About the Data
Storing and reviewing information about student learning.As the learning inquiry paradigm expands at MJC, the process will generate a wealth of data about learning in MJC courses, programs, services, and the institution overall. The data will be used to inform major college processes like program review, curriculum, planning and budgeting, and staffing. Also, the college is legally prepared to proceed with data gathering, as evidenced by the informed consent FERPA clause of the college catalog, which alerts students to their participation in educational research.
An Infrastructure for Data
At this time, Modesto Junior College has not determined how it will systematically and officially gather and house the data. However, many are already working independently without such a system by gathering, evaluating and storing learning data within courses, sequences, services and programs and using it to inform dialog with stakeholders in their immediate areas. In the semesters to come, the SLO Committee, in concert with the Academic Senate and College Administration, will convene to determine how learning data will be housed and circulated to best inform strategic planning and all of the above processes.
What's Happening Nationwide?
The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) recently prepared a special report, Accreditation and Accountability, in December 2006 which provided a sweeping overview of how data should be used to improve learning in colleges nationwide. While the document was prepared for accrediting bodies and college administrators, it recommends strategies to both accreditors and institutions on how data should be used and stored for the benefit of learning. In this report, CHEA recommends various models for gathering data to accrediting agencies (like WASC/ACCJC). Options include:
Program Review - in which expectations/objectives are determined by the institution or program, and direct evidence of learning is collected
Academic Audit - in which the effectiveness of student learning objectives is examined indirectly by looking at the adequacy of institutional or program processes for assuring quality
Academic Standards Audit - which checks the consistency and adequacy of grading standards as they relate to student work
Third-party certification - where student competency is examined directly by an external body.
(Updated May 14, 2007)
Educational Research and the
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA)From the 2007-2008 Modesto Junior College Catalog
Research, including assessment and evaluation of the teaching and learning process, will be conducted at Modesto Junior College in established or commonly accepted educational settings and will involve normal educational practices. Information gathered related to your knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors will be kept anonymous and/or confi dential, and your participation exposes you to no or minimal risk of harm. By enrolling and attending Modesto Junior College courses, you have volunteered as subjects, have been fully informed, and given your consent to participate in education-based research. If the research parameters change, you will be fully informed of the changes. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) is a federal law regarding the privacy of student education records and the obligations of the institution, primarily in the areas of release of the records and the access provided to these records. You are protected under both FERPA law and the Human Subjects Review process.
The content of this page is provided by the MJC Student Learning Outcomes Committee
For questions regarding the content of this page contact Letitia Senechal, MJC SLO Facilitator.