General Education Core To assess the General Education Core, the college utilizes a competency-based model. Six competencies have been selected by the college’s Assessment Committee and endorsed by the institution’s leadership: • • • • • •
Scientific Reasoning/Collegiate Lab Skills Written Communication Oral Communication Computer Literacy Critical Thinking/Reasoning/Mathematical Skill Valuing of Diversity
Although the General Education Core is, by definition, central to all academic programs, the management of each of the six competencies is the responsibility of a particular academic division: • • • • • •
Scientific Reasoning/Collegiate Lab Skills: Biology Department Written Communication: English Department Oral Communication: Speech Department Computer Literacy: Computer Science Department Critical Thinking/Reasoning/Mathematical Skill: Math Department Valuing of Diversity: Social Sciences Department
The General Education faculty and staff have identified the following outcomes as measures of program effectiveness: 1. Student Learning and Program Outcomes SLO (1): The student will demonstrate understanding of a microscope and other laboratory equipment and
2. Assessment Criteria and Schedule 80% of BIO 103 students will achieve a passing score (defined as 70% or higher) on the first attempt on a laboratory
3. Assessment Results
4. Analysis and Use of Results
Faculty assessed this competency through three separate instruments: 79% of students achieved a passing
To improve this outcome, faculty have modified the check-off procedure in microscope use from a group