Advancing Equity through Assessment of Student Learning Initiative
Overview
The purpose of the Advancing Equity Through the Assessment of Student Learning initiative is to make equity a lens through which we approach assessment, from prioritizing courses and programs to determining measurement instruments and intervention strategies, and to identifying opportunities to improve and renew assessment processes and policies at a systemic level. Faculty are invited to take part in four-semester assessment cohorts, serving as leads for courses that were prioritized based on equity gaps, student success rates, and enrollment volume.
The faculty leads of courses prioritized each semester comprise the cohort which is facilitated by a faculty Cohort Lead. Professional development focuses on equitable student learning outcomes, assessment and analysis methods, and high-impact teaching practices. The four-semester cycle of the initiative will involve collaborating with department colleagues to:
choose an outcome or outcomes you’d like to assess
determine the best method for assessing the outcome
carry out the assessment
interpret results
identify any needed interventions to close noted equity gaps or other needs, and implement the intervention.
Cohort Lead Role
Serving as the Cohort Lead is an opportunity to support a cross-disciplinary group of faculty through a structured process of outcomes assessment and professional learning, with a lens of equity in teaching and learning. The main goal of the Advancing Equity through the Assessment of Student Learning Initiative is to foster a culture in which assessment is used to enhance student learning and close equity gaps.
Potential Faculty Cohort Leads will submit an application for consideration, and these applications will be reviewed by a cross-functional team. Faculty cohort leads may be full-time or part-time faculty in the bargaining unit. Initially, the Assessment Strategy Team (AST) will serve as the selection committee. This process will be assessed and likely modified by the AST in the future. The AST identified the following selection criteria for cohort leads and developed a rubric to be used during the review process:
Demonstrated leadership in facilitating conversations with peers across disciplinary areas.
Demonstrated leadership in implementing classroom, departmental and/or institutional change.
Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of issues related to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI).
Regular participation in professional development opportunities, whether internally through ECC or through external organizations.
At least four semesters of teaching experience and must currently be teaching at ECC.
Preview the application contents here.
An Assessment Faculty Cohort Lead shall be appointed for a term of six semesters. Every such term will begin on the first date of the first semester in Year 1 and conclude on the last date of the final, sixth semester. Faculty Cohort Leads are not required to be on campus during the summer. For semesters 1-4, Faculty Cohort Leads will lead an assessment cohort in the Advancing Equity Initiative. For semesters 3-6, the Faculty Cohort Lead will also support up to 6 assigned departments/programs in their course assessment efforts. For semesters 5 and 6, Faculty Cohort Leads will not support an assessment cohort but will only continue support of their assigned departments/programs.
Provisions will be made for each Assessment Faculty Cohort Lead to have adequate secretarial and copying help. Compensation stipend rates shall be consistent with the protocols set forth in the Supplemental Assignment Chart. Faculty within the tenure process will be ineligible to serve as a Faculty Cohort Lead.
Description
Within the Advancing Equity Through Assessment Initiative, in support of their assessment cohort
Facilitate Faculty Course Lead meetings and discussions (2-3 meetings each semester).
Collaborate with Faculty Course Leads on assessment plan development
Identify resources and professional development based on cohort needs
Participate in assessment professional development
During semesters 3-6, serve as an assessment liaison and resource for routine course assessment processes for up to 6 assigned departments/programs, with support including
Meeting with ICs and appropriate department faculty at the start of the assessment cycle to support conversations on choosing what to assess and determining assessment methods that effectively align with the chosen outcome(s).
Coordinating with ICs and appropriate department faculty throughout the assessment process for individual support in planning, collecting data, interpreting data, and planning interventions to improve learning.
Providing, as needed professional development support, in collaboration with CETAL, for members of their assigned departments and applicable areas.
Providing individual consultations as needed regarding assessment support.
Additionally, Assessment Faculty Cohort Leads will serve on the SLAAC committee.
Compensation
It was agreed that Faculty Cohort Leads will be compensated at a rate equivalent to the Voluntary Overload Rate for 3 contact hours per semester (e.g. $1,000 x 3 = $3,000 for Fall 2023).
Course Lead Role
Course Lead Application Preview
Serving as the Course Lead of a high-priority course is an opportunity to lead and coordinate analysis of student learning among faculty regularly teaching the course. It is the college’s intention to provide faculty with the professional development, time, space, and support needed to support a process of outcomes assessment and professional learning, with a lens of equity in teaching and learning. The main goal of the Advancing Equity through the Assessment of Student Learning Initiative is to foster a culture in which assessment is used to enhance student learning and close equity gaps.
The Assessment Faculty Cohort Lead will solicit volunteers for Assessment Faculty Course Leads from within the group of faculty who regularly teach the course being assessed. The AST will identify Faculty Course Leads from those who indicate an interest in serving. An Assessment Faculty Course Lead shall serve for a term of two (2) years. Every such term will begin on the first date of the first semester in Year 1 and conclude on the last date of the final semester in Year 4. Assessment Faculty Course Leads are not required to be on campus during the summer. Provisions will be made for each Assessment Faculty Course Lead to have adequate secretarial and copying help. Compensation stipend rates shall be consistent with the protocols set forth in the Supplemental Assignment Chart. Faculty within the tenure process will be ineligible to serve a Faculty Course Lead.
Description
• Complete Equity Assessment professional development modules
• Attend Assessment Cohort meetings (2-3 each semester)
• Engage faculty teaching sections in assessment process
• Facilitate development of assessment plans
• Facilitate assessment activity with faculty teaching sections of course
• Facilitate assessment conversations with faculty teaching sections of course
• Draft assessment reports
Compensation
It was agreed that Faculty Course Leads will receive compensation equivalent to the L2S2 hourly rate, not to exceed 18 hours per semester unless approval is given by the Assistant VP of TLSD to exceed the maximum.
It was agreed that particularly for courses taught by a large number of faculty, it may be necessary for more than one Faculty Course Lead to serve in a given area.
It was agreed that the task of “report writing” would be broken out and compensated separately at the existing supplemental chart pay rate of $50/hour for a total of two hours.
Advancing Equity Assessment Cohorts
Fall 2024 Cohort
Cohort Lead: Meghan Staskal-Bradt (Adult Basic & Secondary Education)
Course leads:
DEA 107: Dental Radiography: Kim Plate
LIT 201: Introduction to Literature: Sara Baker
PHY 101: General Physics: Soma Chattopadhyah
Spring 2024 Cohort
Cohort Lead: Loretta Mielcarek (Communication Design)
Course leads:
ART 101: Drawing I: Joel Peck
BIO 105/115: Environmental Biology: Mary O’Sullivan
HOS 101: Intro to Hospitality Industry: Kim Rother
MKT 103: Marketing Clark Hallpike
POS 151: American Government: State and Local: Chris Newman
Fall 2023 Cohort
Cohort Lead: Sarah Stupegia (English)
Course leads:
Samira Chaker & Dave Packard ACC 200: Financial Accounting
Joe Schwab & Ron Two Bulls FSS 215: Emergency Medical Technician- Basic
Marilyn Westerhoff HPE 112: Intro to Medical Terminology
Geoff Pynn HUM 216: Ethics
Tremayne Simpson WEL 222: Blueprint Reading & Fabrication
Spring 2023 Cohort
Cohort Lead: Jeannie Anderson (English)
Course leads:
Terri Birch ART 115: Art Appreciation
Steven Trail CHM 142: General Chemistry I
Glenn Earl ENT 101: Entrepreneurship
Aja Ferguson & NUR 142: Nursing Concepts I
Barb Tarin
Kimberly Harrison SOC 100: Principles of Sociology
Fall 2022 Cohort
Cohort Lead: Rebecca Eller-Molitas (ESL)
Course leads:
Heidi Eaton CIS 110: Introduction to Computers
Todd Ramljak CRJ 101: Introduction to Criminal Justice
Leticia Starkov ECN 201: Principles of Microeconomics
Catherine Moushon MTH 112: College Algebra
Adam Schlipmann MUS 104: Musics of the World
Spring 2022 Cohort
Cohort Lead: Liddy Hope (Human Services)
Courses Leads:
Rhonda Robinson-Farrar BUS 100: Introduction to Business
Nina Ulman HIS 152: U.S. History Since 1865
Jennifer Altman LTC 099: College Literacy
Christopher Cunningham MTH 099: Combined Basic & Intermediate Algebra
Kevin Bab PSY 100: Intro to Psychology
Fall 2021 Cohort
Cohort Lead: Erin Vobornik (ESL)
Course Leads:
Ranae Ziwiski: ACC 100: Introductory Accounting
Janet Whitsitt: BIO 110: Principles of Biology
Eric Long: CMS 101: Fundamentals of Speech
Amanda Smothers: ENG 101/ENG 102: English Composition I & II
David Zacker: HUM 116: Logic