Student Academic Achievement Committee

Based on the evaluations of prior Assessment Happens (AH), the SAAC co-chairs (on advice of the committee) developed and facilitated the spring 2016 AH. Suggestions that were implemented were:

In Spring 2015 SAAC conducted its semester assessment in Technological Literacy, one of seven general education abilities at EMCC. Data was collected from 11 sections with 234 students in 2015, compared to 237 in 2012. 6 instructors implemented this assessment in 2015, as compared to 11 in 2012. The areas assessed in Technological Literacy were Data Management, References, Assignment Content, Communication, Layout, Embedded Objects, and Conventions. To see the breakdown of freshman vs. sophomores, see attached Ppt.

Based on the evaluations of prior Assessment Happens (AH), the SAAC co-chairs (on advice of the committee) implemented several changes to the Fall 2015 AH, including: 

In FALL 2014 EMCC/SAAC conducted its semester assessment in Critical Inquiry, one of seven general education abilities at EMCC. Data was collected from 12 sections with 273 students in 2014, representing a 17% increase over 2011. Classes administrating the assessment included CIS, ECN, MAT, PSY, and SOC. The areas assessed were Observation/Question, Identifying Hypothesis/Explanation, Planning, Analysis, and Conclusion/Solution.  Of the 273 students, 33% were new freshman, 30% were freshman/sophomore and 37% were sophomore (down from 52% in 2011).

In spring 2014 EMCC/SAAC conducted its semester assessment in Information Literacy, one of seven general education abilities at EMCC. Data was collected from 20 courses with 488 students in 2014, representing a 41% increase. Library Faculty Terry Meyer graded the assessments both years, providing a high level of inter-rater reliability. The areas assessed were Framing the Research Question, Accessing Resources, Evaluation of Information Resources, and Creating an Original Work. Five instructors assessed in both 2011 and 2014, which provided a higher level of comparable reliability.

The Comprehensive Assessment Tracking System ("CATS", found at http://cats.estrellamountain.edu) is a technology-based, fully-integrated system for sharing innovative teaching and assessment practices.  This open access system has revolutionized the way that EMCC employees share strategies to improve student learning. In short, CATS  is where Facebook® intersects with learning.  The system has been recognized as EMCC's "Innovation of the Year" by EMCC's Innovation of the Year committee.