(441) Strategic Initiatives to Enhance Faculty Success in the Classroom

Objective: To develop a College-wide plan for faculty success in the classroom that includes evidence-based practices for instruction and assessment, alignment and coordination of instructional practices across the professional program, and transparency and accountability for students and instructors. A positive classroom experience increases student engagement, improves academic performance, and ultimately results in increased recognition for teaching excellence and innovation.

Methods: Three “standing” College committees (Assessment, Curriculum and Academic Standards), in conjunction with Student Services personnel and a Student Success Task Force, independently reviewed literature on instructional and assessment practices, discussed findings, and participated in the development of a college-specific plan to meet the objectives.

Results: A variety of components were selected for inclusion in the plan. These included, but were not limited to, addressing curricular overload, incorporating distinct learning units/modules within courses, implementing active learning strategies in every class session, incorporating layered case studies and low-stakes practice problems across all courses, offering review sessions, utilizing a minimum number and timely feedback on assessments, adopting a peer-review process of content, employing methods to monitor student performance, and developing a remediation plan for students who meet established criteria.

Conclusion: The College is committed to strategic initiatives that enhance faculty success in the classroom. Turning a plan into policy is critical in holding all stakeholders (faculty, staff and students) accountable to the level of commitment needed to achieve success in the classroom.