ACTION PLAN
BACKGROUND
Since joining Achieving the Dream (ATD) in 2006-07, the Community College of Allegheny County (CACC) has implemented many policy changes and initiatives to help students succeed. CCAC became an ATD Leader College in 2011 by demonstrating a commitment to the four principles of Achieving the Dream and documenting sustained improvement on the number of students who successfully completed their developmental coursework within two years. CCAC’s experience with ATD has served to highlight the issues related to the challenges faced by developmental students, as well as the challenges faced by the college in providing an appropriate array of supports and interventions in order to help these students successfully complete their courses.
GOAL STATEMENT
Through the Roadmap Project, the Community College of Allegheny County will integrate existing student success initiatives so that each complements and builds upon the others to streamline student progress from a Strong Start to a Great Finish.
Bridges to Success is designed to guide students to educationally-purposeful behavior. This means:
•Ensuring a strong start by preparing students for success in the first term;
•Being intentional, providing services that support progress and the achievement and celebration of key milestones; and
•Ensuring that critical engagement opportunities are part of every student’s experience.
COMMUNICATION STRATEGY
Team members will identify the types of information and recipients to create a detailed communication plan.
Communication Plan / Types of information (→)Recipients (↓) / How:
What:
When:
By Whom: / How:
What:
When:
By Whom: / How:
What:
When:
By Whom:
CORE TEAM ACTIONS AND TIMELINE
Action / Purpose/Details / WhenDevelop a goal statement / Helps the team communicate the purpose and keeps the project on track / August 2013
Create a common language / Ensures consistent communication / September 2013
> Consider team composition/select team members / Assemble a team with the rightbalance of attributes and skills, ensure cross-divisional collaboration / Sept – Oct 2013
Orientnew team members / Help people understand their roles / Fall 2013
Submit budget / AAC&U deadline / November 15, 2013
Develop measures / Collaborate with data partners to develop definitions and measures / Fall 2013
Develop a communication plan / Determine what needs to be communicated to whom, when and how. / Fall 2013
Submit update / AAC&U deadline / May 2, 2014
Submit report / AAC&U deadline / June 30, 2014
Assessment of first year / Monitor implementation, collect feedback, use assessment data to make improvements / 2014-15
Assessment of second year / Monitor changes, collect feedback, use assessment data to make improvements / 2015-16
( = completed; > = in progress)
RECOMMENDED TIMELINE FOR CAMPUS WORK
Action / Who / WhenAudit existing processes / Deans of Student Development , Student Services Staff and Deans of Academic Affairs / Spring 2013
Students will create academic maps based on their experience at CCAC / ART 250 students / Fall 2013
(mid-term)
Review student maps / Cross-functional Roadmap team / Fall 2013
Review audit materials / Cross-functional Roadmap team / Fall 2013
Create a prototype academic map / Cross-functional Roadmap team / Late Fall 2013/ Early Spring 2014
Share prototype, get input from college community (including students) / Cross-functional Roadmap team / Spring 2014
Finalize product / Cross-functional Roadmap team / Late Spring 2014
Deliver product to marketing for printing / Cross-functional Roadmap team / June 2014
( = completed; > = in progress)
EVIDENCE OF SUCCESS (How will we know we’re making progress?)
- Successful completion of first term
- Achievement of milestones (15 CR, 30 CR, 45 CR, completion)
- Improve the two-year gateway course completion rates for students who place into developmental English.
September 2013