STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION – TOPIC SUMMARY
Topic: Community College Program Approval
Date: January 17-18, 2008
Staff/Office: Office of Education Improvement & Innovation
Action Requested: Information only Policy Adoption Policy Adoption/Consent Calendar
ISSUE BEFORE THE BOARD: Approval of new community college programs:
· Lane Community College: Water Conservation Technician (Associate of Applied Science Degree);
· Linn-Benton Community College: Polysomnographic Technology (Certificate of Completion)
BACKGROUND: ORS 341.425 directs the State Board of Education to approve all proposed community college programs. ORS 344.259 directs the board to coordinate continuing education in lower division, developmental, adult self-improvement, professional and technical education for agencies under its regulator authority.
341.425 Approval required to commence or change program and for transfer credits. (1) Before an educational program is commenced at any community college, the board of education of a community college district shall apply to the State Board of Education for permission to commence the program. After the first year of the program, course additions, deletions or changes must be presented to the State Board of Education or a representative of the Department of Community Colleges and Workforce Development authorized to act for the state board for approval.
(2) Until the community college becomes accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges or its successor, the community college shall contract with an accredited community college for its instructional services, including curricula, to ensure its courses carry accreditation and are acceptable for transfer.
(3) After reviewing the contractual agreement between the nonaccredited and the accredited colleges and after suggesting any modifications in the proposed program of studies, the State Board of Education shall approve or disapprove the application of a district. [Formerly 341.560; 1971 c.513 §89; 1991 c.757 §6; 1995 c.67 §17; 1997 c.270 §1; 1999 c.147 §§1,2]
344.259 Coordination of continuing education. (1) The State Board of Education shall coordinate continuing education in lower division, developmental, adult self-improvement, professional and technical education for agencies under its regulatory authority. The State Board of Higher Education shall coordinate continuing education in upper division and graduate education for institutions under its jurisdiction.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
The Commissioner and Staff Recommend Adoption of the Following Resolution:
RESOLVED, that the State Board of Education approve the following programs:
Water Conservation Technician Associate of Applied Science Degree at Lane Community College.
Polysomnographic Technology Certificate of Completion at Linn-Benton Community College.
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(Abstract continued)
Oregon Department of Community Colleges And Workforce DevelopmentPublic Service Building
255 Capitol St. N.E.
Salem, Oregon 97310-0203 / Office of Educational Improvement & Innovation
Action Item
Policy Issue: Staff Action on New Career and Technical Education Programs
Proposed Community College Program
State Board Standards--Staff Analysis Abstract
Name of College: / Lane Community CollegeProgram Title: / Water Conservation Technician AAS Degree
Proposed Start Date: / Fall / 2008
Board Submission Date: / January 17-18, 2008
Adverse Impact Completed: / May 29, 2007
Type of Program:
o Associate of Applied Science Degree
Credits: 93-95
CIP Code: 03.0205
CIP Title: Water, Wetlands and Marine Resources Management
o Option Title
Credits:
CIP Code:
CIP Title:
o Certificate of Completion
Credits:
CIP Code:
CIP Title:
o Business and Industry (closed enrollment)
Assurances: The College has met or will meet the four institutional assurances required for program application.
1. Access. The college and program will affirmatively provide access, accommodations, flexibility, and additional/supplemental services for special populations and protected classes of students.
2. Continuous Improvement. The college has assessment, evaluation, feedback, and continuous improvement processes or systems in place. For the proposed program, there will be opportunities for input from and concerning the instructor(s), students, employers, and other partners/stakeholders. Program need and labor market information will be periodically re-evaluated and changes will be requested, as needed.
3. Adverse impact and detrimental duplication. The college will follow all current laws, rules, and procedures and has made good faith efforts to avoid or resolve adverse intersegmental and intrasegmental impact and detrimental duplication problems with other relevant programs or institutions.
4. Program records maintenance and congruence. The college acknowledges that the records concerning the program title, curriculum, CIP code, credit hours, etc. maintained by the Department are the official records and it is the college’s responsibility to keep their records aligned with those of the Department. The college will not make changes to the program without informing and/or receiving approval from the Department.
Summary
The proposed Water Conservation Technician Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree will train and certify Water conservation professionals to create efficiency solutions. This program teaches graduates how to design, implement and evaluate water conservation programs. Filling this workforce niche with trained technicians is crucial to ensuring water security given the water stressors such as climate change and increases in demand and pollution.
Program Highlights
Standards: The College has met the five program approval standards.1. Need / The community college provides clear evidence of the need for the program.
· The development of this program is in response to an emerging need identified by key government, industry partners and education partners.
· Employment opportunities include but are not limited to, Water Conservation Coordinators, Water Resources Technicians, Water Management Specialists, and General Conservation Scientists.
· Phone surveys were conducted which included West Coast water suppliers; and it was determined that this is an emerging workforce need; the technical educational preparation is not currently provided by higher education.
· It is projected that by 2013, 36 states will experience a water shortage; while related employment is expected to be slow to moderate, the greatest increase in employment is expected to be in the next 5-10 years.
· A Water Conservation Program Coordinator in Washington State projected a need for 450 water conservation professionals statewide.
· Salary ranges for the aforementioned positions range from $36,500 to $59,925
2. Collaboration / The community college utilizes systemic methods for meaningful and ongoing involvement of the appropriate constituencies.
· The Advisory Committee, composed of industry practitioners, has closely guided the development of the course outlines and content. They have also expressed great interest in hiring graduates and facilitating the work of interns. Organizations represented include, but are not limited to, Oregon Water Resources Department; City of Bend, City of Corvallis, Public Works, Portland Water Bureau, Eugene Water and Electric Board, Medford Water Commission, City of Tigard, Tualatin Valley Water District, and Weyerhaeuser.
· Ongoing meetings (a minimum of 6 per year) allow advisory committee members to suggest and track necessary changes. A working partnership with the American Water Works Association confirms that this program meets industry needs.
· Working relationships with businesses and vendors helps faculty integrate emerging technologies and practices into program offerings
3. Alignment / The community college program is aligned with appropriate education, workforce development, and economic development programs.
· Advisory Committee members collaborate with lead faculty to confirm that the program meets workforce needs and is aligned with economic development opportunities.
· Committee members provide internship, cooperative education and temporary employment opportunities for program participants and graduates.
· Lane has a formal agreement with the Pacific Northwest Section - American Water Works Association. This AAS is aligned with the Lane Community College sustainability core value and emerging initiatives as well as with a proposal for a U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration grant. The program also meets the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency WaterSense partnership program goals.
· The program is aligned with Oregon Clusters through “Energy Efficiency” and “Environmental Technology” cluster areas. Increasing water conservation teaches technical skills, decreases energy use and increases environmental awareness.
· The program will leverage curriculum through the PK-20 spectrum. There is existing water conservation education at elementary and middle schools in Eugene, Oregon; it is provided by Eugene Water and Electric Board and often by utilities in other areas. The Water Program will connect with these educational programs through internships and service learning opportunities for students.
· High school science curriculum connections will be facilitated through College Now, offering students dual credit for entry level courses.
· Pathways from Lane’s Adult Basic and Secondary Education program, English as a Second Language program, and through specialized efforts such as bridge courses will be integral to program design
· Formal curriculum pathways will be further developed with programs at four-year institutions in environmental studies (University of Oregon) and sustainability (Portland State University).
4. Design / The community college program leads to student achievement of academic and technical knowledge, skills, and related proficiencies.
· Best management practices in program assessment will be employed to ensure that students are able to achieve academic and technical knowledge, skills, abilities and related proficiencies.
· Several levels of assessment will be used including programmatic and class level.
· Pedagogical effectiveness will be fostered by:
· Syllabus alignment between stated overall course learning outcomes and the assessments described.
· Course materials for lesson or unit level objectives align to course level learning outcomes as well as to the assessments for each unit.
· Alignment of scope and sequence of courses in program.
· Program effectiveness will be verified by: student completion rates, student grades, student feedback and satisfaction.
· The professional who has developed the program thus far is a practitioner in the industry as well as faculty for Lane Community College.
5. Capacity / The community college identifies and has the resources to develop, implement, and sustain the program.
· Through the partnerships with local industry and trade organizations, the water program has secured outside funding to begin development of the program, which will be self-funded and sustainable over time.
· The program has documented support from Oregon Water Resources Department; City of Corvallis; Public Works; Portland Water Bureau; Eugene Water and Electric Board; Tualatin Valley Water District; Weyerhaeuser; City of Renton, WA; Washington Department of Health; Ewing Irrigation, Portland, OR; Covington Water District, Kent, WA; Medford Water Commission; City of Ashland.
· Additional grants and outside funding will ensure that the program has appropriate financial resources to stay the course until it is fully self-supported in 3-5 years.
· The existing professional network is expected to grow over time; industry professionals to teach in the program, and organizations with which students can work, will be identified.
Approval
Signature
Name / Laura Roach / Salam Noor / Camille Preus
Title / EII Education Specialist / Assistant Superintendent ODE / DCCWD Commissioner
Date / 12/12/2007
The Commissioner and Staff Recommend Adoption of the Following Resolution:
RESOLVED, that the State Board of Education approve the Water Conservation Technician Associate of Applied Science Degree program at Lane Community College.
Oregon Department of Community Colleges And Workforce DevelopmentPublic Service Building
255 Capitol St. N.E.
Salem, Oregon 97310-0203 / Office of Educational Improvement & Innovation
Action Item
Policy Issue: Staff Action on New Career and Technical Education Programs
Proposed Community College Program
State Board Standards--Staff Analysis Abstract
Name of College: / Linn-Benton Community CollegeProgram Title: / Polysomnographic Technology
Proposed Start Date: / March / 2008
Board Submission Date: / January 17-18, 2007
Adverse Impact Completed: / December 4, 2007
Type of Program:
o Associate of Applied Science Degree
Credits:
CIP Code:
CIP Title:
o Option Title
Credits:
CIP Code:
CIP Title:
x Certificate of Completion
Credits: 44
CIP Code: 51.1099
CIP Title: Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science and Allied Professions, Other
o Business and Industry (closed enrollment)
Assurances: The College has met or will meet the four institutional assurances required for program application.
· Access. The college and program will affirmatively provide access, accommodations, flexibility, and additional/supplemental services for special populations and protected classes of students.
· Continuous Improvement. The college has assessment, evaluation, feedback, and continuous improvement processes or systems in place. For the proposed program, there will be opportunities for input from and concerning the instructor(s), students, employers, and other partners/stakeholders. Program need and labor market information will be periodically re-evaluated and changes will be requested, as needed.
· Adverse impact and detrimental duplication. The college will follow all current laws, rules, and procedures and has made good faith efforts to avoid or resolve adverse intersegmental and intrasegmental impact and detrimental duplication problems with other relevant programs or institutions.
· Program records maintenance and congruence. The college acknowledges that the records concerning the program title, curriculum, CIP code, credit hours, etc. maintained by the Department are the official records and it is the college’s responsibility to keep their records aligned with those of the Department. The college will not make changes to the program without informing and/or receiving approval from the Department.
Summary
Polysomnographic Technician (PST) is a new and emerging occupation as cited by the Division of Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) in the Department of Labor lists. Samaritan Health Services (serving Linn, Benton and Lincoln counties) and the Corvallis Clinic researched and brought forward the need for a PST program at Linn-Benton Community College (LBCC).
Local high schools align with LBCC through their Health Occupations classes and are informed of choices in Polysomnographic Technician pathway through LBCC events such as Summer Academy, Career Cruise and Career Open House. The LBCC PST certificate can lead to immediate employment or an advance degree (Associate of Applied Science (AAS) and/or Bachelor of Science (BS)). Future employment opportunities include Management in Health Care Organizations or Medical Equipment Training and Sales with wages ranging from $20.60-$67.83 per hour.
Students will develop the expertise needed to become a professional Polysomnographic Technologist. In the program, students will develop an understanding of the physiology of sleep with emphasis on sleep disorders and their treatment. They will learn how to administer, score and interpret a variety of sleep tests. This program will be offered through a combination of on-line lecture, hands-on practice in a laboratory setting, and patient contact in a clinical practicum. This program will meet the accreditation standards of the Association of Polysomnographic Technologists.