Does Not Comply with ICRC Guidelines

REPORT OF THE OAR COMMITTEE REVIEW OF THE GREEN RIVER COMMUNITY COLLEGE 2006 – 2008 CATALOG & ADDENDUM

To: April Jensen, Executive Vice President of Instruction, Green River Community College From: Jeanne Gaffney, Chair, Ongoing Articulation Review (OAR) Committee Contact: 360.650.3966/ [email protected] Date: March 19, 2007 Cc: Joan Sarles, Chair, ICRC; Judy Burgeson, ICRC Representative, Green River Community College ______

The following report contains comments of the Ongoing Articulation Review (OAR) Committee members following their review of the 2006-2008 catalog of Green River Community College and addendum. OAR Committee members include chairperson Jeanne Gaffney, (Western Washington University); Scott Copeland (Centralia College); Sandra Fowler-Hill (Cascadia Community College); Keith Klauss (Eastern Washington University); Nancy Mullane (Whatcom Community College); Debbie Crouch (Seattle Pacific University); and Bruce Simpson (Central Washington University). The following comments represent the best attempt of this committee to provide feedback to the Green River Community College administration indicating where the institution appears to fall short of ICRC guidelines or where we agree degree requirements or advising materials could be clearer. Please note these comments are advisory and not a mandate for action. Questions about this report may be directed to OAR Chair Jeanne Gaffney at [email protected] or at 360.650.3966.

ASSOCIATE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES DEGREE (DTA) [Question DTA.7] On Page 50, the catalog lists four options for satisfying the Quantitative Skills requirement. Since the prerequisite for many of the mathematics courses listed under option one allows for completion of intermediate algebra, satisfactory score on the placement test score or instructor permission, the committee wondered what evidence students who were allowed to take the course via instructor permission would need to provide to satisfy this requirement of the DTA. If instructor give instructor’s permission to take any of the MATH course that has prereq of MATH 097, how do instructors determine their eligibility.

[Question DTA.10] DTA Guidelines state that no more than ten credits in one discipline can be counted towards the Humanities requirement. Given the list provided on Page 50, it appears students could take a Dance class for 3 credits, a Music class for 1 credit, and fulfill the 15 credit Humanities requirement with eleven credits from another single discipline. The Committee recommends including language about the ten credit restriction in the Humanities description (Section Two) on Page 50. [Question DTA.21] Committee members were surprised to find the following three courses included in the list of courses that will fulfill the Social Science requirement: . Business Administration 101, Business, Government & Society . Behavioral Science 175, Human Sexuality course cancelled . Geographic Information Systems 260, Introduction to Cartography (does not meet distribution any longer) The disciplines of Behavioral Science and GIS are not considered transferable by several of the community colleges and baccalaureate institutions represented on the OAR Committee and these courses will probably not be accepted outside the restricted elective area.

Based on the course descriptions, several Natural Resources courses appear to be transferable. Green River Community College may have sound reasons for including them in the restricted elective area only, but the committee would encourage a second review of some of these courses for transferability. Since 2005, NATRS 100 has been added to the list (per page 25-26, ICRC guidelines)

ASSOCIATE IN BUSINESS (AB-DTA) Many of the concerns outlined in the DTA report, especially as relates to the distribution areas, apply to the Business DTA as well. This summary includes only those areas unique to Business DTA requirements.

[Question AB.2] The Committee recommends including a statement that minimum GPA requirements vary among transfer institutions and may exceed the 2.00 required to earn the AB-DTA degree. Add notes to the planning guide or degree?

[Question AB.6] In addition to the planning guide note about varying universities foreign language admissions requirements, we recommend including a statement in the catalog that encourages students intending the international business major consult with their intended transfer institution regarding the level of world language required for admission to the major. Add notes to the planning guide or degree?

[Questions AB.11 and AB.13] The Committee recommends including a section in the catalog and/or planning guide that explains the differences in law course requirements and any additional admissions requirements for the major. Add notes to the planning guide or degree?

ASSOCIATE IN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION DTA Many of the concerns outlined in the DTA report, especially as relates to the distribution areas, apply to the Elementary Education DTA as well. This summary includes only those areas unique to Elementary Education DTA requirements. Add notes to the planning guide or degree?

[Question EL.7] Since coursework in art, music, literature and drama/theatre are components of the WEST-E test, we recommend stating that completing courses in these disciplines is preferable to some of the other options (i.e. photography, philosophy) for prospective elementary education students. Add notes to the planning guide or degree?

[Question EL.21] Guidelines for the Elementary Education DTA require that students be able to demonstrate computer literacy, skills that may be demonstrated through a portfolio of files gathered throughout their education. The Committee recommends Green River Community College’s advising materials include this information so students are prepared to demonstrate the required skills in word processing, Power Point and spreadsheets, in addition to Internet proficiency. Is this being met with EDUC 270 where students are required to have a portfolio however it does not say how students are preparing portfolio specifically.

[Question EL.22] The College’s catalog and degree worksheets should advise students that they must take the WEST-B in order to apply to teacher preparation programs. This is especially important as a delay in registering for and passing this test has implications for students’ ability to gain admission to baccalaureate teacher preparation programs. Add notes to the planning guide or degree?

ASSOCIATE IN MATH EDUCATION DTA While the Self Assessment document did not include the Associate in Math Education DTA, committee members did review the information included in Green River Community College’s catalog addendum and found no issues of concern.

ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE TRANSFER DEGREE (AS-T) OPTION 1 Many of the concerns outlined in the DTA report, especially as relates to the distribution areas, apply to the AS-T as well. This summary includes only those areas unique to AS-T Option 1 requirements.

[Question AST1.3] On Page 57, Math 126, Calculus and Analytic Geometry 3, is listed in both the Quantitative Skills area and the Natural Science distribution course list. The Catalog should indicate that, if completed, students are allowed to use the course towards satisfying only one of these areas. Add notes to the planning guide or degree?

[Question AST1.6] Committee members could find no mention in College materials that physics with calculus is required by many baccalaureate institutions and recommend including this important advising information. The Committee also noted that the prerequisite for the Physics 110/111/112 listed on Pages 202/203 (intermediate algebra or 1.5 years of high school algebra) was unusually low. Most institutions require college algebra or above which may affect the transferability of these courses towards major requirements. Add notes to the planning guide or degree?

[Question AST1.7] The Natural Sciences area on Page 57 includes many options including anatomy/physiology, engineering, and philosophy. We would encourage Green River to indicate that completing a 2-3 quarter sequence of courses in physics, geology, organic chemistry, biology or mathematics for science majors are preferable for students pursuing this associate degree. Already stated in our planning guide and degree

[Question AST1.10] The Committee was unclear why the College included a reference about using English 111, 112 or 113 in Section 5. (Electives) on Page 57. If these courses are going to be singled out for some reason, it should be made clear. In addition, students should be made aware that, if taken, one of these courses cannot be used in both the Communications area and the electives area of the AS-T Option I degree. Problem

[Question AST1.11] Committee members could find no mention that science sequences should not be broken up between institutions and encourage the College to include this important note in advising and degree planning materials. done

ASSOCIATE IN BIOLOGY EDUCATION (AS-T) Many of the concerns outlined in the AS-T Option 1 report apply to the Associate in Biology Education degree as well. This summary includes only those areas unique to Associate in Biology Education requirements.

[Question BE.1] Committee members recommend that advising materials indicate that this degree is recommended for future secondary education biology teachers. Add to PG or Degree or both

[Question BE.2] We also recommend including a statement that specific grade requirements and minimum GPA requirements vary from course to course and among transfer institutions and may exceed the 2.00 required to earn the Associate in Biology Education AS-T degree. Students should be encouraged to check with advisors for specific requirements at the intended transfer institution. Add to PG or Degree or both

[Question BE.9] Committee members could find no mention that science sequences should not be broken up between institutions and encourage the College to include this important note in advising and degree planning materials. done

ASSOCIATE IN CHEMISTRY EDUCATION (AS-T) Many of the concerns outlined in the AS-T and AS-T/MRP reports apply to the Associate in Chemistry Education degree as well. This summary includes only those areas unique to Associate in Biology Education requirements.

[Question CE.1] Committee members recommend that advising materials indicate that this degree is recommended for future secondary education chemistry teachers. Add to PG or Degree or both

[Question CE.2] We also recommend including a statement that specific grade requirements and minimum GPA requirements vary from course to course and among transfer institutions and may exceed the 2.00 required to earn the Associate in Chemistry Education AS-T degree. Students should be encouraged to check with advisors for specific requirements at the intended transfer institution. Add to PG or Degree or both

[Question CE.9] Committee members could find no mention that science sequences should not be broken up between institutions and encourage the College to include this important note in advising and degree planning materials. done

ASSOCIATE IN GENERAL SCIENCE EDUCATION (AS-T)

Many of the concerns outlined in the AS-T and AS-T/MRP reports apply to the Associate in General Science Education degree as well. This summary includes only those areas unique to Associate in General Science Education requirements.

[Question GS.1] Committee members recommend that advising materials indicate that this degree is recommended for future secondary education general science teachers. Add to PG or Degree or both

[Question GS.2] We also recommend including a statement that specific grade requirements and minimum GPA requirements vary from course to course and among transfer institutions and may exceed the 2.00 required to earn the Associate in General Science Education AS-T degree. Students should be encouraged to check with advisors for specific requirements at the intended transfer institution. Add to PG or Degree or both

[Question GS.9] Committee members could find no mention that science sequences should not be broken up between institutions and encourage the College to include this important note in advising and degree planning materials. done

ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE TRANSFER DEGREE (AS-T) OPTION 2 Many of the concerns outlined in the DTA report, especially as relates to the distribution areas, apply to the AS-T Option 2 degree as well. This summary includes only those areas unique to AS-T #2 requirements.

[Question AST2.6] Committee members could find no mention in College materials that physics with calculus is required by many baccalaureate institutions and recommend including this important advising information. Add to PG or Degree or both

[Question AST2.10] Committee members could find no mention that science sequences should not be broken up between institutions and encourage the College to include this important note in advising and degree planning materials. done

ASSOCIATE IN PHYSICS EDUCATION (AS-T) OPTION 2 Many of the concerns outlined in the DTA report, especially as relates to the distribution areas, apply to the Associate in Physics Education degree as well. This summary includes only those areas unique to Associate in Physics Education degree requirements. [Question PE.1] Committee members recommend that advising materials indicate that this degree is recommended for future secondary education physics teachers. Add to PG or Degree or both

[Question PE.2] We also recommend including a statement that specific grade requirements and minimum GPA requirements vary from course to course and among transfer institutions and may exceed the 2.00 required to earn the Associate in Physics Education AS-T degree. Students should be encouraged to check with advisors for specific requirements at the intended transfer institution. Add to PG or Degree or both

[Question PE.9] Committee members could find no mention that science sequences should not be broken up between institutions and encourage the College to include this important note in advising and degree planning materials. done

ASSOCIATE AS-T OPTION 2 While the Self Assessment document did not include the Associate in Math Education DTA, committee members did review the information included in Green River Community College’s catalog addendum and found no issues of concern.

Notwithstanding the issues as identified above, the OAR Committee finds that Green River Community College is substantially in compliance with adherence to the spirit and the letter of Washington Council and ICRC policy guidelines relating to the structure of the Direct Transfer Agreement associate degree, the Associate in Science Transfer #1 and #2 degrees and the Associate in Business DTA/MRP.