NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE
Student Learning Outcomes
The following section identifies and describes the QEP’s student learning outcomes, outcome descriptions, actions, and assessments. SLOs focus on connecting classroom learning with industry needs by building awareness, articulation, and application of the identified employability skills required to gain and maintain quality employment. Recent research in these areas suggests that “new graduates may possess the desired employability skills, but are not aware that they have them” (Goodwin, 2019). Higher education has not adequately talked to students about the “skill development inherent in their education” (Goodwin, 2019). Aspire to be Hired seeks to connect the dots and build student awareness of employability skills that employers seek through intentional instruction and structured support services. Research from Finch (2013) argues that “students are most likely to acquire employability skills better when they are explicitly integrated into program goals, and conclude that ‘learning outcomes linked to soft-skills development should take priority…within these programs’” (Goodwin, 2019).
Awareness of Employability Skills QEP participants will exhibit an increased awareness of employability skills. .
Articulation of Employability Skills QEP participants will demonstrate the ability to describe and discuss the identified employability skill related to a work environment.
Application of Employability Skills QEP participants will be provided opportunities to apply the identified employability skill/knowledge.
Students in QEP courses will identify employability skills and their importance to industry and self.
NCTC’s QEP develops students’ employment marketability resulting in improved job attainment in their chosen career fields and through job performance and trajectory. A post-graduation First Destination Survey will capture information and data regarding how new college graduates fare in their careers within six to twelve months of graduation or transfer to another college/university (Appendix G).
Students in QEP courses will describe and discuss the identified employability skill related to a work environment.
Student Learning Outcome 3: Students in QEP courses will apply the identified employability skill/knowledge.
NCTC’s QEP Committee identified “specific, well-defined goals related to an issue of substance and depth, expected to lead to observable results,” as requested in the SACSCOC Handbook for Institutions Seeking Reaffirmation. Three primary program outcomes and supporting student learning outcomes have been identified to bolster and support the QEP’s overall mission.
While the programmatic outcomes and the student learning outcomes might seem similar, it is important to differentiate between the two because NCTC’s QEP is co-curricular and is inclusive to instruction and student services. The programmatic outcomes will be assessed based on institutional assessment measures whereas the student learning outcomes will be assessed in students’ courses and participation in structured activities. The complete assessment plan including the ways in which student learning outcomes will be measured is provided in Section IX: Assessment. 11
QEP REPORT PROGRAM AND STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
SECTION III
Program Outcomes
NCTC’s QEP seeks to develop students’ employability skills through instruction and career coaching to address students’ skills gaps. These professional employability skills will be taught, reinforced, and demonstrated to students. Program and student learning outcomes address skills gaps in awareness and articulation of employability skills. QEP goals are identified below.
