1. CTE Academy: Engaging Faculty in a Culture of Continuous Improvement
Front Range Community College
April Menzies, Ph.D.
Eric Salahub
Innovations Conference
Chicago, IL
June 2016

2. Getting Our Bearings…

3. Service area covers mi2
Population 2,173,554

4. 30,460 = Students at Front Range Community College
Boulder County Campus
3,736
Online Students
7,624
30,460 current figure unduplicated head-count
Campus numbers are unduplicated headcount from most recent on website
Westminster Camus
8,505
Larimer Campus
8,061

6. We are here to share…
The story of FRCC’s creation of the CTE Academy for Continuous Improvement to support faculty through development of the 5-year plan and incorporation of student learning outcomes (SLO’s) as elements of a transition to a continuous improvement model.

7. On one side of the index card provided, write one word to describe your school’s CTE 5-year planning process.

8. “Before”… Created in isolation
Timing inversely proportional to availability of faculty
Often occurred at times of transition
Sigh of relief once completed
Where did it go?

9. Inconsistent approach to assessment
Lack of time & administrative support to meet & collaborate with peers
Feeling of isolation – especially for single-campus program directors
Additional accreditation requirements seem disconnected from 5-Year plan process.

10. What is the CTE Academy
Improve & enrich processes already in place for professional development for the benefit of consistency & collaboration between campuses and varying programs.
Focus on what teachers & staff were already intrinsically interested in: their students, their programs, and their instructional strategies.
Create a forum for CTE faculty to brainstorm incorporation of college-wide Student Learning Outcomes

11. Nuts & Bolts
Committee comprised of CTE reps from each campus and online
4 – ½ day sessions
Online component = “flipped” sessions
Multiple facilitators
Worktime with Outcome Mentors (SLO)

12. FRCC’s Student Learning Outcome Project
The CTE Academy is one component of a comprehensive project to assess Student Learning.
The Student Learning Committee is the umbrella organization for assessment at Front Range Community College.

14. FRCC’s Student Learning Outcome Project
Implement a systematic program for assessing student learning for students who earn AA, AS, or CTE degrees or certificates.
Improve student learning by assessing students on five learning outcomes in order to make data-driven decisions regarding programs and curriculum

15. FRCC’s Student Learning Outcome Project
Plan for success by focusing not only on assessment but also on awareness and training
Build awareness about the SLOs through discussion among students, staff, and faculty/instructors.
Provide ongoing training for college employees about how to incorporate and assess the SLOs

16. FRCC’s Student Learning Outcome Project
In 2011, FRCC began the process of developing Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
Focus groups of faculty and staff were convened over the course of a year and the SLOs were identified
Community members, local employers, and advisory groups were also consulted

17. FRCC’s Student Learning Outcome Project
FRCC SLOs
Critical Thinking (CT)
Effective Communication (EC)
Information Technology and Literacy (ITL)
Professionalism (PRO)
Quantitative Reasoning (QR)

18. FRCC’s Student Learning Outcome Project
In 2012, teams of faculty and staff were convened to define each SLO and develop rubrics for assessing each SLO in the classroom

19. In 2013, the SLC developed a three-pronged approach to the SLO Project
Mentoring, SCOPEs, Open Assessment, Resources, PD
Gen Ed
CTE
Student Services

20. FRCC’s Student Learning Outcome Project
Assessment of SLOs in General Education Courses
Student College Wide Outcome Project Evaluations (SCOPEs) form the foundation of our college-wide assessment of student learning outcomes in Gen Ed and also CTE.

21. FRCC’s Student Learning Outcome Project
Outcome Mentors
Each campus (plus online learning) has a set of 5 outcome mentors who work directly with faculty to facilitate the development and implementation of SCOPES as well as with data analysis and reflection on results.
Outcome mentors include full time faculty, part-time instructors, as well as staff members.

22. FRCC’s Student Learning Outcome Project
SCOPEs are assignments that assess a specific SLO in specific courses across FRCC
The assignments are developed college-wide by faculty who lead or teach those courses and this work is facilitated by outcome mentors.

23. FRCC’s Student Learning Outcome Project
In 2014, the SLO Project was rolled out to the college
SCOPE development began in fall 2014
CT: Literature 115 and Philosophy 111
EC: Public Speaking 115 and History 101
In spring 2015, the SLO Project was approved by the HLC as our Quality Initiative project for accreditation

24. FRCC’s Student Learning Outcome Project
Moving forward in the project
In AY , the assessment of QR and ITL began
High enrolled courses were identified and faculty and staff were asked to participate

25. After… First cohort will complete April 1, 2016
Final session = handoff to Chairs & Deans
Communication fostered at Academy to continue as 5-Year plan is finalized
Document becomes dynamic, functional, guide for programs
Plan is shared with Advisory Committee

26. Lessons Learned… Participants come with varying needs and expectations
It will take more time than you think – for everything
Utilized “flipped” design
Created LMS course shell for support
Need Need
Direction Ideas

27. Lessons Learned – Part 2 Invest time on purpose and community-building
Process and product are important
Must incorporate active learning

28. Think…
What are the biggest risks/barriers to creating an academy at your school? What would be the most positive potential result of implementing an academy?

29. Stand – Pair – Share Stand up
Find someone else with the same number (circled – top right corner)
Share/compare your responses

30. Questions??

31. Thank you for attending!
Presenter Contact Information:
April Menzies, Ph.D.,
Eric Salahub,