Developmental Studies Implementation Plan

Lone Star College System

Developmental Studies Implementation Plan

Approved by

Executive Council

December 11, 2002

The following procedural and policy guidelines are the basis of a Lone Star College System system wide implementation plan for Developmental Studies (DS). The Lone Star College System DS Implementation Plan is a three part program that includes the following components: 1) Start Right; 2) Learning First; and 3) Evaluating Effectiveness. All Lone Star College System colleges will adopt the same system except as noted below. The adoption of a common, system wide plan will insure consistency, fairness, and equity in the application and assessment of the program. This plan is effective for students enrolling in the Fall, 2003 semester.

The DS Implementation Committee, composed of Instructional VPs, Student Services VPs, and the District Director of DS, is responsible for insuring adoption of the various components.

Lone Star College System Developmental Studies Implementation Plan

I. Start Right

A common intake system approved by the College Vice Presidents will be adopted across the District.

Lone Star College System Intake System Components:

1. Outreach Initiative

The Task Force will work with the Public Information Council to develop common strategies for marketing and greater awareness of the Lone Star College System DS Implementation Plan, including ESL, GED, and traditional DS classes. The College Vice Presidents, District Director of DS, Vice Chancellor of External Affair and the Director of Public Relations and Information will be responsible for implementing the outreach initiative.

2. Assessment

Every student entering Lone Star College System (including those in certificate programs), except transient or casual students, will be assessed in accordance with the District DS Plan. The College Vice Presidents will developed common criteria for testing and placement, and insure implementation at each college.

3. Placement

Students will be placed in the appropriate classes based on test scores. Changes may be made to these placements only with the approval of the Academic Deans. The College Vice Presidents will develop written criteria for changes.

4. Advisement

Every student will have a web based Individual Learning Plan (life goals, career goals, major selection, course selection, accommodations for disabilities, financial aid advice, and student activities). College Vice Presidents will develop a common Student questionnaire to address a more complete profile of the student. The Vice Chancellor for Information Technology and the District Director of DS will provide for the implementation of the Individual Learning Plan.

5. Orientation

Every student required to enroll in at least one DS course will be required to attend an orientation session. The Council of Education and Student Development (CESD) will insure that similar information is offered at each college.

6. Mentoring

The colleges will establish mentoring systems for all students enrolled in a DS course. The College Vice Presidents and District Director of DS will recommend a system that utilizes the Individual Learning Plan, referrals, tutors, and an intrusive counseling program. Mentors will have specific responsibilities for contact and follow up.

Student cohorts and Learning Communities will also be piloted as systems of instruction and mentoring. Colleges will pilot Learning Community initiatives and report student success data to determine the feasibility of District wide implementation.

7. Training

The District Director of DS will work with the College Vice Presidents and Academic Deans to develop a handbook and professional development for counselors, advisors, faculty, deans, and other administrators to insure consistency in implementations of the program.

8. District Development Studies Plan

The District Director of DS will produce a written document outlining the specific policies, practices, and test scores and will consult with the College Vice Presidents to promulgate the document.

9. Web Site

The District Director of DS will develop a web site that houses pertinent information relative to DS at Lone Star College System, with the appropriate links to college web sites.

II. Learning First
Lone Star College System will implement policies and procedures that maximize opportunities for student success.

1. Pre-requisites

Curriculum Teams, chaired by the Academic Deans, will be given the charge of determining the college level reading, writing, and math prerequisite skills needed for every class in the Lone Star College System Catalog. Prerequisites will be prominently posted in the catalog. The Associate Vice Chancellor of Curriculum and Instruction, Academic Deans, College Vice Presidents, and the District Director of DS will oversee the process.

2. Late registration

Late registration will be abolished by Fall, 2003. Late registration is defined as enrolling in a class that has met more than once. Adequate numbers of appropriate late starting classes will be offered. Each college will develop alternative periods of enrollment such as Late Start beginning in the Fall, 2003. CESD will determine specific criteria for exceptions. Faculty will be consulted prior to enrolling a student after the start of classes.

Since attendance is key to student success, faculty may drop a student for non-attendance. Students are expected to abide by the faculty member’s attendance policy as stated in the course syllabus.

III. Evaluation

Lone Star College System is committed to developing a Developmental Studies program based on accurate and timely data.

The District Director of DS, Associate Vice Chancellor of Institutional Effectiveness, and College Vice Presidents will develop annual and semi-annual reports that include, but are not limited to, correlation between test scores and success, tracking of cohort groups through the various sequences of DS, including ESL classes, and a full analysis of the Lone Star College System program in comparison to other benchmarks.

The District Director of DS will work with the Academic Deans and College Vice Presidents to insure that courses are properly aligned to assure that students sequencing through programs have the necessary skills to move forward (see IV. Future Considerations, #5 for testing issues).

IV. Future Considerations

Lone Star College System will continue to explore methods to develop a system wide approach that meets the needs of its students and community.

1. Each college will name a person to coordinate developmental studies implementation

initiatives.

2. Colleges will engage faculty leaders and curriculum teams to implement writing, student success skills and other critical skills across the curriculum.

3. The Associate Vice Chancellor of Institutional Effectiveness will research and analyze correlation between class size and student performance for DS students in order to gauge the feasibility of limited DS class sizes.

4. Colleges will develop and implement a mandatory Student Success course (3-5 hours) for students who are deficient in two areas, or if required to enroll in any of the lowest level developmental courses.

5. One or more colleges will pilot exit or entrance tests to insure preparation and success of passage through sequential classes.

6. Develop a performance based funding model that allows Lone Star College System colleges reaching certain goals to have access to additional funds.

7. The Colleges will submit budget estimates for implementation for consideration as part of the District initiative.

DS Final Plan

1/6/2003