We had a terrific meeting yesterday (2/10/11) focusing on Acceleration at Fullerton College.  Thank you Katie and Myra for joining us and posting your presentation.

Orange County Regional Meeting on Accelerated Curricula and Pedagogy

Here’s the latest literature review from MDRC on stategies for improving Developmental Education…

“Emphasizing results from experimental and quasi- experimental studies, this literature review identifies the most promising approaches for revising the structure, curriculum, or delivery of developmental education and suggests areas for future innovations in developmental education practice and research. This analysis focuses on four different types of interventions for improving students’ progress through remedial education and into college-level courses, including (1) strategies that help students avoid developmental education by shoring up their skills before they enter college; (2) interventions that accelerate students’ progress through developmental education by shortening the timing or content of their courses; (3) programs that provide contextualized basic skills together with occupational or college-content coursework; and (4) programs that enhance the supports for developmental- level learners, such as advising or tutoring.”

http://www.mdrc.org/publications/601/full.pdf

Switch Your Organization: A Workbook

Get with the Program- Accelerating Community College Students’ Entry into and Completion of Programs of Study

For more information and registration go to: Assessment Strategies and Models that Help Tell the Story.

On September 28, 2010, Senate Bill 1143 (Liu) was chaptered into law. This legislation, effective January 1, 2011, requires the Board of Governors to establish a task force to examine best practices for promoting student success and adopt a plan for improving student success within the California Community Colleges.

This legislation launches a new examination of student success in the California Community Colleges in which the Student Success Task Force will, over the course of the year, examine best practices within the community colleges and effective models throughout the nation for accomplishing student success. By the end of the 12-month period, the Task Force will have developed a plan, to be adopted by the Board of Governors, and subsequently presented to the Legislature. Prior to presenting recommendations to the Board, the Task Force will facilitate discussions with key community college stakeholders and other appropriate parties.

The task force is composed of a broad representation of stakeholders, including faculty, researchers, college presidents and district chancellors, local trustees, campus-based practitioners, and third-party advocates.

The group has been instructed by the Legislature to focus, but not limit, its recommendations on the following:

1. Multiple measures and effective programs for assessing student success and completion, including, but not limited to, attaining college-level skills, accumulating college-level course credits, earning a degree or certificate, and transferring to a four-year college or university.
2. Statutory and regulatory barriers to student success and completion.
3. Best practices for promoting student success and completion, including, but not limited to, the acquisition of basic skills.
4. Alternative funding options for providing necessary services to students and promoting best practices for student success and completion.
5. Alternative funding options instituted in other states for improving student success and completion.
6. The effective use of technology by community colleges and districts to promote, evaluate, and improve student success and completion.