Program Improvement through Occupational Surveys Gina La Monica, Ed.D. College of the Canyons Dean, Occupational Programs How data is collected and used in program improvement.

Classification of Data Course identification through Taxonomy of Programs (TOP) Codes with corresponding Student Accountability Model (SAM) Priority Codes – Identifying all courses correctly – Update regularly as courses are added or deleted to programs

Occupational Survey Survey created with all data elements required to – best identify special population students in occupational programs. – identify student need and program improvement. Spring 2003 and Fall 2003 surveys

Data Collection All occupational sections with appropriate TOP and SAM codes are given surveys. All students in these courses are asked to complete the survey. – Memo given to the instructors to ensure reliability in the message communicated to the students. – All faculty read the memo which outlines both faculty and student information. All surveys are returned to the Office of Institutional Research.

Completion Rate Fall 2002 – Total sections surveyed – 355 – Total sections returned – 273, resulting in a response rate of 77% – Students surveyed (unduplicated) – 5,081 – Students returned survey (unduplicated) – 3,060 – Student response rate (unduplicated) – 60%

Completion Rate (cont.) Spring 2003 – Total sections surveyed – *327 – Total sections returned – 272, resulting in a response rate of 83% – Students surveyed (unduplicated) – 5,964 – Students returned survey (unduplicated) – 3,333 – Student response rate (unduplicated) – 56% *13 sections were online courses and none were returned

Challenges with Survey Faculty assistance/motivation – Call faculty members to assist them with survey – Ask department chairs to administer the surveys – Discuss the benefits of the survey to the faculty, deans and department chairs Short-term courses Off campus courses Online courses Lab courses

Program Improvement Occupational Programs Student Survey Packet – Distributed to all occupational faculty members – Reviewed at the division meetings and vocational steering committee meetings – Data used for scheduling, budget, VTEA grant and program review – Data will now be listed by department for more detailed, helpful information – Questions?