Executive Summary
Program Planning and Assessment
English and Communications Program
Budget Year 2001-2002
1. Program Mission and Purpose
As the full Program Planning and Assessment report notes, the Shoreline Community College English and Communications Programs offer a wide array of courses in Developmental English, Transfer English, Literature and Creative Writing, and Communications. Additionally, students from across the campus can receive individualized instruction in reading, writing and study skills in the Academic Skills Center. The report states that “Courses offered by the program become a part of almost every degree and professional certification awarded on campus.”
2. Students/Clients Served
English and Communications are among the largest programs on campus, both in terms of sheer numbers of students and of FTEs generated. The report states that “The English and Communications Program serves students of all ages and backgrounds, full-time, part-time, day students, night students, academic transfer, vocational, distance learners, native and non-native speakers, as well as Running Start and Career Education Options (CEO) students.” Demographic trends in English and Communication generally mirror those of the campus at large.
3. Criteria for Measuring Program Effectiveness/Contributions to College
Criteria include: Contributions to Student Learning, Contributions to Campus Goals and Contributions to the Community. The report emphasizes the importance of measuring faculty contributions to the community of the college.
4. Enrollment and Staffing Trends
The report notes that while Shoreline has experienced a slight drop in enrollment over the past two years, campus data indicate that retention in English and Communications continues to be strong. Regarding staffing, English and Communications continue to rely heavily on part-time instruction. For Fall 2001, the ration of part-time to full-time instructors was 64:36.
5. Significant Anticipated Changes
The report cites seven anticipated changes, including:
· An increase in enrollment due to the economic downturn and Baby Boom echo
· Curriculum development in literature
· Enhancements in the use of media-rich instructional
· Greater social and institutional emphasis on measurable outcomes
6. Program Self-Assessment
The program offers innovative and dynamic learning opportunities for the entire Shoreline community. From comprehensive, integrated courses and leadership in multicultural education and learning outcomes, to locally recognized poetry events and community service, English faculty provide significant contributions in virtually all areas. At the same time, opportunities for improvement exist. The program insists on continual self-assessment and improvement and recognizes that challenges exist in areas such as diversity, retention, and technology.
7. Multiculturalism and Diversity
The English and Communications Programs faculty are one among the most diverse on campus. However, the English and Communications Programs measure their contributions to multiculturalism in many other ways as well. Faculty infuse diversity through the structure of the programs, quarterly class offerings, participation in campus committees, programs and activities that focus on multiculturalism and diversity, specific classroom activities, and by considering multiple perspectives in on-going dialogues with colleagues.
8. Achievement of 1999-2000 and 2000-2001 Program Goals/Objectives
The program achieved a number of important goals and objectives during the past two years. Outcomes assessment improvements in Developmental English and transfer composition and the development and promotion of literature offerings were crucial achievements during the past two years.
9. 2001-2002 Program Goals and Objectives
The English and Communications Programs’ goals and objectives for the current academic year include continuing ongoing projects and beginning new revisions of current curriculum. The programs will continue to improve their innovative instructional approaches to Developmental English, Study Skills, composition, and literature. In addition, the English and Communications Programs will work toward applying the new campus wide General Education outcomes and assist in the assessment of reading and writing skills and abilities. The program will also begin the difficult but necessary task of updating and revising the literature curriculum to better match current best practices in literature instruction and offerings.