Basic Skills as a Foundation for Student Success in California Community Colleges

Presenter Barbara Illowsky Mathematics, De Anza College BSI Project Director

Today’s Presentation Part 1 The 30,000 foot View of BSI Part 2 The Background + BSI Phase I Part 3 BSI Phase II – 2007 Activities Part 4 BSI Phase III – What’s Coming Next?

Today – Part 1 What’s it all about? Provide statewide research, training and support in basic skills to address: professional development needs professional development needs both credit and noncredit instruction adjunct and full-time faculty administrators and staff diversity and equity disparities diversity and equity disparities It’s all about the students!

Basic Skills Areas Traditionally: English writing Reading Mathematics English Second Language Other Disciplines – Think Again Support Services

Organizers of BSI Founders of BSI Founders of BSI Coordinators Coordinators Leaders of the Project Leaders of the Project Faculty, Administrators and Staff working together.

Structure of BSI Phase I – Research Phase I – Research Mt San Antonio & RP Group Mt San Antonio & RP Group Fall 2006 Fall 2006 Phase II – Dissemination of Results Phase II – Dissemination of Results Foothill-De Anza & Academic Senate Foothill-De Anza & Academic Senate Phase III – Professional Development Phase III – Professional Development Foothill-De Anza & Academic Senate Foothill-De Anza & Academic Senate

Equity in Higher Education Involves three parts: Equity in college preparation Equity in college preparation Access to college Access to college Success in reaching college goals Success in reaching college goals Thomas Bailey and Vanessa Smith Morest

Today - Part 2 The Background National and State Data Board of Governors Actions Phase I of BSI Project

Educational Attainment

California Data Summary 70%-85% of First Time Freshmen Require Developmental Education Less than 10% of students who start 3 or more levels below ever reach college-level Grades in sequenced courses study Most of these findings extremely consistent in last two decades

Project History Statewide Graduation Requirements for Fall 2009 Math: Beginning -> Intermediate Algebra Language Arts: One Level Below Freshman English -> Freshman English Concerns about barriers, vocational education needs Fall Board of Governors approves both graduation requirements and Basic Skills Initiative

Project Money System Office redirects basic skills overcap funds To colleges on FTES basis To BSI for research grant and two Professional Development grants for ~$31m one time for ~$33m one time for ~$33m ongoing

October 2006 – BSI 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)

Research Included : 1. 1.Review of the literature on successful basic skills practices & identification of effective practices based upon review 2.Self-assessment instrument for colleges to assess their own status 3. 3.Cost / Revenue Estimation Tool 4. 4.Published as “Poppy Copy”

Today - Part 3 Academic Senate’s Professional Development Hands-On Overview of the Research Results College Planning Teams

BSI Phase II February - December 2007  Training for all California Community Colleges  15 Regional Meetings – 1600 people  Research results  Technical assistance to individual colleges on Self-Assessment Tool and Cost-Revenue Model

Basic Skills Definition 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. (not same as “funding” definition)

“Effective Practices” Definition for Literature Review Modified from Hunter Boylan’s definition “Effective practices” refer to organizational, administrative, instructional, or support activities engaged in by highly successful programs, as validated by research and literature sources relating to developmental education.

Step 1: The Literature Review Reviewed 250+ sources Team of 7 researchers, administrators, and faculty Joined by 4 faculty reviewers Three-month time frame Produced the “Poppy Copy” Integrate

26 Effective Practices A. A.Organizational & Administrative Practices (7) Structure, management, & organization B. B.Program Components (4) Services & policies C. C.Staff Development (5) Training / support D. D.Instructional Practices (10) Effective pedagogical techniques

Step 2: Self-Assessment Tool Purpose: Reflection on current practices and Literature Review Purpose: Reflection on current practices and Literature Review Quantitative data Quantitative data Qualitative measures by Strand Qualitative measures by Strand Colleges Should Complete this Year Colleges Should Complete this Year May 1 to submit Action/Expenditure Plan May 1 to submit Action/Expenditure Plan

Step 3: Cost Revenue Tool Excel Model Excel Model Includes: Includes: Costs for programs Incremental WSCH from programs Conclusion: investment up front for gains in the future Conclusion: investment up front for gains in the future

Today - Part 4 Phase III of BSI What’s Coming Next? Foothill-De Anza / Academic Senate 5 Project Goals January - December 2008

Steering Committee Barbara IllowskyRob Johnstone Mark Wade LieuJulie Adams Rita CepedaHenry Shannon Pam DeeganLeige Henderson Alice MurilloRose Meyers Robin RichardsPeter White Baron BrownMarsha Elliott Richard MahonIan Walton Bob GabrinerJaqueline Nagatsuka Marcy AlancraigDonna Colondres Nancy CookJoan Cordova Wade EllisJanet Fulks Dianne McKayAnniqua Rana Carole Bogue FeinourJuan Cruz

Phase III - Goal 1 Phase III - Goal 1 Research and Data Collection   Literature Review Addendum   Equity Issues & Strategies   High School to College Transition   Non-credit to Credit Transition   Data base   Survey of programs, strategies and projects   Includes California and national data

Phase III – Goal 2 Phase III – Goal 2 Professional Development   Regional Meetings   Two-day events in June   Integration of counseling & student services into courses   Audience: administrators, counselors, basic skills discipline dept. chairs, coordinators and faculty

Phase III – Goal 2 Phase III – Goal 2 (cont.) June 3/4 Sierra and Chaffey June 5/6 LA Southwest June 6/7 Fresno City June 9/10 Canada & San Diego Mesa

Phase III – Goal 2 Phase III – Goal 2 (cont.)   Summer Institute: August   Focus on pedagogy   Audience: adjunct faculty in basic skills courses & CTE faculty   Workshops to Order   Online and face-to-face   Individual or department or college   Site specific technical assistance

Phase III – Goal 3 Phase III – Goal 3 Student Equity College Student Equity Plans Evaluate all plans Common statewide trends   Develop state resources for general needs   Gather baseline data Discrepancies   Technical assistance to individual colleges

Phase III – Goal 4 Phase III – Goal 4 High School to College   Strategies to Improve Transition   Revise ICAS Math Comptency Statements   Work with Career Pathways project and CalPASS   Involve K-12 Adult Ed and Noncredit

Phase III – Goal 5 Phase III – Goal 5 Communication   Newsletter   Web site   Conference presentations   Depository of Strategies   Regional and State Meetings

$$$$$$ $33.1 million funding ongoing (includes $1.6 million for professional development) $33.1 million funding ongoing (includes $1.6 million for professional development) $100,000 minimum per college $100,000 minimum per college Based upon P2 FTES (basic skills coded) & from students under age 25 (formula) Based upon P2 FTES (basic skills coded) & from students under age 25 (formula) Courses can ONLY be coded as “B.S.” if they are NOT degree-applicable Courses can ONLY be coded as “B.S.” if they are NOT degree-applicable

Table Activity Share an innovative activity that’s happening at your college because of BSI Share an innovative activity that’s happening at your college because of BSI Discuss and select the one your table likes best Discuss and select the one your table likes best Share with the large group Share with the large group Win a copy of the Poppy Copy Win a copy of the Poppy Copy

Ba’bye!