9
ABE ARTICULATION STEERING COMMITTEE
April 27th – 28th, 2006
Malaspina College, Nanaimo Campus
Nanaimo, B.C.
Attendees:
Name: College
Glenda Hunter Malaspina (Chair of Steering Committee)
Barb Coombs Selkirk (Co-Chair)
Guests:
Stephanie Oldford BCCAT
Patty Beatty-Guenter Ministry
Sue Hanley First Nations Technology Council
Cheryl Porter BCCampus
Committee Members:
Lesley Watts NIC (Chair of English)
Patricia Corbett-Labatt NIC
Costa Karavas VCC (Chair of Mathematics)
George Korman College of the Rockies
Alison Duperron College of New Caledonia
Fred Cunningham TRU
John Harris TRU – OL
Jill Auchinachie Camosun
Jennifer Dreier Camosun
Lana Stowe IIG – All Nations
Robert Ferro Yukon College
Carol Schoen Capilano College (Chair of Socials)
Brent Langlois Nicola Valley Institute of Technology
(Chair of First Nations)
Geoff Dean Kwantlen
Gary Lawrence VCC (Chair of Science)
Gord Buzzard Malaspina
Larry Bolingbroke NCC
Kathy Hamilton Okanagan University College
Bryan Richards TRU (Chair of Computers)
Sue Brigden University College Fraser Valley
Lee Emery TRU
Hilary Rourke Douglas College
Alison Bowe Camosun
Marilyn Smitshoek Douglas College
Maggie O’Sullivan SLP – Deans & Directors
Absent:
Bonnie Wai Ministry
Dilbagh Dhammi Capilano Colllege
The meeting was called to order at 9:03 am. Dean Dennis Silverstone thanked the Committee for the great work they have done on Adult Basic Education. Glenda Hunter (Chair) welcomed and thanked everyone for their work. Everyone introduced themselves.
Minutes 2005
Mentioned from Chair that she has received emails from Committee members with corrections. Any further corrections or additions to the Minutes. Laurie Jensen was to be added to the Minutes in terms of attendance. Minutes 2005 was adopted and accepted.
Agenda 2005
Members were asked if any additions or changes to be made to the Agenda. Bonnie Wai from the Ministry of Education was unable to attend the meeting. Her presentation will not be available at this time. Meeting dates and co-chair is to be discussed today (Thursday) rather than Friday due to some members not able to attend the meeting on Friday.
2005 Agenda was approved.
INSTITUTION REPORTS
Copies of the Institution Reports were sent by email to the Chair and will be distributed to Committee members.
Selkirk College
Last year enrollment was down 10 per cent. This year enrollment is down 8 per cent. Enrollment in Nelson is steady. This is due to withdrawal of funding through the various agencies. Students are choosing to work rather than go to school. All textbooks are supplied by our library. Many staff are retiring this year and we are hoping to bring in new people.
Kwantlen College
The Report distributed to members. This report does not include fundamental levels. Geoff Dean mentioned there are various courses being offered at Kwantlen including advanced level in the Math department. He is pleased that FTEs will be discussed today as it concerns ABE. There is an indication that we are reaching people for ABE, particularly those who do not have Grade 12. There are challenges to be faced which include retirement and transitions to universities; the pathways are great but could be a problem in the future. Failure rates are half. We need better assessments of courses. Students at the high school level need 90 per cent for an A and at the college level students need 80 per cent. The Chair asked about the graph. This is just a demographic graph.
Thompson River College – Open Learning
Enrollment is down. Students are not attending. It is hoped that enrollment will increase as potential students are made aware that open learning is available through TRU. Revision of courses is in the process. Concern was expressed of competition for open learning due to Athabasca University now offering open learning n various courses and degrees. This makes it hard to compete. This is now considered a Canada-wide open learning.
Camosun College
Enrollment is up overall with a possible recruitment for more students. There is a continuing trend in English; we are losing students which has resulted in offering few sections. There is an increased proportion of part-time students and an increased number of students with multiple barriers. A study is being conducted for more accessibility to students. Some additional funding was accessed and work is in the process for financial aid and other funding. Textbooks are available in the library.
Assessment – Many students are entering in at low levels. We need to set up alternate assessment procedures for English and Math. Students work in small groups and one-to-one discussions which works well at the fundamental level. The Assessment Center is piloting an online assessment for the writing part (essay). ABE Department has been broken into several departments and is coordinating with other departments to increase access to the college, particularly in the business and upgrade courses. Students who are in the trade programs struggling with the math skills can receive support and help with these skills. Camosun is continuing to offer Saturday mornings, evening courses and partners with First Nations.
Registration has become complicated. We have hired an employee to simplify the registration. In the Nursing Program students who are on the waitlist are contacted take courses to become ready when they enter the program. We are contacting business offering employers to encourage employees upgrade skills. Some hotels in Victoria are thinking about working with the college in offering upgrade courses to employees.
There was discussion concerning the advanced math course in that students must have at least Principals Math 11 to enter the Nursing program at the college. The ABE Steering Committee was asked to raise this concern about the math requirements for the Nursing Program since Athabasca Distant Learning is offering stats course without any prerequisite.
Vancouver Community College – Co-Chair for Math
VCC is about to create a nursing program for the future. Students entering the LPN program need to obtain an A in order to enter the program. VCC continues to be tuition-free for students who have graduated from high school. Funding still available for ESL students. There is a decline in enrollment, however, other programs are growing, particularly in hospitality and trades. The campus will be tripling in size with construction starting in Fall for Phase 1; Phase 2 will be starting 2010. VCC has developed new courses for new immigrants in high school in English and ABE courses. Any one who would like more information about the new course can contact Jane Parker at VCC.
Essential skills for trade program – technical training for workplace consists of math, reading and field trips. Michele McLeod is the coordinator for this new course. Question – Does VCC have international students taking courses. VCC has had very few international students this past year. The trend seems to be less and less. There seems to be smaller schools, particularly in the Vancouver, that is marketing international students.
Yukon College
The enrollment has declined a little this past year. In ABE advanced enrolments have been good using video conferencing with 12 community campuses. We are offering Math and English and will be offering Science through internet. In the fall, Yukon piloted trade-related Math and Science exam. This seems to have worked well and will become part of regular offering as well as some electives that will be career-related. Funding is $300 per semester and $150 per course. Next year the college campus will be closed for 3 weeks as we will be used as the athlete village for the winter games.
Okanagan College
There is a need to remove tuition fees for all high school students with revision of admission and evaluation. Better cooperation with other departments in college community and operation. We have a few pilot projects with the introduction to college studies which is a one week presemester for all students. Another pilot course is the supplemental instruction course for first year English. There is a supplemental trades math course being developed. We have 150 volunteers in the community promoting the college.
Admission requirements have changed – lower admission requirements now. Students complete the upgrades through the high schools in order to enter into programs rather than through the college. There is a change in student profile due to declining enrollment, having to adapt and change which require support. Students are working. We need to work with flexible classes, evenings, alternative schedules in order to attract students to the college. Space is an issue that needs to be addressed. Assessment – we are looking at ways and tools to better assess students.
College of New Caledonia
Enrollment has increased at regional campuses. Advanced and provincial courses are attracting students. There is an issue with multi-cultural society where students are being sent to ABE rather than ESL Most of the courses are instructor-led. We do not offer any courses during the summer which seems to be an issue with students who would like courses to be offered during the summer. We have a large number of students entering into the health-related programs who do not have lab preparation. All courses are tuition-free with class sets of textbook available in the library. Students pay a computer and tech fee for all courses. The college has asked that provincial chemistry be a prerequisite to enter the health programs. There is considerable concern about some lay-offs and how it will affect programs.
Capilano College
There is great support for ABE at this college. We have seen a decrease in enrollment, particularly at the North Vancouver campus. English classes are not as full; math and science courses are growing. The Squamish campus is growing rapidly whereas the Sechelt campus remains quite small. We are seeing more multi-varied and severely disabled students and are not sure how to deal with this issue. Capilano is offering courses in socials and advanced math with ABEL courses online.
Douglas College
Enrollment has been steady. Fees are substantial – 2.2 per cent. All health care programs are moving to the other campus. We have managed to keep programs full, seeing more and more younger students, especially high school. Students need to upgrade English 12 and are having to attend Douglas College to upgrade as they are not prepared for first year. We are offering foundation courses which allow students to combine reading/writing courses with upgrade courses at the same time. This has been successful. Prebusiness foundation program integrates reading, math, writing, computer and upgrade of business courses to start in September.
Assessment is a large component with students going through several departments for assessments. Accuplacer program is a successful program that is used for assessing students. Scores are articulated for specific skills with subscores within this program for assessments. Kwantlen College is considering using Accuplacer assessment for trades. All students are asked to write the Acculacer assessment at Selkirk College in Nelson. This uses all aspects of math and reading comprehensive tool which provides excellent results.
Northwest Community College
Northwest Community College has new initiatives – essential skills for work for First Nations. There has been a loss of funding relating to First Nations at the fundamental level – English, career planning, math, essentials skills for work. Basic skills are offered combining with a 4-6 week of work experience for First Nations. This has been well accepted in the First Nations communities with very strong attendance. It is still a pilot program having to create simulated work experience due to high unemployment in the First Nations. It is a successful program (3 months) extending to Terrace and Smithers. We are working on a trades access program which ran in Prince Rupert spread over 2 semesters for students wanting to do trades combining it with shop and safety skills. Question: How many hours are students taking classes? Classes are 4 ½ hours per day.
Nicola Valley
The report was distributed to members. Each page was briefly summarized.
Enrollment was a struggle this year as students needed all courses to graduate. We have had to drop courses due to low enrollment. We are working closely with administrating, looking at stronger modular learning and job-specific trades. We are also working closely with the local school district to have high school students take some ABE courses through the college. We have not had to justify to save the ABE program. We are offering some language courses for First Nations. Elders are in residence for student consultation as well as elder involvement at all levels.
North Island College
The enrollment is steady at the ABE level. We are not meeting government target and are trying ways to attract more students. Tuition continues to be free for ABE students. Students have to buy own textbooks and lab fee. UT courses have WebCTs for instructors to post assignments, online math and online provincial physics courses. We are offering business courses, upgrade courses for health field to attract as many ABE students. We are also looking at Accuplacer for student assessments. Intermediate Math is now online except the test. Students can purchase physics lab kit for home but must obtain permission.
University College Fraser Valley – Abbotsford Campus
Class time is flexible with classes running two weeks longer for contact time with students. CCP will be moved to Chilliwack which is a concern as it is located on the outskirts towards Cultus Lake. Most students come from the downtown core. Trades is also moving to Chilliwack. There is a push for university status but nothing has come of it yet. Summer semester was offered for the first time last year which will provide three full semesters for students and a 300 per cent increase in FTEs. It has also increased enrollment as students can continue to work and not lose the math skills. Adult Special Education has a work place task for adults with special needs, offering fundamental skills. We will not be able to offer that program due to no space at Abbotsford. There is a good connection with community due to outreach in community schools. There is an increased number of multi-barrier students. Night courses are over-enrolled. We will be conducting course review with a need for more consistency in assessments in business and tech math courses.
Thompson River College
TRU has completed its first year under the new name. A new collective agreement has recently been signed with faculty members. Departments have more responsibility with a 3 year program plan. Student enrollments are down this year which predominately at the lower fundamental level. There is a concern about attrition and money not available for ABE regional courses. There is an initial learning community program to support First Nations students in first semester. Departments are involved in supportive learning and first year experience in student focus groups. There is a marked increase in utilization of university prep centres by students coming for extra help due to the work of the coordinator. The Centre has instructors and work study tutors. The micro lab has drawn students for helping completing assignments. There is a general feeling of anticipation and optimism of a move for open learning activities in Kamloops to be completed by Spring of 2007.