Developmental Education Committee

Meeting Minutes: October 20, 2003

Present: Beth Adams, John Arola, Barb Cox, Ann DeArmond, Kathy Grosh, Joni Mathison, Jerry Niebauer, Judy Nordeen, Deanne Roquet, Paula Young

Minutes:

1. ESL: Paula reported on the conversation day break-out session devoted to ESL. Recommendations from that group include:

• Discontinue ESL test contract with Sylvan Learning Centers, and provide the TOEFL and CELSA tests on-campus
• Explore the possibility of lowered tuition costs for ESL classes to attract international students to LSC
• Develop a program and hire an ESL instructor
• Develop a program planner and offer 2 ESL classes Fall 2004
• Employ an ESL instructor in the LC
• Benefits of an ESL program include more diversity on campus, providing for a need in the community, and encouraging enrollment of international students at LSC.

2. Online Courses - Hybrid Courses: The committee still has serious concerns about providing developmental courses on-line. Barb suggested we try hybrid courses (part online and part on-campus) first. Judy Nordeen volunteered to research MnSCU to see if other campuses are currently offering developmental on-line, and if so, contact involved faculty to determine success in these courses.
3. Learning Communities: The first level of developmental reading, study skills, and writing will be offering one learning community for Spring Semester. Diane Beecher will be teaching READ 0450, Kristin Rust will teach STSK 0451, and Steve Dalager will teach ENGL 0450. The courses have been identified and are on the schedule, but the learning community message is not clear on the schedule. Beth said she would see if Jean could include a more specific message. Communities are being planned for the Fall in the second level of developmental courses, and Ann asked for feedback or recommendations on the number of communities that might be workable without causing confusion for registration, advisors, and students. Ann and Jeri Ann will be meeting with advisors soon to explain the Spring community.
4. Combining Reading I and Basic Study Skills: Ann asked if there was any objection or concerns about combining READ 0450 and STSK 0451 into a 5 credit class. Everyone agreed this was a good idea, so Ann will work to develop this course with other Reading faculty and begin the process through curriculum.
5. Learning Center Activities: Paula recently sent an e-mail to all faculty with an update on the LC. The committee was happy to hear Paula has been able to secure Jeanette Hepokoski, former LSC instructor, as an ESL volunteer for this semester. Jeanette will be available Tuesday afternoons from 2-4.
6. Institution first week drop for Developmental Students: John reported that at the conversation day break-out session on retention it was recommended that the institution automatically drop students who did not attend in the first three days of the semester. It was recommended that this be done on a trial basis with developmental students first, as those are the classes that students need most and are waiting to get in. Beth said in her experience this has been very difficult to do, mostly due to lack of cooperation from faculty. If all faculty do not participate, then the process is not equal. It was also brought up that it would need to be all inclusive, not just developmental, or again there would be a problem with equality. John and Judy said they would check around the state and see how other campuses are dealing with this issue.
7. Assessment Test Data: Joni shared information gathered from the New Student Assessment Test. The committee had requested numbers of students self-identifying that English is their second language. Joni found that for Fall 2003, 20 students self-identified on the test, and most scored into developmental courses. Other information provided by Joni included the number and percentage of all students scoring into developmental reading, writing, and math. Overall, 35% scored into a developmental reading class, 51% in developmental writing, and 55% in Pre-Algebra.
8. Advising: Recently many instructors have found students struggling in their classes. On further investigation it is often found these students have not followed their placement results, or are taking the developmental classes concurrently with college level courses. Sometimes this is an advising error, but more often than not it is the student making inaccurate choices on the computer either by accident or intentionally. Beth said registration is still trying to implement the computer blocks, but so far has not had much success.

The next meeting will be Monday, November 17, from 12:00-1:00 in the Academic Conference Room.

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