Institute/Session Summary:

Purpose:          

The purpose of this presentation is to describe the process of one institution’s efforts to change policies and procedures in order to increase student success for new, under-prepared students.

Learning  Outcomes:           

1. To understand the importance of bringing many stakeholders to the table as a part of the planning and implementation process
2. To understand possibilities for addressing the inevitable challenges of instigating institutional change
3. To understand the importance of commitment and perseverance in the change process

Outline:

1. Case study to illustrate history and context of original under-prepared new student process, and to experience the need for change
2. Development of Advocacy Paper
3. Establishing the growing components of the Pilot Project
4. Dealing with the glitches:
        a. Resolved problems
        b. Ongoing challenges
5. Piloting the Project against the tidal wave of systemic enigmas
6. Pioneers:  Student experiences with the Project
7. Lessons learned
8. Next steps for the evolution of the project

Significance to the Field:  

There is an urgent need for fundamental, transformational change in education in order to move from compartmentalization and isolation to a model   based on coherence, inter-connectedness, and interdependence. This session provides participants some understanding of the nuts and bolts of effecting institutional change, using the goal of increasing student success as the impetus for the needed changes.

Relevance to CRLA Members:         

As persons who work with learning assistance, developmental education and under-prepared students, CRLA members see the need for change in their institutions on a daily basis.  This session will provide participants with some approaches for dealing with change on a systemic, sustainable basis.

Media/ Materials:             

PowerPoint presentation and paper copies of slides will be provided. Handouts will also include copies of the paper that initiated the project and the final form of the Advocacy Paper, web page references, and a graphic demonstrating the integrated, systemic process developed campus-wide

Presenter1 Name: Fred Wieck
Presenter1 Institution: Paradise Valley Community College
Presenter1 Bio: Fred's degrees are in anthropology and counseling.  He  teaches courses in Leadership, Building Self Esteem, Stress Management, Caeer Exploration.  He has also developed and teaches a learning community at the Life Development Institute, a private institution for young adults with learning and other hidden disabilities.  He has a strong commitment to the Under-prepared Student Initiative at PVCC.

Presenter2 Name: Sally Rings
Presenter2 Institution: Paradise Valley Community College
Presenter2 Bio: Sally has served as co-director of the Learning Support Center at Paradise Valley Community College and helped to develop the tutor training program, which is certified by CRLA.  In addition to teaching reading and English classes, she initiated the learning communities program and co-coordinates the Under-Prepared Student Initiative. Her Ph.D. is in higher and adult education with an emphasis in reading.