What's up everyone! So... did the title set the hook in you? That was my homage to the upcoming fishing opener by the way! Anyhow, this is a serious topic I am writing about today. Could MNSCU decide to mandate assessment to the individual programs within the institutions that comprise it? What would be involved in this prescription? What can we do? Let's take a look at these topics in a bit more in depth.
Can and will MNSCU mandate assessment to individual programs system-wide? If this were Jeopardy, the answer would be, "Alex, what is yes!" Assessment is being mandated to some technical programs at this time. It is currently a pilot study that encompasses five programs statewide, including Business, Financial Management, and Accounting, Therapeutic Health, Law Enforcement, Network Systems, and Plant Systems. It is slated to be expanded... how wide will this expand? Good question! A part of this is the mandated assessment of core competencies utilizing standardized assessment tools.
If you go to the website linked below, you will find more information and an example on this topic:
http://www.cte.mnscu.edu/programs/Tech%20Skill%20Asses/MN_Business_Accounting_Public_Fi.pdf
Okay... we've tied down the fact that MNSCU can and has "mandated" assessment of some programs, with more to come. The next question is equally pressing: what is involved in this prescription of assessment? Well, this is a sticky situation, Alex! Essentially, MNSCU and the Department of Education determined core competencies for the programs listed above, hopefully with input from program faculty members. These core competencies are the competencies that will need to be assessed. What does this mean for those in the programs, such as accounting? It means that you'll need to ensure that your core competencies are in line with those MNSCU core competencies. Does this mean that you start "teaching to the test?" Good question. It hinges on what is done with the results of the assessments carried out.
If you go to the website linked below, you will find more information on this topic:
http://www.cte.mnscu.edu/programs/Tech%20Skill%20Asses/CTE_Asessment_Background_Report,.pdf
And now, the final question: what can we do? First and foremost, if you get an email survey from the Department of Education or MNSCU, take the time to complete it, as they may be seeking input on those core competencies. Also, research the links above to see why this is being carried out before rhetoric starts flying around.
Quite honestly, I do not like what I'm seeing here. But I do see why it is happening. I am just the messenger- a blogger. An assessment coordinator. A faculty member.
Happy Days,
Wayne Whitmore
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