Southwest Texas Junior College Core Curriculum

Dr. Cheryl Sanchez, Dr. Mark Underwood, Dr. Renee Zimmerman, and Bobby Ayala Southwest Texas Junior College Spring 2015 Convocation

Presentation Objectives

• • • Provide a history of the Core and Core revision process Discuss new Core Objectives Identify some unresolved issues

Background

• Texas Core Curriculum - Each institution of higher education that offers an undergraduate academic degree program shall develop its core curriculum by using the Board-approved purpose, core objectives, and foundational component areas of the Texas Core Curriculum.

Old Core

• • Established in 1997 ▫ 42-46 SCH ▫ 37 EEOs Why change the core?

▫ THECB wants the core to help students build real world skills and capabilities

Philosophical Shift

• • •

Old Core

Accumulate credits Across a wide academic background EEOs were unique to a discipline • • •

New Core

Master six key skills In a variety of academic disciplines Core objectives are shared across the institution

Purposes of the Core

• Students will gain ▫ Knowledge of human cultures and physical and natural world ▫ Principles of personal and social responsibility ▫ Intellectual and practical skills

Workforce Report

• Interviewed ▫ 400+ employers ▫ Expectations and experiences with    High School Graduates Jr College Graduates University Graduates

Workforce Report Skills

• Basic Knowledge ▫ English ▫ Reading/writing ▫ Math ▫ Science ▫ Art ▫ Social Studies • Applied Skills ▫ Critical Thinking ▫ Communication ▫ Quantitative Reasoning ▫ Teamwork ▫ Personal and Social Responsibility

Foundational Component Area

Communication Mathematics Life and Physical Sciences Language, Philosophy, & Culture Creative Arts American History Government/Political Science Social and Behavioral Sciences Institutional Option

Core Objectives

Critical Thinking Communication Empirical and Quantitative Skills Teamwork Personal Responsibility Social Responsibility

Critical Thinking

• • Includes ▫ Creative thinking and innovation ▫ Inquiry ▫ Analysis, evaluation, and synthesis of information Addressed in ALL core courses

Communication

• • • Effective development, interpretation, and expression of ideas Includes ▫ Written communication ▫ Oral communication ▫ Visual communication Addressed in ALL core courses

Empirical and Quantitative

• • Includes ▫ Manipulation and analysis of numerical data or observable facts ▫ Create informed conclusions Addressed in Math, Science, and Social sciences

Teamwork

• • Includes ▫ Ability to consider different points of view ▫ Ability to work with others towards a shared goal Addressed in Communication, Sciences, and Fine Arts

Personal Responsibility

• • Ability to connect personal choices, actions, and consequences to ethical decision making Addressed in Communication, Language/Philosophy/Culture, History, Government

Social Responsibility

• • Includes ▫ Intercultural competence ▫ Civic responsibility ▫ Ability to engage in regional, national, and global communities Addressed in Language/Philosophy/Culture, Fine Arts, History, Government, Social Sciences

SWTJC Core Curriculum

• • • Committee began meeting Spring 2012 ▫ Matrices established Began Implementing Courses Fall 2012 ▫ Guidelines also established for implementation New core will be implemented Fall 2014

Component II

• The assessment of the Core Curriculum is an evaluation of attainment of the Core Objectives. ▫ A. Describe the institution’s process to determine the appropriate level of attainment of each Core Objective. ▫ B. Describe the institution’s plan for assessment of each Core Objective. Include the following components of the institution’s assessment plan:

▫ ▫ ▫ ▫ Assessment methods  explain the methodology (institutional portfolios, embedded assessment, etc.), describe the measures (must include at least one direct measure), outline the frequency and timeline of assessment; Criteria/Targets  explain the criteria and targets for the level of attainment of each Core Objective, include references to externally informed benchmarks; Analysis  explain how the results of the assessment will be evaluated; and Actions and Follow-up  explain the process for improving student learning based on the assessment results.

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Momentum Points Based on FY 2010 Data

Points SWTJC State

Math

1 336 31,062

Read/ Write

1 316 32,084

1 st Math

1 794 89,244

15 Credits

1 1,954 240,167

30 Credits

1 1,110 143,082

Transf

2 404 41,079

Assoc.

2 414 46,234

Core Cert.

Total Points

2 2 114 212 13,932 20,200 6,798 778,791

Artifact Submission • Common Naming system

Links

• THECB submission Process: http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/reports/PDF/2808.P

DF?CFID=33626535&CFTOKEN=92198239 • Quick Reference: http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/reports/PDF/2737.PD

F?CFID=33626535&CFTOKEN=92198239 • Core curriculum assessment guidelines: http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/index.cfm?objectid=2 4D2FE55-C9B7-419A-4D65413B13CD44ED ▫ (resources for assessments can also be found at the above site; Liberal Education and America's Promise (LEAP) and Valid Assessment of Learning in Undergraduate Education (VALUE) )