Non-Hispanic
30%
3%
Hispanic
3%
Black
73%
Caucasian
Asian
Hispanic
51%
White Non-Hispanic
Decline To State
Pacific Islander
American Indian
Decline To State
First Year Experience Learning Communities FYE – PIC (Preparatory/Intermediate/Collegiate) Model 12 communities Prep level Remedial English Pre‐Algebra First Year Seminar 13 units Intermediate level Intermediate English Algebra I First Year Seminar 13 units Collegiate level 10‐ 14 units Transfer English Transfer Music First Year Seminar Other class per counseling Students Advanced to next levels in Spring
American Association of Community Colleges First Year Experience Learning Communities Sample Fall 2008 Learning Community Time
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
8:00 AM
8:30 AM
9:00 AM
COUN 120
Buldo, V.
9:30 AM
COUN 120
Buldo, V.
10:00 AM
10:30 AM
11:00 AM
11:30 AM
English 251
Sheldon, J.
ETHNIC STUDIES 3
Ruiz, R
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English 251
Sheldon, J.
12:00 PM
12:30 PM
1:00 PM
American Association of Community Colleges ETHNIC STUDIES 3
Ruiz, R.
First Year Experience Learning Communities Sample Fall 2009 Learning Community Time
7:45 AM
Monday
Tuesday
First Year Seminar
Vieira
8:00 AM
Wednesday
Thursday
First Year Seminar
Vieira
Friday
English 360 Lab
Staff
8:30 AM
9:00 AM
9:30 AM
10:00 AM
10:30 AM
11:00 AM
11:30 AM
English 360
Staff
Math 365
Keen
English 360
Staff
Math 365
Keen
Math 365
Keen
English 360
Staff
Math 365
Keen
12:00 PM
American Association of Community Colleges First Year Experience Learning Communities y Staff • Full‐Time Activity Lead • Part‐time Retention Specialist • Full‐Time Secretary • Full‐time Counselor • two part‐time counselors y Some Key Components of Program: • Extended Orientation • Counseling/Retention Services • Peer Mentoring • Referrals to Campus Tutoring Labs • Computer Lab and Study Center • Field Trips American Association of Community Colleges First Year Experience Learning Communities Nuts & Bolts Questions •How Do you Create a Learning Community? • How Do You Recruit & Train Faculty? •How Do You Recruit students for learning communities? American Association of Community Colleges First Year Experience Learning Communities Nuts & Bolts Questions •How Do you Create a Learning Community? STEP 1 – Understand what you want to achieve STEP 2 – Build a team to develop & implement STEP 3 – Visit other schools, check out what is out there STEP 4 – Make a plan AFTER ALL THAT …then come up with a sample community to shop around American Association of Community Colleges First Year Experience Learning Communities Nuts & Bolts Questions •How Do you Create a Learning Community? RECOMMENDATION: Pilot a basic community using the standard LC model‐ -Skills course (i.e Basic College Writing) -Topics course (i.e. History) -Student success course American Association of Community Colleges First Year Experience Learning Communities Nuts & Bolts Questions • How Do You Recruit Faculty? Ask your counselors & students first “Who are the teachers that students love?” and “What teachers are always up for trying something new?” You should be looking for a few people who are on both lists. I recommend starting with your English faculty. American Association of Community Colleges First Year Experience Learning Communities Nuts & Bolts Questions • How Do You Train Faculty? With a small core group – Visit other campuses Conferences Regional Learning Community Consortiums On‐campus meetings to “pick the brains” of your core group American Association of Community Colleges First Year Experience Learning Communities Nuts & Bolts Questions •How Do You Recruit students for learning communities? -Outreach to feeder schools -Reg‐To‐Go -Counselor’s Meetings -Website and media -Classroom visits -Postcards to HS seniors/new students American Association of Community Colleges First Year Experience Learning Communities What if ‐ A student needs to drop one of their learning community courses? •Drop that one course? •Drop entire learning community? •Don’t allow drop? American Association of Community Colleges Student Recruitment High School Outreach: y Outreach staff visits y Supplemental Outreach y FYE staff presentations y Reg to Go y Head High School Counselor Luncheon American Association of Community Colleges Student Recruitment ™New Student Orientation y Spring registration y Summer Semester y Early August y Initial week of classes y Online orientation y Open House ™College Nights ™Eventually hope to mandate American Association of Community Colleges Registration to Go Concept • To take the counseling and registration processes to the high schools. • Promote First Year Experience American Association of Community Colleges Registration to Go Background •Piloted two schools during spring semester 2007 •Expanded to ten schools during spring semester 2008 ‐Made significant adjustments ‐Had a 77% show rate of students signed up to participate ‐Registered 780 students ‐The high school contact is critical ‐Numerous recommendations to improve process next year •Expanding to 14 feeder high schools plus continuation schools this year American Association of Community Colleges Registration to Go Process •Online admission application and orientation •Placement testing at highs schools from January to March •Intake packet (placement test scores, FYE seminar and learning community information) •Counselors develop one semester Student Education Plan •Student Ambassadors help students select days/time for schedule •Register •Print schedule and bill •Support programs (Financial Aid, EOPS, Disabled Students Program) American Association of Community Colleges American Association of Community Colleges y Help understand the students y Provide individual contact y Leads to setting goals American Association of Community Colleges y Before the FYE Course, students were not aware of the services provided by COS y Survey results clearly reflect students gained knowledge and awareness of the various services and resources the college has to offer, especially scholarships, financial aid, health center, counseling and tutorial services American Association of Community Colleges How have you found the FYE Course to be helpful? y “It helped me to be a confident person and that I should y
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never give up.” “This class is very helpful to me because I have learned how to manage my time and to be familiar with the school programs and to become a better student.” “In my opinion, to become successful in college you should have knowledge about the things and services available on campus.” “I had motivation coming into college and this class has helped me keep the motivation up. It also has helped me feel more comfortable to get help or services at school whenever I need it.” “Being able to ask for information about things I want to know. I learned new ways to improve my study skills and how to handle things with a positive attitude.” American Association of Community Colleges Do you feel better prepared for college due to this course? y “I feel like I’m a college student now instead of a little rookie running around not knowing things.” y “Yes, I’ve made so much improvement in my study habits although not as good as I want but the motivation that I have now is pushing me to study more and study better.” y “Yes, I feel more confident and well informed.” y “Yes, before getting this class I felt a hesitation to meet people on campus and in class but it is a little easier now.” American Association of Community Colleges Has this class helped you to stay enrolled at COS this semester? y “Yes, I have been here every day thanks to this class. y “I actually look forward to coming to school because I’m always prepared for the day.” y “Yes, many people quit towards the end of the semester and in the class I’ve learned how to deal with those negative ideas of quitting school.” American Association of Community Colleges Would you recommend this class to others? y “Of course. Everyone should take this class as soon as they enroll at COS! It should be mandatory!” y “Absolutely.” y “Yes, I think they should require first year students to take this class.” American Association of Community Colleges Has this course helped you with study habits, time management and motivation skills? y “In some ways but mostly motivation because I’m still here and I’m not failing any of my classes. This class has a lot to do with that!” y Yes, it has helped a lot. I think I’m actually going to pass all my classes this semester. It’s crazy.” y “Yes, so much.” American Association of Community Colleges Semester # of students enrolled in course # of students % of students who earned a who withdrew “C” or Better from course Spring 2008 (Pilot Group) 20 90% 10% Fall 2009 39 75% 7.7% American Association of Community Colleges Students reported the following to be helpful in their success y
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Services and resources available Increased motivation Positive support system Time management and effective study skills Ability to visualize success Students found the “Life Line” exercise to be extremely beneficial y Instructors teaching the FYE courses need to care about students success and encourage students not to give up American Association of Community Colleges 1.
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Most CC students (75‐85%) are in need of basic skills (defined as “those foundation skills in reading, writing, mathematics, and ESL, as well as learning and study skills which are necessary for students to succeed in college level work.” p. 13) Students are not succeeding. More than one third of CC students enroll in a basic skills class and this will only increase with the changes in English and Math graduation requirements for Fall 2009. There is a hole in our bucket! American Association of Community Colleges 3.
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The State invested $33 million in BSI this year. These are on‐going categorical funds. COS received $654,000.00 (based on FTES for basic skills). Each campus creates its own self‐assessment plan. One of the goals of the Essential Learning Initiative (ELI) is to spark conversation on our campus about learning and effective practices. American Association of Community Colleges 5.
It’s all in the literature review!! Four sections: A. Organizational and Administrative Practices B. Program Components C. Staff Development D. Instructional Practices American Association of Community Colleges •Collaborative effort with faculty, staff and managers. •Year‐long process with 4 subcommittees focused on each strand. •Developed action plan and budget recommendations based on campus culture and student needs. •Established ELI faculty coordinators (FYE counselor) American Association of Community Colleges •Face to face orientation •Mandatory assessment and placement •Improve collaboration with Academic and Student Services •Expand FYE program •Early alert system •Develop a teaching and learning center •Focus on faculty and staff training and development •Increased support for supplemental curriculum and supplemental instruction (writing, math and language labs) American Association of Community Colleges 1) Mandatory Placement 2) Faculty and Staff Training Establish mandatory placement and pre‐requisites for basic skills courses in ESL, English and Math Develop Teaching/Learning Center and Provide Faculty and Staff Training 3) Expand FYE and Partner with ELI 4) Develop and Align Basic Skills Curriculum 5) Develop and Expand Assisted Learning American Association of Community Colleges •Faculty Buy‐In •Scheduling classes •Administrative input •Collaboration with Academic and Student Services American Association of Community Colleges •Designed to improve collaboration with Academic Services / Student Services and solve implementation issues •V.P. Academic Services, V.P. Student Services, academic deans, student services deans, FYE counselor, division chairs •Scheduling issues •Outreach •Recruitment of faculty American Association of Community Colleges •English and Math basic skills learning communities •Agriculture learning community– COS farm •CTE learning communities •Nursing – Fall 2008 •Ornamental horticulture—Fall 2009 •ESL learning community (Fall 2009) American Association of Community Colleges •Ethnic Studies courses •LAMP learning community •Veteran’s learning community •Voc Ed learning community •Honor’s learning community •Athletic learning community •ESL learning community American Association of Community Colleges Expansion Plan Semester Number of Learning Communities Sections of Students FYE Seminar Number of Students Fall 2007 6 130 ‐‐ 0 Spring 2008 9 225 1 22 Fall 2008 11 275 6 255 Spring 2009 12 300 6* 400 * Implementation of large lecture section
American Association of Community Colleges Initial Success and Retention Data Fall Semester 2007 Group “C” or Better Re‐enrolled Spring 2008 Math 360 26% 74% English 360 52% 73% Cohort 1 51% 84% Cohort 2 64% 88% American Association of Community Colleges Student Success and Retention Data Spring 2008, Fall 2008
Semester Number /Group “C” or Better Re‐enrolled next semester Spring 08 8 Learning Communities 46% 57% Fall 08 11 Learning Communities 53% 80% American Association of Community Colleges Future Plans y Link FYE with our Basic Skills Initiative y Refine data collection / evaluation of FYE y Continue our expansion plans to serve more students y Continue to implement additional service components y Implement multiple sections of the FYE Seminar course y Consider implementing a Second Year Experience Program American Association of Community Colleges QUESTIONS? American Association of Community Colleges