The kind of schooling that we give to students is the most important determinant of their future options in life.
Jonathan Kozol
The Site Visit is officially over!
March 23 - From President Givens:
Thanks
I commend West’s students, faculty, staff, and administrators for coming together to make the self study report and this visit another expression of our college’s vision:
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Through innovative programs and responsive community service,
West Los Angeles College empowers students to succeed.
The team affirmed our self study. They recognized and commended us for our revitalized environment, our positive energy and our willing spirit to take ownership of changes to improve student learning. Chancellor Serrano stated that “Students love West Los Angeles College. They recognize the quality and dedication of faculty in providing their education. For many of them, West is life-changing and gives them a sense that they have a future. The momentum has been created and the college needs to stay focused and to create action for our chosen future.”
On behalf of West Los Angeles College, our students, faculty, staff and administrators, we sincerely thank Chancellor Sandra Serrano and the accreditation team for the time and effort they spent looking closely at our self study report and our college. The work the accreditation team will greatly contribute to West’s on-going efforts to ensure, encourage, support and improve student learning outcomes.
Dr. Pacheco, former associate director of the Accrediting Commission, who worked with us on Monday, September 12, 2005, shared the following:
Good institutions are characterized by a commitment to the welfare of students, the faculty, and all of those who constitute the institution. They are characterized by willingness to change, to be truly collegial, and to keep both curriculum and student services current, viable, and of real service to students. [Good institutions] are characterized by their focus on imparting knowledge in a way that challenges and encourages everyone to stretch and grow and become contributing members to the greater good and the improvement of our society.
Dr. Givens reported in her letter to the Commission which accompanied the self study report:
Preparing the report led to a series of “Aha!” moments across the college. Individually, and in groups, we became acutely aware of the many ways student success and student learning outcomes underpin the mission and planning at West. The pursuit of SLOs has begun to drive classroom and lab instruction, student and college services, as well as committee work. Looking at our efforts through the prism of the new standards, we recognize the importance of data and evidence in developing informed policy and decision-making processes on campus.
While working collaboratively on the self study we witnessed a significant evolution among those who took the most active roles in the process. A ‘can-do’ attitude became apparent and ultimately our sense of community was significantly strengthened. The self- reflective dialogue sharpened and focused beyond that which we had been engaged in before we began this self study. As a result of this on-going dialogue, we are developing mechanisms to implement the results of the self study and measure our progress in meeting our goals.
As we transition from sign-off of our self-study report by the college President, the Chancellor, the Board of Trustees President Sylvia Scott-Hayes and college leaders, we are also transitioning from self-reflective dialogue to action on the planning agendas that grew out of the self study.
Planning agendas have been shared with the College Council, the College Planning Committee and the Academic Senate. Designated individuals, committees and governing bodies are actively engaged in applying the results of the self study by following up on their planning agendas on a worksheet developed to track the progress on the agendas. Thus, West nurtures and enhances the momentum generated over the past few months.
The upcoming Senate meetings scheduled for February 21st and March 14th will devote considerable time to discussing preparations for the visiting team. Thoughtful exchange will focus on faculty’s taking ownership of their planning agenda items. |
News:
- Photos of the visit:
- The Site Visit Schedule and Site Visit Team Bios are available.The Site Visit is March 21-23.
- Evidence Lists online
- February 7, 2006: The final version of the Self Study is available online.
- February 1, 2006: The Accreditation team pre-visit is scheduled.
- February 1, 2006: The final, pre-printer, version of the Self Study Report is available. This contains the updated evidence lists.
- December 14: Self Study Report presented to the Educational Programs and Student Success Committee of the LACCD Board of Trustees. Read the presentation handout.
- Nov. 30: Self Study Report submitted to the LACCD Board of Trustees
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