New Hampshire Accounting and Health Science Rigorous Plans of Study Successes, Challenges and Lessons Learned October 27, 2009 Washington, DC

Statewide Agreement Status Transcripted credit available at six of seven NH community colleges (Health Science) Introduction to Exercise Science Medical Law and Ethics Medical Terminology Transcripted credit will be available with Southern New Hampshire University (Accounting) Credits accepted anywhere in the state.

Health Science –Revision of competency documents with input from secondary postsecondary and industry –Curriculum aligned with national standards –Core academic knowledge and skills identified –Dual Enrollment options identified: Three courses –Drafts of Generic Allied Health RPOS as well as individual Health Science career pathway plans (17) in progress –Blackboard site implemented –End-of-Program Skill Assessment Recommendation –Excellent collaboration with all stakeholders Successes

Accounting - Gap analysis implementation and disbursement which successfully communicated Accounting practices and principles - Positive collaboration between all stakeholders - Competency documents revised with input from postsecondary and industry - Curriculum aligned with national standards - End of program assessment being developed, pilot in Spring - Working group representative of stakeholders from two-year colleges, four-year colleges, secondary and industry - Dual enrollment will result in transcripted credit Successes

Challenges Health Science –Knowledge and skills necessary for success in Anatomy & Physiology, the gatekeeper for all Allied Health pathways, are beyond the scope of the project and would require major changes in science education in NH –Cost of end-of-program assessment –Space in postsecondary in allied health programs

Challenges Accounting –Project coordinator resignation –Secondary credentials for dual enrollment courses –Post-secondary support of each others Accounting programs –Textbooks, software and computer needs at the secondary level

Lessons Learned Flexibility with outcomes -- Allow the stakeholders to take the lead Early implementation of an on-line communication tool where all documents can be viewed by all stakeholders –National & State standards –Secondary & postsecondary curricula –Program competencies –Drafts of RPOS templates –Dual enrollment guidelines –Meeting notes, agendas, and presentations

Inclusion of all stakeholders throughout the project –Regular project reports –In addition to large gatherings, meet often individually - preferably on their own turf –Relationships formed are valued as much if not more than the final product and offer avenues to new pathways for students Timeline –Involve industry in the process at the beginning. –Early Spring a good time to get people excited and committed –In NH, one summer window of opportunity for workshops/meetings – last week of June –Sensitivity to high school and college “stress periods” –People want to help get the job done but time is more valuable than money.

Most Important Lessons Learned ALWAYS frame discussions with what is best for students! Find a postsecondary representative who understands the challenges of college readiness and can present solutions Provide an opportunity for stakeholders to learn about each other (i.e., gap analysis, resume templates, secondary/postsecondary “language”, school calendars, remediation concerns, etc.)

Diane Chin Lisa Danley Kim Runion Kathleen Totten Q&A