Developmental Education Committee

Meeting Minutes: December 6, 2004

Present: John Arola, Jim Berg, Barb Cox, Sherry Dalager, Ann DeArmond, Therese Johnson, Jeri Schwerin, Paula Young

1. Registration Concerns -
   Many students are not following placement results. This is not only that they are taking courses they are not prepared for, but also they are taking courses they do not need. The committee is concerned that students are given little direction in making course and credit choices. John suggested faculty have access to testing information and course schedules to help them address some of these issues early in the semester.
   
   Also, instances of students in developmental courses taking heavy course loads are common. Currently all students can take up to 18 credits per semester, which is normally too many credits for someone needing refresher courses. It was suggested that students in developmental reading and writing be limited to 12 credits per semester. Students would need to petition to take more credits. Paula said she would present this to policy.
   
   Discussion also involved the need for more counseling available to students taking developmental courses, especially at the first level of reading and writing. The committee sees the need for a counselor assigned specifically to students taking developmental courses. John also suggested adding a wellness course to a developmental learning community to help with some of the personal issues developmental students are dealing with. Sherry agreed that many students in the first level of reading are dealing with so many personal problems that they cannot concentrate on learning reading strategies. She feels counseling and perhaps a health/wellness course might aid these students.
2. Pre and post testing -
   Students in the developmental learning communities and other sections of developmental reading and writing are currently being post tested by Joni using the CPT. Results will be available by the end of the semester.
   
   Ann will be requesting that all reading instructors give the reading portion of paper pencil assessment test the first week of spring semester classes. She will also meet with the writing instructors to see if they would like to give the writing to their classes or if they prefer to give a writing sample in the first week.
3. Learning Communities -
   The second level reading and writing learning communities appear to have been very successful, and the instructors feel both students and faculty have benefited from the experience. The first level community has been less successful, due to the unusually high number of students in the community with serious personal problems. This is probably a normal situation, and hopefully a community at this level can be successful in the future. Currently, no one is registered for the first level of reading/writing for spring semester. The second level community has a few students registered.
4. Curriculum changes -
   The math and reading course changes are currently in curriculum. Paula did question whether there is some type of pre-req for students taking the accelerated Algebra I/II, to assure the right students are placed in that track. She said if not, it could affect the Learning Center's work load. Kathy does not think there is any requirement other than the pre-req for taking the courses in the slower track. John said he would look into this when the course is discussed in curriculum.
5. ESL -
   Jim suggested that perhaps the courses should be offered in the evening. The committee agreed that community members needing the courses may be more available at that time. Sherry asked if there is a connection with ESL instructors at the high school level.
6. A+dvancer -
   Paula looked into this program, which prepares students to take the ACCUPLACER. She spoke to several campuses that are currently using the program. The cost has been a concern, but she found that the most expensive portion of the program might not be needed for our purposes. It was suggested that an IE initiative be developed to request money for the software.
7. Mission and Goals -
   Copies of the current mission statement were passed out at the last meeting. Members are asked to give feedback to Ann.

Meetings will be held on the first Monday of the month during Spring Semester. The next meeting will be at noon on Feb. 7, 2005.

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