MAC Meeting Minutes March 2007

MISSOURI ASSESSMENT CONSORTIUM

2 March 2007
Minutes
Chair, Delores Honey, Missouri Southern

Members Present:
Robin Adkison – MACC
Jeanie C. Crain – Western MO.
Janet Juhlin – SBU
Hillary Fuhrman – DHE
Mike Grelle - UCM
Martha Kirker – Missouri State
Kathy Marlock – Webster
Charles Van Middlesworth – MCC/KC
Rick Mihalevich – Linn State
Beth Nolte – Lincoln University
Ron Pennington – St. Charles Community College
Sue Piper – Truman State
Kandis Smith – University of Missouri
B.J. White – DHE

Commissioner Robert Stein

Agenda

1. Greetings From Robert Stein, Postponed until 11:15 a.m.
   
   Outcome: Dr. Stein commented and provided insight to MAC’s on the Consortium direction as well as the whitepaper.
   
   
2. MAC Whitepaper response and dissemination
   
   Outcome: The group proposed a title change of the paper to
   Guiding Principles on Assessment. It will be circulated among the MAC community for comment with return due by: April 6 2007.
   
   If there are no concerns, the paper will be forwarded to DHE to be put on their web site.
   
   Robert Stein indicated that the white paper is a foundation and that we need to take a look at accountability
   
   
3. Senate Bill 389 Progress to Date.
   
   Outcome: Robert Stein commented that the bill changes daily and that
   adoption of the whitepaper will help position MAC.
   
   Presidents and Chancellors are actively involved in working on the bill. Robert posed a few questions. What can we compare and how do we assess our comparisons? What is most helpful? What is the fairest of the comparisons?
   
   
4. Statewide Standardized Testing
   
   Outcome for CLA: Three institutions will continue using the CLA: MO. Western, KC Metro, UMSL, with two institutions undecided Truman and Missouri Southern.
   
   There are still some problems with administering the CLA, with the reports that are issued, and the costs. The CAOs met recently and discussed the CLA and do not endorse it.
   
   MAPP
   Outcome: Institutions participating: UMSL, SW Baptist, Truman, Missouri Southern, UMR. Missouri Southern is using the on-line version and the same company is supporting MAPP and CLA.
   
   Institutions have developed and continue to use their own assessment processes.
   
   Jeanie Crain from Missouri Western will look into the Missouri Value Added Student Learning Consortium and see where the balance of the money is.
   
   
5. Voluntary System of Accountability Project, Sue Pieper
   
   Outcome: Sue Pieper presented the VSA project to the group.
   Website: http://www.aascu.org/accountability/default.htm
   Joint project between AACSU and NASULGC
   
   
6. Retention Tracking
   
   Outcome: The question was raised: what are institutions doing to
   address retention? ACT scores appear to be rising, while students
   do not appear to be retained at the same positively increasing rate.
   
   Michael Cunningham explained the UMSL Center for Student Success and the early warning system they use. Ron Pennington discussed the idea of identifying a cohort and following them through the educational process. Mike Grelle also discussed used the CIRP data to identify behavioral patters as related to non- successful behaviors
   .
7. Are we sharing program/course outcomes to support transfer and decision making?
   
   The question was raised – are learning outcomes being used in transfer and articulation decisions? In General Education there is a matrix that is used detailing much course information. What about in the circumstance of 4 year to 4 year transfers?

Next Meeting
Friday, May 4th – 10:00
Martha Kirker - Host